Lead Teacher of the WIU Infant and Preschool Center

About Western Illinois University:

Recognized as a "Best Midwestern College" by the Princeton Review. Western Illinois University, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, serves nearly 5,000 students at its traditional, residential campus in Macomb, IL and its metropolitan, non-residential branch campus in Moline, IL.

Job Description:

APPOINTMENT: August 2026

RESPONSIBILITIES: The Infant and Preschool Early Childhood Lead Teacher will create a safe, engaging, and nurturing learning environment to deliver high-quality, play-based, instruction to infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children at the WIU Infant and Preschool Center in Macomb. This position involves leading and teaching daily activities, fostering language development, and helping children develop essential physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and self-care skills. Lead Teachers will collaborate with families and staff. The Infant and Preschool Early Childhood Lead Teacher must meet the requirements set by Head Start, the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (DEC), DEC Recommended Practices, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. They will participate in professional development opportunities aimed at supporting professionals, students, and families in the Macomb area, with the goal of improving educational opportunities for children ages birth to five. This position will also include providing classroom instruction and assessment for children from birth to five as appropriate within the WIU Infant and Preschool Center in Macomb. Additionally, the Lead Teacher will assist with community outreach as needed, under the direction of the WIU Infant and Preschool Center Director. Lead Teachers will model effective teaching strategies, lesson planning, classroom management, student assessment, and provide technical support to college students.

RANK & SALARY: 9.5 month appointment; $29,950 - $33,280 per year, commensurate with experience.

Western Illinois University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS). These benefits include: Health Insurance plans, (HMO's, OAP's, QCHP, and CDHP), Dental Insurance, Vision Plan, Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Supplemental Long-Term Disability (LTD), Flex Spending Accounts (HAS, MCAP, and DCAP), 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plans and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plans.

Eligible employees are required to participate in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS). SURS is the retirement administrator for employees in public higher education in the State of Illinois.

Other benefits available to eligible employees include: paid time-off, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Waiver programs, and discounts to the local YMCA.

For a full list of benefits as a WIU employee, please visit our Benefits Homepage: https://www.wiu.edu/human_resources/benefits/.

For questions on benefits, or eligibility, contact our benefits team at HR-Benefits@wiu.edu or by calling 309-298-1971.

Requirements:

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a closely related field.
• Experience working in a licensed early learning center serving young children.
• Strong understanding of child development, early childhood education, and the ability to plan and implement developmentally appropriate practices for preschool-aged children.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and technology skills necessary to collaborate with children, families, staff, university students, and to complete assessments, documentation, and reports.
• Current registration with Gateways to Opportunity and the ability to maintain all required credentials and professional development.
• Current First Aid/CPR/Mandated Reporter certification (or willingness to obtain prior to employment), ability to meet all Illinois DCFS licensing requirements, and ability to actively participate in classroom activities, including lifting, bending, standing, and supporting young children throughout the day.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and/or Illinois Early Childhood Credential Level 5.
• Experience working in inclusive early childhood settings, including supporting children with disabilities and implementing IEP goals.
• Knowledge of social-emotional learning, positive behavior supports, and assessment and documentation systems used in early childhood settings.
• Experience mentoring teacher candidates or practicum students and collaborating with families and community partners to support children's learning and development.

For a degree to be considered, it must be conferred from a regionally accredited degree-granting institution of higher education (or equivalent from an international accrediting body). Unless otherwise stated, the degree must be conferred at the time of appointment.

Additional Information:

THE UNIVERSITY:

About WIU

Since 1899, Western Illinois University has provided outstanding educational opportunities to individuals in west central Illinois and well beyond our region and state. WIU's traditional residential campus in Macomb, Illinois, is the educational, cultural and athletic center of the region, while the WIU-Quad Cities non-residential branch campus in Moline, Illinois, is the only public university in the immediate Quad Cities region.

WIU-Macomb, IL: Western's traditional, residential main campus offers a comprehensive slate of undergraduate and graduate programs, including a doctorate in education, and post-baccalaureate certificates. A diverse community in west central Illinois, Macomb features a unique blend of agriculture, industry, service, retail, education, and culture. Macomb serves as the county seat, with connections across the state with Amtrak providing twice-daily service from Macomb to Chicago (and point in between). Macomb is located approximately 75 miles from the Quad Cities International Airport (Moline, IL) and 70 miles from the Greater Peoria Regional Airport (Peoria, IL).

WIU-Quad Cities: Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Moline, Illinois, the WIU-Quad Cities campus is the only public four-year regional university that serves the Quad Cities region. Designed as a metropolitan commuter campus, WIU-Quad Cities offers select undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. Moline is located just 80 miles north of the Macomb campus and is centered within a diverse, bi-state community of 383,000 that offers a broad range of cultural, social, and entertainment amenities and experiences, as well as varied businesses and industries.

Academics

More than 61 undergraduate degree programs, 41 graduate programs, two doctoral programs and 16 post-baccaulaureate certificate programs prepare students for a successful career after graduation.

Student Resources

More than 200 student organizations at Western provide social, academic, recreation, athletics, service, academic, and many other opportunities for students to grow and learn, develop leadership skills, and much more.

Numerous concerts, lectures, films, dance performances, cultural events and more are presented and performed each year, along with numerous major theatrical and dance productions and studio shows, and a variety of service-oriented projects and activities.

WIU Intercollegiate Athletics

The University's athletics program, based on the Macomb campus, sponsors 17 NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's and women's varsity sports. All varsity sports compete at the Division I level through The Ohio Valley Conference.

Application Instructions:

Complete applications include:

1) a letter of application

2) current curriculum vita or resume

3) copies of unofficial or official academic transcripts; official copies will be requested of selected candidate

4) the names, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three current professional references

Please upload the requested documents by clicking APPLY NOW or by navigating to the WIU Employment page at the following URL http://www.wiu.edu/employment/

**Note** In order to upload Individual documents must be under 2 MB in size.

Screening will begin on June 1, 2026.

Western Illinois University endeavors to provide a safe environment for its employees and students and requires candidates to submit to a background investigation upon offer of employment. Employment is contingent upon compliance with University policies and procedures relating to the receipt and evaluation of information contained in the background investigation.

Western Illinois University is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity employer. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people, including, but not limited to, minorities, veterans, women and individuals with disabilities. WIU has a non-discrimination policy that includes discrimination based on an individual's membership in the following classes: sex, race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and any other classes protected by state or federal law.

Questions regarding the search may be directed to: James La Prad at JG-LaPrad@wiu.edu.

For assistance with the online application system contact the Office of Human Resources at (309) 298-1971 or via email at hr-recruitment@wiu.edu.