At Easterseals of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford, we are committed to two – often interconnecting - pillars of work……early learning and disability. Through these pillars, we transform the lives of early learners and individuals of all abilities through access to expert educational, family, and community support. As an affiliate of America’s largest nonprofit health care organization, we have proudly served the communities and families of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford since 1936. 

Our Head Start / Early Head Start program provides high-quality, family centered education for children from birth to age 5. We collaborate with 35+ early childhood programs to support families in Chicago and suburban Cook County.   Together, Easterseals and these Partner Sites promote school readiness in young children of all abilities from families with incomes below poverty guidelines. 

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

We are seeking a full-time Early Childhood Traveling Teacher to join our talented and passionate team.  This position supports our Partner Sites by providing temporary classroom coverage in Head Start and Early Head Start classrooms.  Assignments last 4 weeks on average but may be shortened or extended to meet the needs of children, families, and staff.  Once an assignment is completed, the Early Childhood Traveling Teacher will begin a new assignment at another Partner Site.

This position will travel to Partner Sites throughout the Chicagoland area, including City of Chicago and suburban locations.   Travel times can range from 30 minutes to an hour between sites, depending on traffic.   The Traveling Teacher will be eligible for mileage reimbursement.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Demonstrates knowledge of Creative Curriculum. Ability to utilize Creative Curriculum system.
• Demonstrates knowledge of Teaching Strategies GOLD. Ability to utilize Teaching Strategies GOLD online system.
• Leads classroom team in creating a developmentally appropriate environment
• Supervises all activities of the children at all times.
• Account for children using Active Supervision.
• Supports the quality of the classroom by working in partnership with other classroom staff.
• Attend and/or complete required and recommended trainings.
• Attend required and recommended meetings.
• Complete an ongoing professional development plan.
• Support agency’s school readiness goals.
• Supervises and provides guidance to other classroom personnel
• Researches new curriculum methods and reinforcement materials
• Shares responsibility for cleaning up after all classroom activities. Assumes over-all responsibility for proper care of classroom equipment and supplies
• Recommends maintenance and repairs as needed in the classroom to maintain safety compliances.
• Generate and implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans.
• Utilize child outcome data to guide lesson planning and developmentally appropriate activities
• Participate in Coaching to Fidelity.
• Participate in Individual Educational Plan (IEP) and/or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) meetings.
• Prepares reports on classroom activities, including attendance records.
• Utilizes Individual Educational Plan (IEP) and/or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) to support children with disabilities.
• Works closely with consultants and other Easter Seals staff personnel.
• Travel to other classrooms and/or sites, as needed, to serve as the teacher or teacher assistant.
• All other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Certification:

• EHS/PI only: Minimum of an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and working towards Gateways Level 4.
• Both HS/PFA and EHS/PI: Must meet Head Start Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education (ECE) or Bachelor’s degree in another related field with at least 30 hours in ECE.

o Infant Toddler Coursework Required, Infant Toddler Credential Preferred.

o Working towards Gateways Credential Level 5- Early Childhood Education

o Working towards Gateways Infant/Toddler Credential Level 5.

Experience Required:

• Experience as a teacher in an early childhood classroom.

Required Knowledge:

• MS Office.

Vehicle/Transportation Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license.
• Auto insurance.
• Reliable vehicle.

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.
• Well-organized, detail-oriented and accuracy-driven.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Able to manage multiple projects.

Within 90 days of employment, must obtain and continually maintain basic first aid and pediatric CPR certification (or sooner if required by local/state regulations). Acceptable tuberculosis screening results, a clear criminal records check (including child abuse registry checks), and an initial health exam are required post job offer and prior to employment. Current and former Head Start/Early Head Start parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.

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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