Head Start/PFA PEL – Teacher II or III ($3,000 signing bonus for BA/ECE Credential Level 5 ; $5,000 signing bonus for PEL)

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. Easterseals also directly operates two Early Learning Centers in Head Start/Early Head Start in Chicago and in Hickory Hills.

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

The primary responsibility of the Teacher II or Teacher III is to provide early care and education to children in the classroom ages three to five years; serve as the lead teacher and facilitator of the classroom teaching team; 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. Position assignment requires Preschool for All/Head Start teacher to be assigned to two classrooms per day at privately owned childcare partners of Easterseals. Position requires traveling to another classroom/site daily.

$3,000 Signing Bonus without PEL, $5,000 Signing Bonus with PEL- bonus offer expires at the end of April 2023.

This position is located at the Easterseals Early Learning Services Headquarters at 1939 W. 13th Street, Chicago 60608.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Implement the Head Start/ Preschool for All programs
• Serve as a leader for the classroom team and provide guidance
• Ensure the implementation of developmentally appropriate practice within the classroom, including utilizing materials and studies from the Creative Curriculum
• Facilitate with the classroom teaching team the creation of an inclusive environment where children can learn
• Facilitate with the classroom teaching team the creation and implementation of group lesson plans
• Research new ideas, methods, resources and materials for lesson plans
• 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
• Provide an safe environment for children at all times by implementing active supervision practices
• Implement screenings and assessments and reporting of outcomes for children
• Communicate with parents/families and report child progress through scheduled parent-teacher conferences and home visits
• Initiate referrals for children who might benefit from further evaluation
• Participate in the referral process by documenting observations and interventions attempted in the classroom
• Participate in Individual Education Program (IEP) meetings
• Work closely with consultants and other Easterseals personnel
• Individualize for all children, including children with diagnosed disabilities
• Support social emotional development through the use of the pyramid model
• Utilize data from child outcomes, screenings, and IEPs to guide lesson planning for individual children and for the group
• Maintain care of classroom equipment and supplies, control inventory, and report all repairs needed
• Promote an atmosphere of teamwork where staff, parents and children interact positively with each other
• Participate in all required and recommended trainings, including Teaching Strategies GOLD, Creative Curriculum, and CLASS trainings
• Participate in all required and recommended meetings
• Support agency’s School Readiness goals and track progress towards goals
• Train and participate in evaluations for classroom team
• Complete an ongoing professional development plan
• Participate in Coaching to Fidelity
• Prepare reports on classroom activities, including attendance records
• All other duties as assigned

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor’s Degree Required
• Teacher III: Professional Educator License (PEL) with Early Childhood Education endorsement. (10-month position; receives 8-week summer break, 2- week assigned winter break, and 1- week assigned spring break)
• Teacher II: Gateways Level 5 ECE Credential, with PEL expected by 2023

Experience Required:

• Knowledge of child development
• Experience with Head Start
• Experience with Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies GOLD preferred

Vehicle/Transportation Requirements:

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

Skills/Abilities:

• Team player with strong people skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Leadership skills
• Ability to work well with all levels of the organization
• Excellent organization and supervisory skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects
• Proficient in MS Office

Within 90 days of employment, you 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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