Preschool Lead Teacher

Lesson Planning and Classroom Management

• Develop lesson plans with goals, objectives, activities and outcomes for children that represent the Illinois Early Learning Standards.
• Implement high quality, developmentally appropriate instructional activities and curriculum approaches (like Creative Curriculum™) that facilitate active learning experiences and promote the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of each child; while ensuring the program follows DCFS, YMCA, ExceleRate Illinois™, and NAEYC accreditation standards, if applicable.
• Research, plan, and implement appropriate studies/projects for an in-depth investigation of a topic over time.
• Establish and maintain an attractive, clean, safe and engaging classroom environment which includes positive guidance techniques and that encourages children's independence and self-selection of activities.
• Leverage the physical environment and pedagogical documentation to support teaching and learning practices.
• Use observational and child data to plan developmentally appropriate and engaging early learning experiences based upon the emergent needs of the child.
• Documents observations and maintains child portfolios to aid in assessments.

Requirements

• Must meet DCFS licensing, and program related accreditation/credentialing requirements; ECE Credential Level 1 or higher preferred.
• OR
• 64 semester hours in any discipline with a minimum of 21 hours of college credit in child development, early childhood education or early childhood special education AND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
• Gateways to Opportunity Level I Illinois Director Credential
• OR 3 semester hours of college credit in administration, leadership or management
• OR 3 points of credential-approved training in administration, leadership or management.
• One year experience teaching or equivalent in a preschool classroom strongly preferred.
• Must provide documentation of Gateways credentialing or apply within 90 days of employment.
• Knowledge of how to design and implement the Creative Curriculum and other high quality curriculum approaches preferred.
• Pre-Employment medical screening and TB test per program requirements.
• Required to be achieved or maintained once in role: Food Handlers Training

• Child Abuse Prevention - Supports the YMCA’s commitment to child abuse prevention by:
• Reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor
• Following all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children
• Reporting any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor
• Completing all child abuse prevention training as required