NORTHWESTERN SETTLEMENT·Chicago, Illinois
Support the Lead Teacher in daily classroom activities and the implementation of educational lesson plans for children ages 3-5. Maintain a safe, nurturing, and organized learning environment while documenting children's developmental progress.
Support the Lead Teacher in daily classroom activities and lesson plan implementation. Assist with supervising children during meals, rest periods, and transitions. Help maintain a clean, organized, and stimulating learning environment. Observe and assist in documenting children’s behavior and developmental progress. Foster respectful, positive interactions with children, families, and coworkers. Attend required training, workshops, and staff meetings to support professional growth. Ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and DCFS licensing requirements Qualifications: High School diploma or GED. Must meet or be willing to meet the requirements for a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential within the required timeframe. Passion for working with young children and diverse families. Ability to pass background checks and health screenings, including TB test and medical exam.
Experience in an early childhood or Head Start setting. Bilingual (English/Spanish or other languages) is highly desirable. Familiarity with trauma-informed care practices is a plus.
Compensation &
Benefits: Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. We offer a robust health benefits package. In addition, all staff members are equipped with the tools needed to succeed, including a dedicated workspace, laptop, email, high-speed internet access, and all necessary supplies.
Statement of
Non-Discrimination: Northwestern Settlement is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status or any other characteristic or classification protected by law.
Requires a high school diploma or GED and a willingness to obtain a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Candidates must pass background checks and health screenings, with a preference for those with early childhood experience or bilingual skills.
Market context
In Illinois, teaching assistant roles are commonly driven by school staffing needs in special education and general classroom support, especially where paraprofessional licensing is required. These positions can be competitive because employers often look for a valid TASN paraprofessional license, at least 60 semester hours or a paraprofessional exam, plus strong communication and knowledge of disabilities. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits from the original posting to save research time, then confirm your license status and readiness to follow classroom directions before applying.