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 from 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 is to provide early care and education to children in the classroom ages 0-3 years; serve as teacher and facilitator in 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.

This position is located at the Easterseals Gilchrist Marchman Child Development Center at 1312 S. Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60608.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Implement the Early Head Start/ Prevention Initiative programs.
• Serve as a leader for the classroom team and provide guidance. Promote an atmosphere of teamwork where staff, parents and children interact positively with each other.
• 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, including supporting children with delays and disabilities.
• Utilize the Creative Curriculum, data from child outcomes, screenings, and IFSPs to guide lesson planning for the group or individual children.
• Ensure that all children within the classroom have sufficient, high-quality observations, and maintain up-to-date documentation in COPA, ChildPlus, Teaching Strategies GOLD, child education files, and child portfolios.
• Provide a safe environment for children at all times by implementing active supervision practices.
• Complete screenings and ongoing assessments to demonstrate 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, including documenting observations and interventions attempted in the classroom.
• Participate in Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) meetings and carry through with strategies in the classroom.
• Work closely with consultants, site staff, and other Easterseals personnel.
• 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 the 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.

Education/Certification:

• AA degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) with Infant/Toddler Credential Level 4.
• Preferred Qualifications: BA degree in ECE with Infant/Toddler Credential Level 5.

Required Knowledge:

• Knowledge of child development.

Essential Job Functions:

• Normal visual acuity (corrected)
• Normal hearing (corrected)
• Ability to lift 50+ pounds

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with Early/Head Start Prevention Initiative Program.
• Experience with Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies GOLD.

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 problem solve and manage multiple projects.
• Proficient in MS Office.
• Bilingual skills may be required or preferred based on the needs of the programWithin 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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