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

The primary responsibility of the Head Start PFA/PEL Teacher 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.

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

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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 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
• Ensure that all children are safe 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 with special needs
• Participate in Individual Education Program (IEP) meetings
• Work closely with consultants and other Easterseals personnel
• Individualize for all children, including children with diagnosed disabilities
• Utilize data from child outcomes, screenings, and IEPs to guide lesson planning for individual children and for the group
• Take proper care of classroom equipment and supplies, maintain an inventory, and report all repairs needed
• Promote an atmosphere of teamwork where staff, parents, and children interact positively with each other
• Attend and complete the required and recommended training, including Teaching Strategies GOLD, Creative Curriculum, and CLASS training
• Attend required and recommended meetings
• Support agency’s School Readiness goals and track progress toward goals
• Train and participate in evaluations for classroom team
• Complete an ongoing professional development plan
• Participate in Coaching for Fidelity
• Prepare reports on classroom activities, including attendance records
• All other duties as assigned

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor’s Degree Required
• Professional Educator License (PEL) with Early Childhood Education endorsement preferred PEL preferred but minimum of a Gateways Level 5 ECE credential required, with completion of a PEL by 2023

Experience Required:

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

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

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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