Preschool Teacher Job Description

Purpose: To facilitate the learning and development of children ages 3 to 5 years old.  To provide a good foundation for future success in school, following each child’s ability and based on the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS); to build strong ties between home and school; and to establish good relationships with families and staff members.

Key Activities:

• Develop and implement daily lesson plans that meet all children’s developmental, social, emotional, physical, and intellectual needs.

• Set up and maintain an environment in the classroom that fosters learning, including switching or rotating materials in interest areas regularly.

• In cooperation with other staff, carry out routine duties such as toileting, hand washing, cleanup, and supervision of children at all times, including outdoor play.

• Collect anecdotal notes and portfolio items to assess children’s development using individual records.

 • Communicate weekly with families through a newsletter, app, phone, or other method.

• Host family meetings throughout the year on various topics to promote family participation and involvement in education activities provided for their children.

• Conduct family-teacher conferences twice a year.

• Compile a list of equipment and materials needed for the classroom and, with the center director’s approval, order the materials.

• Meet with the center director/ instructional leader for reflective supervision.

• Meet with the teaching assistant to plan lessons and develop teaching strategies.

• Engage in professional development opportunities.

• Perform other incidental tasks consistent with the goals and objectives of this position.

Qualifications:

A Professional Educator License (PEL) endorsed in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or a PEL with ECE endorsement and one of the following endorsements: provisional educator, alternative provisional educator, resident teacher, or visiting international educator, or Gateways to Opportunity ECE Credential Level 5.

Salary and Benefits:

$50,000 – $60,000, Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, 10-Month Work Schedule, Bonus Pay.

Preschool Paraprofessional Job Description

Paraprofessional/Teacher Assistant Purpose: To assist the teacher in developing and implementing a developmentally appropriate program for children ages 3 to 5 years old.

Key Activities:

• Assist with classroom learning activities.

• Supervise children inside and outside, including, but not limited to, arrival and departure, playground, field trips, and classroom activities.

• Maintain accurate records, as assigned by the teacher.

• Assist with the assessment and evaluation of learning.

• Assist with the preparation of materials for use in the program.

• Assist and maintain an orderly learning environment.

• Assist with identification of and attention to children’s health and hygiene.

• Assist in providing individual and small-group instruction in learning activities.

• Assist in communicating with families and hosting family meetings/ activities/ conferences.

• Maintain strict confidentiality of student records and data.

• Engage in professional development opportunities.

• Meet with the center director/ instructional leader for reflective supervision.

• Meet with the teacher to plan lessons and develop teaching strategies.

• Perform other incidental tasks consistent with the goals and objectives of this position.

Qualifications:

A Paraprofessional Educator Endorsement or an Educator License with Stipulations and at least 19 years of age. Must hold one of the following to be issued a paraprofessional educator endorsement.

  • Associate degree or higher
  • 60 semester hours of coursework
  • High school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED) and a score of 460 or higher on the Educational Testing Service Parapro assessment
  • High school diploma or GED and the following scores on the ACT WorkKeys:
  • Applied Mathematics/Applied Math (with a score of 4)
  • Reading for information/Workplace Documents (with a score of 4)

Salary and Benefits:

$30,000- $40,000, Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Paid Time Off, 10-Month Work Schedule, Bonus Pay.

Substitute Teacher

Substitute Teacher Purpose: To fill in for an absent teacher or teacher assistant.

Key Activities:

Follow the lesson plans and learning objectives left by the teacher.  If assigned as a long-term substitute: develop lesson plans consistent with the teacher’s past lesson plans.

Maintain an orderly classroom environment.

Ensure children safety and attention to children’s health and hygiene.

Build a positive rapport with children, families, and staff.  Communicate rules at the start of class and consistently reinforce expectations.

Create reports to inform the teacher of children success, maintain accurate records, and maintain confidentiality of student records and data.

Tasks consistent with the goals and objectives of this position.

Qualifications:

A current Professional Educator License (PEL) with a Self-Contained General Education Endorsement.

A Substitute Teacher License or Short Term Sub License.