Preschool Teacher, Toddler Classroom

Pilgrim Community Preschool is accepting applications to join our teaching team in the upcoming school year.  Pilgrim Community Preschool is a private, non-profit NAEYC accredited half-day preschool serving Oak Park, Illinois and surrounding communities since 1966. Our mission is to foster every child’s intellectual, social, emotional and physical growth in a play-based environment. Qualified candidates will meet educational and experience standards as required by NAEYC, a minimum of Associates in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Early Childhood Special Education or Elementary Education. Candidates with a degree in another field with ECE coursework are invited to apply.

This part time teaching position in our 2-year-old classroom meets Monday- Friday 8:30 am to 11:30 am with additional hours for planning, prep, meetings and school-wide events expected.

RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following:

Encourage the Social and Emotional Development of Students through Positive Guidance

• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate hands-on activities that develop positive self-esteem, social skills, and culturally diverse experiences

• Encourage and support children to be independent, cooperate and problem solve

• Provide a wide variety of creative and expressive activities while continuing established routines with smooth transition periods

• Communicate with children at their developmental level

Advance the Physical and Intellectual Competence of Children

• Provide a balance between child-initiated and adult-initiated programs, including both quiet and active learning activities

• Use equipment and materials for indoor and outdoor play that promote children’s physical development

• Involve children in planning and implementing learning activities while providing an integrated curriculum that meets the needs of individual children

• Plan and implement experiences that promote language and literacy development as well as numerical concepts

Establish a Positive and Productive Relationship with Families

• Communicate with parents through a variety of methods, including but not limited to: home visits, monthly curriculum calendar, a weekly blog, Sandbox parent app, fall and spring conferences and daily contact

• Encourage and provide parents and families a variety of opportunities to participate in the program

• Using strength based approach, communicate developmental screening information with parents and provide guidance for individualized development supports

• Assist in ensuring a well-run, purposeful program responsive to families and children

Maintain a Positive and Productive Relationship with Teachers and Director

• Open to sharing and implementing new ideas in collaboration with the teaching partner and Pilgrim team

• Engages in respectful, clear communication with teaching partner, peers and Director

• Completes fair share of teaching duties

• Commits to using technology as deemed necessary by Director

• Participates in staff meetings and reviews

Maintain a Commitment to Professionalism

• Be committed to the principles of diversity, inclusion and anti-bias philosophy

• Promote Pilgrim’s mission, philosophy and educational objectives in conjunction with the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Illinois Early Learning Standards

• Participate in ongoing staff development programs to improve professional skills, including but not limited to: presentations, staff meetings, workshops, college courses and a minimum of 20 hours of annual in-service training (5 hours must be registry approved/verified)

• Participate in work-related activities within the community

• Know about new advances in the EC field, including curricula, assessment systems and best practices

• Maintain membership in the Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Registry by renewing annually and self-reporting training hours and acquiring at least 20 hours annually, with 5 hours being Directory approved/verified.

• Apply for and maintain Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Credentials- ECE or Infant Toddler and /or Illinois Director Credential

• Read all required information, including emails from the Director

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Employees shall have the skill and competence necessary to contribute to each child’s physical, intellectual, personal, emotional and social development.

• Employees shall demonstrate emotional maturity, willingness to cooperate with the mission of Pilgrim Community Preschool, respect for all children and adults, flexibility, patience, and professional appearance and hygiene.

The Director and the Board of Directors of Pilgrim Community Preschool reserve the right to add, delete, change or modify responsibilities.

BENEFITS:

Paid Time Off

Medical Stipend

Educator Enrichment Stipend