Lead Teacher

About us:

When you join the Arrowleaf team, you are committing to a meaningful career where your work will make a difference for your neighbors throughout Southern Illinois and strengthen our region as a whole. You’ll have a chance to build well-being not just for the people you work with, but for yourself as well, as you gain life-changing experiences, enjoy highly competitive benefits, and experience unmatched opportunities for advancement.

Mission: Arrowleaf’s mission is to help all Southern Illinoisans reach their full potential. We provide resources and opportunities that support individuals of all ages so they can thrive, make our communities more vibrant, and build economic prosperity that benefits everyone.

Vision: We envision a Southern Illinois where all individuals are contributing to a community that is safe and vibrant for everyone.

Visit our website: myarrowleaf.org/employment to learn more about Arrowleaf

Job Title: Lead Teacher

Home Office: Little Leaves Learning Center (LLLC) - Vienna, IL

Program(s): Little Leaves Learning Center (LLLC) is an early childhood education and child care program to support children’s growth, learning, and development. Planned services include infant and toddler care, preschool, and school-age programming in a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment that encourages social development, creativity, independence, and school readiness. The program will incorporate trauma-informed practices and Montessori-inspired learning elements while strengthening connections with families and community resources.

Immediate Supervisor: Program Director - Christie Rodgers

Lead Teacher Hours of Work: Full-time 40 hours/ week Monday - Friday

• Infant Lead Teacher (Opening): 6:15 AM - 2:45 PM
• Infant Lead Teacher (Closing): 9:45 AM - 6:15 PM
• Toddler Lead Teacher: 6:15 AM - 2:45 PM
• Two-Year-Old Lead Teacher: 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM
• Preschool Lead Teacher: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
• School-Age Lead Teacher: 9:45 AM - 6:15 PM

Lead Teacher FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

Lead Teacher Minimum Qualifications : Minimum age of 19 required, High school diploma or GED required, MACTE-accredited, AMS, or AMI Montessori teacher certification (birth to age 12) may substitute for the required child development coursework, along with one of the following:

• 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of college credit, including 6 semester hours in childcare or child development (birth to age 6)

• 1,560 clock hours (one year) of experience in a nursery school, kindergarten, or licensed day care center plus 30 semester hours of college credit, including 6 semester hours in childcare or child development

• A department-approved credential such as CDA, CCP, Gateways ECE Credential Level 3 or higher, or Gateways Infant Toddler Credential Level 3 or higher.

Lead Teacher Skills & Competencies: Knowledge of child development and age-appropriate learning activities. Basic knowledge of childcare practices, health, safety, and sanitation procedures. Demonstrates the ability to establish positive, nurturing relationships with children. Ability to communicate effectively with children, families, teachers, and staff. Skilled in working cooperatively as part of a classroom team. Patience, flexibility, and adaptability when working with young children. Strong observation and interpersonal skills. Ability to support classroom routines, learning activities, and transitions. Proficient in using positive behavior guidance and respond appropriately to children’s needs. Sensitivity to cultural, developmental, and individual differences among children. Ability to maintain a safe, clean, welcoming, and supportive classroom environment.

Lead Teacher Special Requirements: Clear the Illinois State Police, FBI fingerprint, DCFS (CANTS/SACWIS) and Illinois Sex Offender Registry checks before working with children (89 Ill. Adm. Code 385; 407.110). Report any later charge, arrest or conviction to the Director immediatelly. Physical exam completed no more than 6 months before hire, including a Mantoux TB test; re-exam every 2 years (407.100(d), (f)). Three verified written character references, proof of education (transcripts or credentials) and verification of any experience used to qualify (407.120). Signed mandated reporter acknowledgment, Arrowleaf Confidentiality and Proprietary Rights Agreement, and LLLC statement of confidentiality. Gateways to Opportunity Registry membership within 30 days of hire (407.100(c)(5)). Must be 21 years of age to drive agency vehicles and transport children.

Lead Teacher Job duties include, but not limited to:

• Always maintain required staff-child ratios and group sizes, including outdoors, on field trips, at shift changes and during transitions; follow the ratio for the youngest child present (407.190).

• Keep accurate attendance; confirm arrivals and departures with families so headcounts stay current.

• Lead monthly fire drills, tornado drills and Arrowleaf safety drills (active shooter, earthquake); know the classroom shelter location and account for every child by name.

• Report facility hazards and unsafe equipment to the Director promptly.

• Plan and post a daily program using the Experience Curriculum by Brightwheel with Montessori-inspired activities, regular routines, a balance of active and quiet play, and free choice (407.200).

• Set up learning centers: art, dramatic play, music, sensory, language arts, science, math/manipulatives and large motor.

• Complete ASQ developmental screenings, with parent consent, at enrollment, at classroom transitions and at the start of each school year.

• Document learning in Brightwheel with photos, narratives and anecdotal records, and use it to plan curriculum and family conferences.

• Write and carry out individual plans with families and resource staff when needed.

• Record feedings and diapering and share daily written reports with parents.

• Use only positive guidance under the Pyramid Model: redirection, natural and logical consequences, anticipating problems and encouraging cooperation.

• Follow handwashing, diapering, toileting and sanitizing procedures; clean and disinfect infant/toddler toys daily.

• Apply the illness exclusion policy: isolate and supervise an ill child, call parents for pickup within 30 minutes, and complete the Illness Verification form.

• Give prescription medication only with written provider authorization, in the original labeled container, after training from the parent (teachers and the Director only).

• Send daily written communication through Brightwheel and contribute to the monthly newsletter.

• Release children only to parents, guardians or people on the authorized pick-up list; check photo ID for any new person.

• Keep child records, screening results and family information confidential, during and after employment.

• Report suspected abuse or neglect personally and immediately to the DCFS Hotline, View phone number on aiapply.co, then notify the Director.

• Supervise, train, and assign duties to Assistant Teachers, Student/Youth Aides and volunteers in the classroom.

• Through June 30, 2029, a Lead Teacher with 2,880 documented hours as a teacher at LLLC may be designated to open or close the center in the Director's absence (407.130(l)(4)).

• Take part in center-wide decisions, staff meetings, parent conferences, and family events

Lead Teacher Benefit Package

• Health, vision and dental insurance options available after 1st day of the month after 60 calendar days of employment

• Up to $50,000 life insurance policy

• 401(k) with company match for qualifying staff.

• Voluntary Benefits (Critical Illness, Short-Term disability, Accident/Incident, Hospital Indemnity)

• Mileage reimbursement

• Up to 376 hours of paid time off just within your first year of employment! Includes 13 paid holidays, up to 40 hours personal time, 12 sick days, 40 hours bereavement leave, 12 vacation days (6 month probation period), and 8 hours volunteer paid time off per year.

• Paid advanced trainings and certification opportunities

• Leadership & Advancement Opportunities

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer

• Additional opportunities for compensation are available above starting salary

Salary Range: $20.50 - 20.75 per hour

*This is a bargaining unit, union position

Questions? visit myarrowleaf.org/employment or call View phone number on aiapply.co to learn more!

Arrowleaf is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Arrowleaf will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations unless the accommodation will impose an undue hardship. If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Human Resources.

Arrowleaf is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) and to compliance with all Federal, State and local laws regarding it. EEO is a set of standards that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person’s actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, gender identity, and sexual orientation), marital status, national origin, ancestry, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information (including family history), order of protection status, or military status or unfavorable discharge from military service. The laws apply to all types of work situations, including recruiting, hiring, disciplinary actions, terminations, promotions, pay practices, training, wages, and benef its.