Description:
EMBRACING ABILITIES. EXPANDING POSSIBILITIES.
At Easterseals of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford, we are committed to two – often interconnecting - pillars of work……early learning and disability. Through these pillars, we transform the lives of early learners and individuals of all abilities through access to expert educational, family, and community support. As an affiliate of America’s largest nonprofit health care organization, we have proudly served the communities and families of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford since 1936.
For more information about our organization, please visit us online at www.eastersealschicago.org.
The primary responsibility of the Head Start PFA/PEL Teacher is to provide early care and education to children in the classroom ages three to five years; serve as the lead teacher and facilitator of the classroom teaching team; create an environment that is engaging and stimulating; recognize that children are best understood and supported in the context of family, culture, community, and society. Position assignment requires Preschool for All/Head Start teachers to be assigned to two classrooms per day at privately owned childcare partners of Easterseals. The position requires traveling to another classroom/site daily.
$3,000 Signing Bonus for BA/ECE Credential Level 5
$5,000 Signing Bonus with PEL
This position will be assigned to schools in the South Suburbs of Cook County. The headquarters for this position is at Easterseals Early Learning Services at 1939 W. 13th Street, Chicago 60608.
MAJOR FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES:
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Implement the Head Start/ Preschool for All programs.
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Serve as a leader for the classroom team and provide guidance.
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Ensure the implementation of developmentally appropriate practice within the classroom, including utilizing materials and studies from the Creative Curriculum.
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Facilitate with the classroom teaching team the creation of an inclusive environment where children can learn.
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Facilitate with the classroom teaching team the creation and implementation of group lesson plans.
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Research new ideas, methods, resources, and materials for lesson plans.
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Ensure that all children within the classroom have sufficient, high-quality observations, and maintain up-to-date documentation in COPA, Teaching Strategies GOLD, child education files, and child portfolios.
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Provide a safe environment for children at all times by implementing active supervision practices.
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Implement screenings and assessments and reporting of outcomes for children.
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Communicate with parents/families and report child progress through scheduled parent-teacher conferences and home visits.
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Initiate referrals for children who might benefit from further evaluation.
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Participate in the referral process by documenting observations and interventions attempted in the classroom.
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Participate in Individual Education Program (IEP) meetings.
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Work closely with consultants and other Easterseals personnel.
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Individualize for all children, including children with diagnosed disabilities.
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Support social-emotional development using the pyramid model.
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Utilize data from child outcomes, screenings, and IEPs to guide lesson planning for individual children and for the group.
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Maintain care of classroom equipment and supplies, control inventory, and report all repairs needed.
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Promote an atmosphere of teamwork where staff, parents, and children interact positively with each other.
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Participate in all required and recommended training, including Teaching Strategies GOLD, Creative Curriculum, and CLASS training.
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Participate in all required and recommended meetings.
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Support the agency’s School Readiness goals and track progress toward goals.
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Train and participate in evaluations for the classroom team.
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Complete an ongoing professional development plan.
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Prepare reports on classroom activities, including attendance records.
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All other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
Education/Certification:
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Bachelor’s Degree Required
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Professional Educator License (PEL) with Early Childhood Education endorsement. (10-month position; receives 8-week summer break, 2- week assigned winter break, and 1- week assigned spring break)
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Gateways 5 ECE Credential obtained within one year of hire.
Experience Required: Experience Requirements:
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2 years of early childhood classroom experience.
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1 year of experience in Head Start/Early Head Start preferred.
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1 year of experience in serving culturally and linguistically diverse children in early childhood settings.
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Knowledge of child development
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Experience with Head Start
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Experience with Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies GOLD preferred
Required Knowledge:
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Microsoft Office Suite or related software including Microsoft Teams.
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Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies GOLD.
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Head Start Performance Standards.
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Knowledge of Illinois Early Learning Guidelines (IELGs)
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Knowledge of Illinois Early Learning Development Standards (IELDSs)
Vehicle/Transportation Requirements:
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Valid driver’s license
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Auto insurance
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Reliable vehicle
Skills/Abilities:
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Must have the ability to create a classroom atmosphere in which children can develop physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and creatively.
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Ability to multi-task in a high-stress environment and float in between classrooms.
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Ability to interact with diverse personalities.
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Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
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Able to work well with staff, families, other agencies, and funding source personnel.
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Well-organized, detail-oriented, and accuracy-driven.
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
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Basic competency with office equipment including laptops and other portable devices.
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Completion of a minimum of 15 hours of continuing education per year.
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Willing to work flexible hours to accommodate the needs of the families.
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Able to manage multiple projects.
ADA: Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Unless exempted by the Americans with Disabilities Act, all persons hired for this position are required to possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to treat clients, i.e., bending, floor-sitting, etc., as well as to have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.
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