Preschool Lead Teacher

Preschool Lead Teachers are responsible for creating age‑appropriate and detailed lesson plans for the preschool curriculum and for successfully implementing the curriculum in the classroom. Activities are expected to progressively promote social, physical, and intellectual growth needed for success in elementary school. This position provides direction to the Preschool Assistant Teacher and is responsible for the direct supervision of all students, ensuring all procedures are followed within the assigned classroom.

• Planning and supervision of classroom activities, developing lesson plans based on the curriculum outline, and providing a variety of age‑appropriate activities and materials.
• Supervising one Preschool Assistant Teacher during assigned classes.
• Writing developmentally appropriate lesson plans and submitting them as requested by the Preschool Supervisor.
• Creating a nurturing classroom through play, incorporating one‑on‑one interactions, small group, and large group activities.
• Treating children positively to encourage individuality and positive self‑esteem.
• Building positive relationships with children and parents.
• Demonstrating strong organization, written communication, speaking, leadership, and classroom management skills.
• Maintaining a safe environment by supervising children at all times, acknowledging how many children are present, greeting parents during drop‑off and pick‑up, and being aware of student allergies/special conditions.
• Ensuring the classroom is clean, safe, and secure for participants and employees.
• Observing, evaluating, and documenting student growth through individual portfolios and assessments, and conducting parent/teacher conferences as required.
• Working effectively with others and maintaining positive working relationships with all employees.
• Utilizing proper safety precautions, adhering to departmental and Village safety policies, advising supervisors of hazards, and ensuring regular safety inspections and evacuation drills.
• Communicating effectively with parents, co‑workers, and supervisors via email, phone, and in‑person.
• Coordinating daily snack time and completing designated preschool housekeeping duties.
• Taking monthly inventory of classroom supplies and snacks and reporting to the Preschool Supervisor.
• Driving departmental vehicles for job‑related activities such as purchasing supplies, meetings, and field trips.
• Posting monthly newsletters, managing parent classroom donations, and maintaining bulletin boards and other relevant parent communication.
• Participating in all monthly meetings, family nights, and in‑service training.
• Providing first‑aid assistance to participants when necessary, maintaining CPR/First Aid certification bi‑annually or as required.
• Completing behavior, safety, or accident reports and returning them to the Preschool Supervisor within 24 hours of an incident.
• Acting as a mentor and role model for the assistant teacher, students, and other employees.
• Substituting for other preschool staff as required.
• Performing other duties as deemed appropriate.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Six months of early childhood or preschool experience preferred.
• At least 21 years of age and a valid Illinois driver’s license.
• Current American Red Cross CPR and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain certification prior to the first day of operations.
• Preference given to applicants with prior education or experience in a preschool or classroom setting.

• Language ability and interpersonal communication; effectively communicating with personnel, participants, and school staff.
• Mathematical ability; adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, and calculating percentages, fractions, and decimals.
• Judgment and situational reasoning; interpreting instructions in written and oral form and exercising independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards.
• Physical requirements:
  
  leading and participating in activities, including games, field trips, and special events; coordinating eyes, hands, feet, and limbs; exerting light to moderate effort; lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling as required.
• Ability to recognize and identify similarities or differences between colors, shapes, and sounds associated with job‑related objects, materials, and tasks.
• Environmental adaptability: working independently and completing daily activities under minimum supervision; working, at times, with angry or irate individuals.

The Village of Lake in the Hills is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Village will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.