Early Childhood Lead Teacher - Northbrook / Bernard Weinger (FT)

Job Description

Job Description

For the 2026-2027 school year, JCC Chicago seeks a dynamic, dedicated Lead Teacher to join our amazing team at our Northbrook/Bernard Weinger location. This position starts ASAP and works with toddlers. Be part of a team of educators, social workers, and specialists who support the whole child through a developmentally appropriate curriculum that embraces Jewish life and complements what happens at home.

Classrooms are the first community. When we speak about community, we speak about places of sharing, learning, growing, and connection. We are committed to excellence, providing strong professional development opportunities and nature-inspired classrooms that allow our staff to be their most creative selves. With our ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest DCFS standards, we are looking for individuals who are enthusiastic about guiding each child to reach their full potential.

Job Summary

The Lead Teacher is a critical member of a team of educators, social workers, and specialists who support the whole child through a developmentally appropriate curriculum that embraces Jewish life and complements what happens at home.

As a Reggio Emilia-inspired early childhood program, we support the individual needs and abilities of each student through an emergent, play-based curriculum. We are looking for professional educators who are interested in growing with us.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Be responsible for the safety and welfare of children, supervising all children by sight and sound.
• Lead your teaching team in implementing a program that includes elements of JCC Chicago's integrated secular and Jewish curriculum.
• Provide and maintain an atmosphere conducive to emotional and cognitive growth.
• Establish and maintain strong communication and a sense of community with directors, staff, and parents.
• Make families feel welcome by greeting them personally by name and sharing specific information regarding their child.
• Foster a collaborative, team-focused atmosphere in the classroom, teaching site, and agency as a whole.
• Actively participate in a minimum of 15 hours of staff meetings, trainings, and ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Lead your teaching team in maintaining DCFS and Illinois state standards.

Additional Responsibilities

• Communicate developmental skills being targeted in learning experiences during discussions with parents, the teaching team, and through documentation, including weekly newsletters.
• Maintain knowledge of early childhood best practices through professional development, reading, and active communication with directors and the social services team.
• Be responsible for the written and photo content of newsletters, portfolios, and mass communications to classroom families.
• Lead regular and meaningful communication with families, including in-person meetings, virtual meetings, emails, Kaymbu communications, biannual parent-teacher conferences, and portfolios.
• Take initiative and maintain a broad awareness of all aspects of the teaching role, including classroom management, daily tasks, social-emotional needs of children, daily scheduling, and adapting to classroom needs.
• Demonstrate awareness of the classroom environment and actively move throughout learning spaces.
• Be responsible for classroom setup and lesson plan preparation.
• Maintain respect for children and team members at all times.
• Follow and successfully implement guidelines established by the Social Services Department when raising concerns about a child's development or behavior.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Duties / Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift and move with children (up to 40 lbs.).
• Must demonstrate physical stamina and agility, including the ability to be mobile for extended periods throughout the day.
• Must be able to move easily and quickly from sitting (chair or floor) to standing.
• Must be able to stand for long periods and actively engage physically with children, including running when necessary.
• Must be able to respond effectively to emergency situations, including carrying children up to 40 lbs.
• Must be able to supervise children by sight and sound.
• Maintain a sense of calm, perspective, and physical and mental alertness during stressful situations.

Days/Hours

Full-Time Position: Monday-Friday, 10:30 AM-5:30 PM

Job Category

Union Professional

Salary Range

$18.36-$28.56 per hour, based on experience

Education Qualifications

One of the following is required:

• Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree, or higher in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, or Early Childhood Special Education.

OR

• An early childhood equivalency recognized by DCFS, defined as at least 60 college/university credit hours, including at least 6 credit hours in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, or Early Childhood Special Education.

OR

• A Bachelor's degree in any discipline with at least 6 college/university credit hours in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, or Early Childhood Special Education.

OR

• A CDA credential, or 30 college credit hours plus 6 semester hours in Early Childhood Education and one year (1,560 clock hours) of child development experience in a nursery school, kindergarten, or licensed daycare center.

Other Requirements

• At least 19 years of age.
• A love for children and a passion for helping them reach their full potential.
• Ability to build relationships with families and coworkers and create a dynamic environment where children's curiosity is encouraged and celebrated.
• Infant Room certification.

Employee Benefits

JCC Chicago offers an array of benefits to full-time union staff, depending on hours worked, including:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Participation in a retirement plan with matching contributions
• Life insurance and short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Vacation time, sick time, and paid observance of secular and Jewish religious holidays
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Uniquely JCC Benefits

• Free fitness membership at JCC Chicago community centers and aquatics facilities
• Meaningful discounts on JCC Chicago programming, including day and overnight camp, early childhood programs, and event rentals
• Professional development opportunities through JUF/Jewish Federation
• Tuition Assistance Program