START EARLY·Beach Park, Illinois
The PEL Lead Teacher is responsible for creating and implementing research-based lesson plans that cater to the unique developmental needs of 3-5 year olds. They also manage daily classroom activities, supervise teacher assistants, and maintain strong partnerships with families through conferences and home visits.
Description We are hiring in Beach Park, IL.
Start Early (formerly known as the Ounce) is an energized, future-focused organization devoted to providing quality early learning and care across the country.
Our desire to close the opportunity gap and build early learning experiences for our youngest learners guides everything we do. As a leader in early learning and care, we scale our deep expertise across program, policy and research through partnerships across the country.
We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in this mission and share a commitment to our core values of appreciation & respect, empowerment, diversity, excellence, learning and communication. Become part of our rewarding, mission-driven culture! We want our employees to feel empowered, motivated, energized, and passionate about the work they do!
The Preschool Certified Teacher (PEL) works closely with the Education Coordinator to create comprehensive and engaging lesson plans grounded in research-based practices for 3-5 year olds. Your creativity will shine as you tailor individualized lesson plans that cater to the unique needs of each child, ensuring they thrive in a nurturing and developmentally appropriate setting. You will manage daily classroom activities, bringing excitement and energy to every learning experience.
Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or child development, or in another related field with at least 30 hours in ECE OR Masters degree in early childhood education or child development, or in another related field with at least 30 hours in ECE Professional Educator License (PEL) with ECE Endorsement and Illinois Gateways ECE Credential Level 5, Food Handler Certification, First Aid and CPR preferred. A minimum of two years of experience in an early childhood setting, ideally with knowledge of Head Start/Preschool for All programs. Preferred knowledge Creative Curriculum, Coaching to Fidelity, Teaching Strategies GOLD, ECERS and CLASS and Child Developmentally screening and assessment tools. Strong communication skills and the ability to engage with children and families from diverse backgrounds. We recognize that few candidates might meet every single piece of knowledge, experience, or education listed here. Research shows that women and people of color, among many other historically excluded groups, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. Start Early is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your qualifications don’t perfectly align with everything in the job description, we still encourage you to apply!
$63,058.00 - $76,215.00 +$5,000 Sign On Bonus We believe that all employees should be paid fairly. As of the time of this posting, this is the expected base annual salary range. The base annual salary will be based on a wide range of factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, as well as business needs and limitations.
Comprehensive Health Plans, Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion, Holistic Wellness Program, Professional Development Program, 401k Contribution, Paid Volunteer Days, 6 months paid parental leave, and much more.
Start Early is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by creating an inclusive environment for all staff.
Market context
Illinois classroom teacher roles are typically in steady demand, especially in districts seeking candidates who can support diverse student needs and communicate clearly with families and staff. This type of role is competitive because employers often look for classroom experience plus related backgrounds such as sociology, psychology, counseling, or education, and bilingual skills in English, Spanish, or Portuguese can strengthen an application. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save research time, then tailor your resume to highlight public speaking experience and weekend availability if you have it.