Head Learning Development Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

JOB TITLE: Head of Lower School (PK4) 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Master's degree in Educational Leadership or related field 

• Valid Professional Educators License (PEL) 

• Minimum 5 years of elementary teaching experience 

• Prior instructional leadership experience 

• Experience in experiential or project-based learning environments (preferred) 

REPORTS TO: Director of Academics 

CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time, 11-Month Leadership Position

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Head of Lower School (PK4) serves as the operational and cultural leader of the Lower School division and is responsible for ensuring a safe, joyful, and high-functioning learning environment aligned to the mission and values of Cambridge Lakes Learning Center.

In partnership with the Director of Academics, the Head of Lower School implements a cohesive academic vision rooted in experiential and DEEP learning, while maintaining strong foundational standards in literacy, numeracy, and child development.

The Head of Lower School champions the Whole Child approach and fosters a culture where curiosity, growth through challenge, and shared responsibility are visible in daily practice.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

Division Leadership & Culture 

• Lead daily PK4 operations, ensuring a safe, structured, and engaging environment. 

• Establish and maintain a positive school culture aligned to CLLC values. 

• Model and reinforce expectations for student behavior, routines, and community norms. 

• Partner with the Director of Student Services to ensure proactive and restorative discipline systems. 

Instructional Implementation 

• Implement the PK4 academic vision as defined by the Director of Academics. 

• Ensure fidelity to experiential and DEEP learning practices. 

• Educational Approach 

• Democracy: Student-directed learning experiences that promote voice and choice 

• Experiential: Practical learning opportunities that emphasize real-world application 

• Explore: Student-centered curricula encouraging investigation and discovery 

• Play: Nature, competition, freedom, and fitness integrated into learning experiences 

• Support integration of: 

• STEAM 

• Communication arts (reading, writing, speaking, listening) 

• Numeracy foundations 

• Developmentally appropriate practices  

• Conduct teacher evaluations aligned to the school's instructional framework. 

• Participate in academic calibration meetings to ensure vertical alignment. 

Student Behavior & School Culture 

• Establish and maintain a safe, structured, and developmentally appropriate learning environment aligned with the school's Whole Child philosophy. 

• Ensure consistent implementation of behavioral expectations and restorative practices across the division. 

• Partner with the Director and Assistant Director of Student Services to align discipline systems with MTSS and intervention frameworks. 

• Monitor behavioral data trends and proactively address patterns impacting instruction. 

• Lead teachers in building strong classroom management systems that support experiential, collaborative learning environments. 

• Oversee discipline processes with fairness, clarity, and accountability. 

• Engage families in behavioral conversations with professionalism and respect. 

• Ensure that behavioral expectations protect instructional time while preserving student dignity. 

• Ensure behavioral systems reflect developmental appropriateness and emphasize social-emotional learning and skill-building. 

Teacher Supervision & Talent Development 

• Supervise and evaluate PK4 faculty. 

• Provide feedback, coaching conversations, and growth planning. 

• Support new teacher onboarding and mentorship. 

• Promote a culture of reflective practice and continuous improvement. 

• Uphold the organization's commitment to recruiting and retaining high-quality professionals. 

Family & Community Engagement 

• Serve as the primary point of contact for PK4 families. 

• Build trust through transparent communication. 

• Lead Lower School events, exhibitions, and community celebrations. 

Operational Management 

• Manage schedules, staffing logistics, and daily supervision. 

• Ensure compliance with charter expectations and operational standards. 

• Collaborate with leadership to steward resources responsibly. 

• Support data-informed decision making aligned with CLLC decision parameters  

Additional Responsibilities 

• Perform other duties and assume additional responsibilities as assigned by the CEO to support the evolving needs of the organization. 

LEADERSHIP COMPENTENCIES: 

The ideal candidate demonstrates: 

• Deep understanding of child development (PK4) 

• Experience leading early childhood and elementary educators 

• Strong classroom management systems knowledge 

• Comfort leading during instructional innovation 

• Ability to balance warmth and accountability 

• Emotional intelligence and political awareness 

• Strong family-facing communication skills 

LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY 

The Head of Lower School must embody the CLLC commitment to: 

• Putting children first 

• Investing in people 

• Using data 

• Learning by doing 

• Leading with trust and respect  

This leader understands that Lower School is foundational to the Cambridge Lakes learner journey and ensures PK4 students experience joyful rigor, curiosity in action, and growth through challenge. 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: 

• Office-based with regular interaction throughout the school. 

• Attendance at meetings and events outside regular school hours. 

PHYSICAL CONTEXT OF THE JOB: 

• Regular travel within the school building and occasional off-site meetings. 

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 

• Full-time position. 

• Salary and benefits commensurate with experience and locally competitive.

• Expected Salary Range: $90,000-$130,000 annually

DISCLAIMER: 

• This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements, or working conditions. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.