Easterseals Early Learning Center- Gilchrist Marchman in Chicago provides inclusive early childhood and education services for children between the ages of six weeks to five years of age. The Center is a part of Easterseals broader programming in Head Start/Early Head Start. Easterseals Head Start/Early Head Start provides high-quality, family-centered education for children birth to five years old. We collaborate with 40+ early childhood programs located in the city of Chicago and suburban Cook County to promote school readiness in young children of all abilities from families with incomes below poverty guidelines. In addition to the Gilchrist Marchman location, Easterseals also directly operates an Early Learning Center in Hickory Hills. 

 For more information about our organization, please visit us online at www.eastersealschicago.org.    

The primary responsibility of the Teacher Aide is to provide early care and education to children in the classroom ages 0-3 and 3-5 years; serve as a support for the teachers and classroom teaching team; assist them to create an environment that is engaging and stimulating; recognize that children are best understood and supported in the context of family, culture, community and society. 

This position is located at Easterseals Early Learning Center- Hickory Hills at 8020 W. 87th St., Hickory Hills, IL 60457.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Work as part of the classroom team to implement the program objectives.
• Assist the teaching team to ensure the implementation of developmentally appropriate practice within the classroom, including utilizing materials and studies from the Creative Curriculum.
• Assist the teaching team to ensure that all children within the classroom have sufficient, high-quality observations, maintain up-to-date documentation in COPA, Teaching Strategies GOLD, child education files and child portfolios.
• Assist the teaching team to ensure the implementation of developmentally appropriate practice within the classroom, including utilizing materials and studies from the Creative Curriculum.
• Assist the teaching team to facilitate the creation of an inclusive environment where children can learn, including supporting children with delays and disabilities.
• Provide input to the teaching team to guide lesson planning for the group or individual children.
• Assist the teaching team to ensure that all children within the classroom have sufficient, high-quality observations, assist in maintaining documentation in TS Gold, child education files and child portfolios.
• Provide a safe environment for children at all times by implementing active supervision practices.
• Provide input to the teaching team regarding child progress and participate with the teaching team in scheduled parent-teacher conferences and home visits.
• Initiate referrals for children who might benefit from further evaluation, including documenting observations and interventions attempted in the classroom. 
• Review Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) and carry through with strategies in the classroom.
• Work closely with consultants, site staff, and other Easterseals personnel as part of the classroom teaching team. 
• Support social emotional development through the use of the pyramid model. 
• Maintain care of classroom equipment and supplies, control inventory, and report all repairs needed.
• Participate in all required and recommended trainings and meetings. 
• Support agency’s School Readiness goals.
• Train and participate in evaluations for classroom team. 
• Complete an ongoing professional development plan, including Coaching to Fidelity.
• Complete professional development both on and off-site. 
• All other duties as assigned.

Minimum qualifications: 

• DCFS teacher qualifications
• Gateway Level 1 ECE Credential

Education/Certification Preferred:

• A minimum of 30 college semester credits overall with a minimum of 15 semester credits in ECE, 
• or an infant-toddler CDA (Child Development Associate)

Experience Required:

• Experience in an Early Head Start, Prevention Initiative or NAEYC-accredited 0-3 classroom is a plus.

Skills/Abilities:

• Bilingual skills may be required or preferred based on the needs of the program.
• Must have the ability to create a classroom atmosphere in which children can develop physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially and creatively.
• Able to work well with staff, families, other agencies and funding source personnel.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Well-organized, detail-oriented and accuracy-driven.
• Able to manage multiple projects.
• Excellent computer skills.

ADA: Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Unless exempted by the Americans with Disabilities Act, all persons hired for this position are required to possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to treat clients, i.e., bending, floor-sitting, etc., as well as to have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.

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