Preschool Teacher

We are looking for an outstanding early childhood educator to join our staff as a Co-Teacher in our 2's & 3's classroom. This teacher will be responsible for the care and education of young children every morning each week over the course of our nine-month school year.

Responsibilities

-Plan and implement engaging curriculum through collaboration with their Co-Teacher

-Work closely with parents, the Co-Directors, and other early childhood specialists (if necessary) to meet the needs of their individual students.

-Establish and maintain a safe and healthy learning environment

-Support social & emotional development and incorporate positive guidance; provide children with opportunities to develop self-confidence and build social skills

-Plan and implement both child-initiated and teacher-initiated activities that promote early language & literacy development, the acquisition of number concepts, scientific exploration, fine & gross motor skills, and process rather than product-oriented creative art experiences

-Establish relationships with parents through informal and formal methods of communication: daily interactions, emails, phone calls, and parent-teacher conferences throughout the school year

-Use the Seesaw App to share classroom happenings and photos of children at school, including written newsletters explaining the developmental significance of ongoing activities and experiences

-Complete developmental checklists and other informal assessments to better understand the needs of individual students, and use these assessments to inform parents & help them seek special services if needed

-Participate in ongoing professional development, attend all staff meetings, and be a supportive colleague

Qualifications

-Successful completion of a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or Child Development from an accredited college or university.

-Experience teaching preschool or kindergarten, preferably with knowledge of emergent, inquiry-based learning

-Knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices for young children

-Speaks fluent English with excellent verbal and written communication skills

-Must have sufficient mobility and strength to be able to lift a child off of the floor/ground, sit on the floor to be at eye level with the children, and quickly reach an endangered or hurt child

-Ability to maintain visual and/or audible contact with children at all times

-Willingness to comply with all early childhood teacher requirements of the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services and ExceleRate Illinois.