Early Childhood Education Specialist - Lead Instructor (Part-time)

POSITION SUMMARY: World Relief Chicagoland Adult Education serves adult students at every stage of their language learning journey, including career specific language classes, job readiness for first-time employed, leveled general English classes, and literacy and schooling support. For in-person classes in Lombard, IL, learners are invited to bring their children to participate in Early Childhood Learning while their parents are engaged in English language learning, with family literacy as a core goal of the program. The role of the Early Childhood Education Specialist is to prepare children to be successful in an elementary classroom environment by implementing curriculum that reflects the Illinois State Readiness Measures in developing a child’s knowledge, skills, and behaviors across learning domains.  This position will coordinate paid, volunteer staff, and practicum students in creating and maintaining a nurturing, culturally sensitive, and English language-rich classroom, as well as playing a key role in connecting staff and volunteers to immigrant and refugee families so that the entire family can be served in reaching their educational and family literacy goals. This is a part-time position of 20 hours per week, with 3 days on site and 2 work from home days.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Coordination of Instruction

Prepare multi-level daily lesson plans, utilizing the WR Early Childhood Curriculum

Facilitate staff, practicum students, and volunteers in utilizing appropriate educational materials to enhance curriculum concepts

Integrate fine and gross motor activities into the language rich learning environment

Develop social skills and interactions among the children

Encourage English language development 

Cleanliness and Safety

Provide physical care for children considering developmental and safety concerns

Prepare, serve, and clean-up snack

Set up and clean all materials using appropriate storage

Instruct children and their families in safety, nutrition, and hygiene 

Interaction with Children

Encourage development of age-appropriate play

Create a learning environment that is welcoming, safe, nurturing, friendly and fun

Engage children in conversation 

Volunteer Engagement & Practicum Training

Manage and welcome volunteers in the classroom, and provide direction and specific tasks

Train, delegate tasks, and grade practicum students on their work with the children and specified projects

Ensure that the classroom is properly staffed with volunteers through 1) coordinating a replacement for an absent volunteer, and 2) communicating volunteer needs to the Adult Education Site Coordinator on a regular basis. 

Communication and Teamwork

Pursue good working relationships with the Early Childhood team, the Adult Education staff, and World Relief Chicagoland staff

Report working hours and report children’s attendance

Communicate with children’s parents to include them in the learning process

Direct concerns regarding students or parents to Director of Children & Youth and the Student Support Manager in Adult Education

Show flexibility and patience when interacting with children, parents, staff, adult learners, and volunteers

Attend team, staff, and departmental meetings 

Cross-train with Children & Youth Department 

Perform other duties as requested by the Student Support Services Manager

Supervision

This role is responsible for supervising others and includes responsibilities consistent with supervising employees, including but not limited to monitoring daily work activities, tracking and approving timesheets including approving time off, monitoring performance including entering goals, progress check-ins, and weekly or bi-weekly check-ins, documenting performance concerns, entering staff promotions, transitions, and separations in HRIS within required time frame. Managers at World Relief are also considered spiritual leaders and are expected to lead staff in a manner consistent with our Christian values, including but not limited to praying with staff, leading devotionals, and fostering a Christian environment in interactions with staff throughout World Relief.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Mature and personal Christian faith

Committed to the mission, vision, and values of World Relief

Desire to serve and empower the Church to impact vulnerable communities

Able to affirm and/or acknowledge World Reliefs , , and

Degree required in the field of Early Childhood Education, Family Studies & Human Development, Elementary Education, or related 

Access to own transportation to commute to/between educational and office sites 

At least 2 years of experience related to the duties and responsibilities specified  

Experience or interest in working with immigrant and refugee children 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Bilingual strongly preferred. Fluency in other languages is a plus.

Previous involvement with early childhood programs strongly preferred.

Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills.

Able to handle multiple tasks and keep deadlines.

Strong organizing and coordinating skills.

Ability to work independently.

Microsoft Office proficiency

Flexible and adaptable

Experience working with volunteers