Preschool Lead Teacher (Private Sector) - Sign on hiring incentive upon hire $500 and another upon c

Since 1870, Erie Neighborhood House has provided the most comprehensive support immigrant and low-income families in Chicago need to thrive and has constantly evolved to meet their needs. Today, Erie House is a modern social services nonprofit with programming and resources for children and youth, mental health and community wellness, adult education and training, legal services, and more. Through these programs, we empower the people we work alongside to build powerful communities.

Erie Neighborhood House, a progressive social service agency serving the Chicago metropolitan area and dedicated to promoting a just and inclusive society, is seeking a Lead Preschool Teacher to work in our NAEYC accredited Childcare Program.

In return to your commitment to Erie House and its mission to the community, you will enjoy excellent professional development opportunities, opportunity for growth, and have direct impact in building powerful communities. Be a part of one of the oldest and most respected Settlement House in the Chicago Land Area.

Reporting to the Site Director, the Lead Teacher’s basic function is to be responsible for actively leading the classroom team in the education, care and general development of the children following DCFS licensing, NAEYC, and Head Start performance standards.

Position Responsibilities:

• The Lead Teacher is responsible to partner with the classroom team to provide developmentally and culturally appropriate lesson plans for the classroom
• Working alongside the Site Director, the Lead Teacher will provide discipline and feedback on performance review to the Teacher Assistant.
• Promotes recognition, acceptance and positive interactions among children, families and staff in the classroom
• Welcomes parents into the classroom and works to develop a positive relationship
• Uses active supervision techniques to supervise children at all times
• Acts as an ambassador for the Erie Neighborhood House Child Care program
• Opens/closes the classroom for the day as assigned
• Remains in the classroom to supervise children whose parents pick up late
• Acts as Director Designee for the center as assigned
• Meets at least monthly with the Site Director for supervision and support
• Enters documentation into My Teaching Strategies on a weekly basis
• Completes My Teaching Strategies checkpoints according to the education timeline
• Meets with Assistant Teachers monthly to provide supervision and support
• Conducts monthly classroom team meetings
• Participates in recruitment of children and families for Erie House programs
• Meets with Family Advocate staff quarterly to discuss strengths and needs of families
• Participates in transition meetings
• Maintains a current Gateways Registry membership
• Maintains five hours of Gateways approved training per program year
• Completes 20 hours of professional development training per program year
• Completes two home visits per program year according to the education timeline
• Completes parent teacher conferences according to the education timeline
• Attends monthly staff meetings, agency meetings, and in-service trainings
• Responsible for the program complying with Erie, the Board of Education and all State licensing requirements and performance standards, including promoting the health and safety of all children, following sanitation procedures and universal precautions, completing a bi-annual physical exam, complying with the Confidentiality and Child Abuse and Neglect Act as a mandated reporter, as well as the American with Disabilities Act and Erie’s Inclusion Policy
• Other duties as assigned

• BA ECE with Gateways Level 5 or in school to obtain BA
• Must obtain an Illinois Gateway Early Childhood Education credential level 5 (Working to obtain a PEL)
• Bilingual/bicultural Spanish preferred
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Physical constraints required include, but not limited to, the ability to lift and carry children and other items weighing up to 50 pounds including evacuation of the building during emergencies.
• Demonstrates the following qualities: self-motivated, self-directed, follows directions, makes good judgments, creative, reliable, and dependable.
• Exhibits sincere interest in working with children and is knowledgeable regarding children's development and growth.
• Proof of eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Upon offer of employment, must complete all forms related to hiring, including Erie’s application and employment status and 3 letters of recommendation. In addition, must complete all DCFS forms, including a Criminal Background Check, Fingerprinting and a Child Abuse and Neglect Background Check.

TEAM MEMBER BENEFITS

• Compensation of $40,000-$45,000 salary ($19.23 - $21.63 an hour) based on experience
• Work / life integration
  • Generous paid time off

(examples below for full-time employment)

• 12 accrued sick days per year
• 3 personal days
• Paid birthday off
• 8 paid holidays, including Juneteenth
• In addition to above paid holidays, paid week off between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day
• Vacation
  • Year 1 = 8 days
  • Year 2 = 13 days
  • Year 3 + = 20 days
• Access to alternative and flexible work schedules and personal leave, where possible
• Two-weeks fully paid Parental Leave, for eligible employees
• Time off for school conferences and activities as well as bereavement leave
• Professional Development
  • Employer-sponsored learning and development programs
  • Paid day off annually for personal professional development
  • Tuition Assistance & Debt Relief Program, as budget allows
  • DEI Council-sponsored education and engagement series
• Wellness support
  • Employer-sponsored health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Employer-paid life insurance
  • Voluntary life and AD&D and shot and long-term disability
  • Flexible Spending Accounts for medical, vision and dependent care
  • 403b with employer match
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Yoga, Zumba and Book Club, when onsite

CBU STATUS: Union / Non-Exempt

Sign on hiring incentive upon hire $500 and another upon completion of 90 days.

Erie Neighborhood House is dedicated to creating a workforce that promotes and supports diversity and inclusion. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals without discrimination. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact us at hr@eriehouse.org.

NO TELEPHONE CALLS PLEASE!

MUST BE A MEMBER OF AFSCME OR JOIN AFTER 30 DAYS

ERIE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

ACCREDITED BY NAEYC & NATIONAL AFTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

RECOGNIZED BY DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE;

UNITED WAY MEMBER