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The Glencoe Park District is a nationally accredited, Gold Medal Award-winning agency dedicated to enriching lives, building community, and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. Our Children's Circle program is a licensed, full-day early childhood school offering a safe, nurturing, play-based environment that encourages hands-on learning, meaningful interactions, and active exploration for busy families. Join a mission-driven team that invests in its staff and supports professional growth.

Job Summary:

Under the direction of the Children's Circle Classroom Coordinator, the Full-Time Lead Teacher provides leadership and oversight for the daily operation of the assigned classroom. This position ensures a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate learning environment while maintaining effective communication with families and compliance with District and Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and/or IL Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) requirements. The Lead Teacher works collaboratively with the Co-Lead Teacher, who supports classroom operations and assumes Lead Teacher responsibilities in the Lead Teacher's absence.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum, activities, and daily classroom routines.
• Lead classroom operations and collaborate with the Co-Lead Teacher and other assigned staff to maintain a safe, organized, and supportive learning environment.
• Monitor and document each child's development, progress, behavior, and individual needs.
• Build positive relationships and maintain regular communication with parents and guardians.
• Ensure classroom practices, records, and operations comply with Park District policies and applicable DCFS and/or IL Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) licensing standards.

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Classroom Coordinator and the Early Childhood Director.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must be at least 19 years of age.
• At least two years of college credit (30 college credits), including six hours in Early Childhood Education from an accredited institution.
• An Early Childhood Education degree or a degree in a related field is preferred.
• Previous experience in a DCFS-licensed program is preferred.
• General knowledge of DCFS and/or IDEC licensing standards and developmentally appropriate practice is required.
• DCFS Director Qualifications strongly preferred but not required.
• Food Handler Certificate within 30 days of hire.
• DCFS Lead and Assistant Qualifications and Certificates Top of Form.
• Complete all DCFS required paperwork within 60 days of hire.
• Must possess current CPR/AED and First Aid certification or successfully obtain certification within six (6) months of hire.

• Must successfully complete a criminal background check, pre-employment drug test, and physical examination with satisfactory results; costs covered by the Glencoe Park District.

Required Knowledge:

• Must possess knowledge of IDEC licensing standards.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of children's physical, emotional, social, and cognitive
  development.
• Ability to provide a developmentally appropriate curriculum.
• Ability to adapt classroom activities and programs to meet the individual needs of each child
• Must be able to evaluate and monitor the developmental progress of individual children in the
  classroom.
  

Required Skills:

• Ability to plan and supervise a developmentally appropriate classroom environment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates the use of developmentally appropriate discipline methods.
• Exhibits warmth, acceptance, and consistent nurturing in interactions with children.
• Contributes to a harmonious and collaborative workplace through positive relationships with coworkers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary classroom leader and final decision-maker for day-to-day classroom operations.
• Lead the planning, organization, and implementation of classroom curriculum, routines, and learning environments.
• Provide direction, guidance, and classroom coordination to Co-Lead Teachers, Assistant Teachers, aides, substitutes, and support staff assigned to the classroom.
• Make final decisions regarding classroom management, scheduling, routines, and instructional approach in collaboration with the Classroom Coordinator.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for classroom-related parent communication and concerns.
• Ensure classroom compliance with all DCFS regulations, safety standards, and Park District procedures.
• Delegate classroom responsibilities as appropriate while maintaining overall accountability for classroom operations and environment.
• Monitor classroom consistency, organization, and implementation of developmental goals.
• Primary point of contact for classroom-related family communication.
• Lead parent conferences and developmental discussions.
• Plan and lead age-appropriate early childhood learning activities in art, music, literature, science, and math.
• Support and supervise activities that promote healthy emotional, social, intellectual, and physical development.
• Keep the classroom clean, organized, and well-maintained, including all educational materials and equipment.
  
• Supervise all classroom and outdoor activities to ensure the safety of each child at all times.
• Maintain lesson plans and regularly review learning activities with the Children's Circle Classroom Coordinator.
  
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands:

The considerations described below are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of the Lead Teacher position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform these functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Sit, stand, and/or walk for extended periods.
• Safely lift up to 50 pounds maximum.
• Lift and/or carrying objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Hours:

Regular scheduled hours for this position are 8:15 AM-5:15 PM. Work schedules may vary based on operational and programming needs. Children's Circle operates Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Due to the nature of Park District operations and programming, employees may be required to work evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays as needed.

Pay Scale:

This is a Full-Time, non-exempt position. The intended starting annual pay for this position is $24.85 per hour, with a full pay scale ranging from $24.85 per hour to $36.03 per hour.

Final compensation will be determined in good faith based on an evaluation of the candidate's qualifications, experience, and the recommendation of the Early Childhood Director or the Executive Director.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Prescription, and Hearing coverage
• Flexible Spending Account and Health Savings Account
• Life Insurance (basic & voluntary additional coverage)
• Participation in Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) - Defined Benefit Pension
• Short- and Long-Term Disability (IMRF)
• Supplemental Benefits (Aflac)
• Employee Assistance Program
• 457 Defined Contribution Plans
• Medical and Childcare Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off (sick, vacation, floating holidays and personal time) & Paid Family Leave
• Public Commuter Transit Benefit
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Park District Membership, Program and Rental Discounts
  

*To review the full job description, please contact the hiring manager.

Glencoe Park District is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Those applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should notify the human resource manager.