Lead Teacher, Early Head Start

Job Title: Lead Teacher, Early Head Start

Department: Early Childhood Education

FLSA Status: Exempt (Salary)

Employment Type: Full-time

Location: Chicago, IL 60647

Pay Range: $65,000 – $75,000

The Lead Teacher provides direct care to children in a group setting and is responsible for developing educational and recreational lesson plans for each assigned child. The teacher participates in the planning and supervision of seasonal family activities, gives program information to clients, engages in weekly staff meetings and client charting, and provides direction to classroom assistants and volunteers.

• Deliver daily classroom instruction using best practices defined by NAEYC and COA accreditation standards and meeting state licensing requirements.
• Maintain an up‑to‑date NAEYC classroom portfolio and prepare a new portfolio each program year.
• Ensure developmental screenings (ASQ, ASQ‑SE, ESI‑R) are completed within 45 days of a child’s entry or re‑enrollment.
• Use Creative Curriculum GOLD assessment tool, complete weekly lesson plans based on each child’s interests, and plan field trips and activities to support development.
• Provide a balanced daily program of child‑initiated and adult‑directed activities that enhance social, emotional, cognitive, language, and motor development and modify the learning environment as needed.
• Conduct regular observations and recordings of each child’s progress relative to IEP, IFSP, or individualized goals; complete referrals for developmental purposes.
• Reflect the cultural and ethnic backgrounds of all children in materials, equipment, and learning experiences.
• Use positive guidance techniques to develop children’s self‑control.
• Listens and responds to children and parents with positivity, attention, and respect.
• Facilitate parent involvement in daily program, including lesson planning and developmental portfolios.
• Encourage parents to attend monthly meetings, home visits, and parent‑teacher conferences.
• Assist parents with transition activities related to the Early Learning Center or Children’s Place.
• Participate in staff meetings and ongoing training opportunities.
• Train, supervise, and support Assistant Teachers and Substitute Teachers.
• Participate in bi‑annual staffing meetings; work within a multidisciplinary team to meet child and family service needs.
• Attend a minimum of 15 in‑service hours through off‑site trainings and meetings.
• Maintain confidentiality of all children and family information and records.
• Report child abuse or neglect to Program Manager and inform School Nurse of any medical concerns.
• Support teamwork, team building, and collaborative partnership among staff.
• Engage in quality assurance initiatives as needed.
• Perform additional duties as necessary.

In conjunction with the Program Manager and Education Coordinator, the Lead Teacher supervises Assistant Teachers and Substitute Teachers.

The following qualifications are required to perform this role:

• Required minimum of 3 years of professional experience working with young children in a child care setting, with at least 1 year as a Lead Teacher.
• Certifications in Infant/Child CPR, First Aid, and Caring for the Mildly Ill Child.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) written and verbal communication skills preferred.

Employees must respect diversity and refrain from discrimination or harassment based on religion, marital status, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, or other differences. Employees share responsibility for a welcoming and supportive work environment.

Frequent standing, walking, sitting, use of hands, reaching, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and occasional climbing. Must be able to sit on the floor, change diapers, bathe children, clean bodily fluids, frequently lift up to 40 pounds, and meet vision requirements.

Moderate noise level with occasional loud periods. The environment may include working with others, verbal contact, face‑to‑face contact, and both indoor and outdoor tasks.

The statements above describe the general nature and level of work for this classification and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.