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 healthcare organization, we have proudly served the communities and families of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford since 1936.

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

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

The HS-EHS Teacher–Float (Floating Teacher) supports the center primarily by providing coverage for teacher time off and providing other classroom support as needed. The Floating Teacher is also required to maintain director credentials and serve as director on a limited basis as needed if the Director and Assistant Director are unavailable. The Floating Teacher must be flexible and equally comfortable teaching varying age groups of children. As an HS/PFA and EHS/PI Teacher, the Floating Teacher implements program objectives and services in compliance with the Head Start Program Performance Standards, the Head Start Act, and the Illinois State Board of Education requirements by being part of a teaching team and providing support to the teaching team with all classroom activities. This position contributes to the development of the center educational plan geared to meet the needs of each individual child enrolled in the program in accordance with NAEYC, and Head Start Performance Standards and implements the center plan within the classrooms as assigned.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Support classroom coverage for PTO, plan time, coaching sessions, and additional classroom support as needed.
• Complete screenings and assessments and maintain data in both ChildPlus and Teaching Strategies Gold. Demonstrate knowledge of Creative Curriculum and ability to use the Creative Curriculum system. Demonstrate knowledge of Teaching Strategies GOLD and ability to use the Teaching Strategies GOLD online system.
• Implement active supervision systems, ensuring the active supervision and safety of children so that no child is ever left alone or unsupervised.
• Create a classroom atmosphere in which children can develop physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and creatively, and support the classroom team in creating a developmentally appropriate environment.
• Create an inclusive environment that supports children with disabilities, social-emotional needs, and challenging behaviors, ensuring all children feel welcomed and supported.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate lesson plans.
• Modify curriculum and individualize lesson plans for children with disabilities based on IEP goals.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with parents and implement strategies to engage parents in the children’s development and learning.
• Share screening results with parents and ensure re-screenings, referrals, and follow-ups are conducted as needed.
• Promptly address parental questions, concerns, and complaints and proactively report complaints and concerns to center leadership.
• Participate in Coaching to Fidelity as needed.
• Support the quality of the classroom by working in partnership with leadership, other classroom staff, and consultants.
• Attend and/or complete required and recommended training and meetings.
• Actively invest in your own development and complete an ongoing professional development plan.
• Support the center in maintaining the highest levels in ExeleRate and NAEYC Accreditation.
• Ensure that the center is a clean and safe learning environment for all children. Share responsibility for cleaning up after all classroom activities and assume overall responsibility for proper care of classroom equipment and supplies.
• Support the center’s school readiness goals.
• Complete a minimum of 15 hours of continuing education per year.
• All other duties as assigned.

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education (ECE) or in another related field with at least 30 hours in ECE.
• Gateway Early Childhood Credential Level 4 and Infant Toddler credential Level 4 -within one year of hire.
• A paraprofessional license is required within 6 months of hire.

Experience Requirements:

• 2 years of early childhood classroom experience.
• 1 year of experience in Head Start/Early Head Start preferred.
• 1 year of experience in serving culturally and linguistically diverse children in early childhood settings.

Required Knowledge:

• Microsoft Office Suite or related software including Microsoft Teams.
• Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies GOLD.
• Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards.
• Knowledge of Illinois Early Learning Guidelines (IELGs)
• Knowledge of Illinois Early Learning Development Standards (IELDSs)

Vehicle/Transportation Requirements:

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

Skills/Abilities:

• Must have the ability to create a classroom atmosphere in which children can develop physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and creatively.
• Ability to multi-task in a high stress environment and float in between classrooms.
• Ability to interact with diverse personalities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Well-organized and detail oriented.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic competency with office equipment including laptops and other portable devices.
• Willing to work flexible hours to accommodate the needs of the families.
• Able to manage multiple projects.

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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