Lead Teacher Opportunity with the YMCA!

The YMCA of Metro Chicago is hiring for a L ead Teacher. As a Lead Teacher you will provide effective instructional strategies, classroom management, learning, assessment, evaluation and related research for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old. You will be responsible for providing developmentally appropriate learning experiences, supervising children assigned in the classroom, and providing a supportive and positive classroom climate. You will ensure that we are meeting the individual needs of the children as mandated by DCFS, ExceleRate Illinois, NAEYC, federal, state and local standards, and YMCA standards and policies, as applicable.

Our early learning teachers create a child-centered environment that promotes learning, character development, healthy living and positive, nurturing relationships. With a commitment to meeting accreditation standards and extensive training and development in research-based practices, you'll also learn and grow and positively impact our children, families and communities.

Scope of Responsibilities:

• Promote and model high quality teaching and learning in the classroom that fosters academic readiness
• Demonstrate culturally and linguistically appropriate practices that values all children and families and makes them feel welcomed and an essential part of the program
• Maintain awareness and supervision of children's needs and ensure their physical health and safety, at all times
• Communicate and develop effective partnerships with parents and families, encouraging parent involvement
• Abide by DCFS and all quality standards for maintaining safe, high quality programming
• Collaborate regularly with classroom team including: families, volunteers and all staff
• Collect and use multiple data sources, both formative and summative, to inform instruction and child centered learning and development
• Complete routine professional development annually; utilize continuous quality improvement (CQI); and identify different instructional resources and methods to meet children's varying needs and improve the classroom experience for children and families
• Participate and support association/center efforts towards recruitment, enrollment, attendance and retention of families while supporting the YMCA's mission and center operations as needed

Lesson Planning and Classroom Management:

• Develop lesson plans with goals, objectives, activities and outcomes for children that integrate health, nutrition, mental health, disabilities and parent involvement
• 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

Requirements:

• Must meet DCFS licensing, and program related accreditation/credentialing requirements; Associates Degree or higher in Early Childhood Education preferred

• Must provide documentation of Gateways credentialing or apply within 90 days of employment

• Passion for and commitment to the YMCA's mission and serving the needs of children and families

• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to implement developmentally appropriate practices to promote early learning and social-emotional development

• Ability to apply early learning best practices to create a child-centered, supportive, inclusive and positive classroom environment to meet the needs of diverse children

• One year experience teaching or equivalent in a preschool classroom strongly preferred

• Knowledge of how to design and implement the Creative Curriculum and other high quality curriculum approaches preferred

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

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