Assistant Instructor - PFA/PFA-E Lead Teacher (2 Vacancies)

Salary: $3,950.00 Monthly
Location : Carbondale, Illinois
Job Type: Faculty
Job Number: 2600114
Department: School of Education-SIUC
Opening Date: 04/22/2026
FLSA:: Exempt
Security/Safety Sensitive:: Security sensitive (subject to pre-employment criminal background investigation)
FTE: 1.0


Description


Implement the Preschool for All or Preschool for All Expansion Program, which includes providing educational and social opportunities for children in a classroom setting. Maintain all necessary records and documentation in accordance with program requirements. Serve as a model early childhood professional through interactions with children, families, program staff, public school personnel, and collaborative partners. Exhibit developmentally appropriate teaching practices in planning, implementing, and evaluating curriculum. Maintain a high standard in all interactions and administrative functions. Demonstrate respect for all team members at all times. Become involved in professional activities as an advocate for children and families.

Due to the newly established $100,000 fee for H-1B petitions requesting consular processing outside of the U.S., Southern Illinois University is unable to provide H-1B sponsorship at this time for any prospective applicant who is outside of the U.S. and requires consular processing.


Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.


This is a grant-funded position represented by SIU Carbondale Non-Tenure Track Faculty Association/IEA-NEA. For more information regarding salary and other details please visit:

Examples of Duties
Plan and implement the Preschool for All Program.

1. Provide and maintain daily care, safety, and well-being of all children in the classroom.
2. Create and maintain a classroom environment for the active needs of young children that includes constant supervision, physical and emotional support, care of the children, and daily interactions with families and caregivers.
3. Perform daily tasks of book reading, singing, dancing, feeding, carrying, calming, and comforting children, cleaning classroom materials and spaces, and providing a safe, supportive, and educational environment.
4. Make referrals to Special Education and other community services.
5. Involve parents in planning and programming and share information about their child's overall development.
6. Collaborate with team teacher and Instructional Leader/Family Support Specialist to plan and document appropriate family involvement activities, which include personal visits, parent workshops, field trips, and other programming based on the needs of families.
7. Create and maintain developmental portfolios that document and assess the needs, interests, and development of each child.
8. Supervise, mentor, and provide feedback to university practicum students (as the Cooperating Teacher), which includes documentation of implementation, midterm and final documentation and conferences. Oversight will also be provided to high school and elementary students, and others who are volunteering or otherwise participating in the program.
9. Prepare and disseminate a monthly newsletter/calendar to families, Instructional Leader/Family Support Specialist, Regional Coordinator, and School Administrators.
10. Provide parents, upon program entry, with program and other information regarding guidance, program requirements, and program policies.
11. Record all family involvement.

Participate in the recruitment and screening of participants.

1. Collaborate with local agencies and community programs to identify and recruit families.
2. Conduct screenings and evaluating results to determine program eligibility utilizing the Brigance Screens III or the Ages and Stages Questionnaires, Family Interview, and Home Language Survey.
3. Work with the team teacher and Instructional Leader/Family Support Specialist to enroll the most at-risk children, as determined by the eligibility point system for the Preschool for All/Expansion (3-5) program.
4. Provide families with enrollment paperwork and complete other forms of documentation.
5. Participate in Child Find Screenings and provide ongoing screenings of children and document observations, working with the team teacher to submit the Monthly Screening Eligibility Form to the Regional Coordinator/Center Director.

Administrative responsibilities.

1. Meet the needs of the families involved in the program.
2. Participate in ongoing team development with the other Prekindergarten Teachers, and Instructional Leader/Family Support staff and attend all staff meetings, regional meetings, reflective supervision, and Professional Learning Community meetings.
3. Maintain ongoing communication with Regional Coordinator, Instructional Leader/Family Support Specialist, Program Director, and central office.
4. Complete and submit program paperwork such as absence requests, physical forms, annual inventory forms, meal records, transportation, substitute teacher paperwork, etc., in a timely manner.

Professional responsibilities.

1. Serve as a model of professionalism through ongoing communication and interactions with children, families, program staff, and collaborative partners, and all written documentation.
2. Follow all PFA /PFA-E and ECERS rules and regulations, including but not limited to maintaining accurate and complete records and children's files and ensuring compliance with classroom material requirements.
3. Participate in annual performance evaluation process, including the annual program evaluation, professional development plan, self-reflection, and professional portfolio.
4. Participate in appropriate professional development opportunities such as workshops, conferences, and university classes.
5. Perform all duties as requested by the Program Coordinator, Instructional Leader, and/or Program Director.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with an Active Illinois Professional Educator License AND endorsement in Early Childhood Education by date of hire; or a letter from the Illinois State Board of Education stating that the Professional Educator License (PEL) with an endorsement in Early Childhood Education will be issued by the date of hire, or the Illinois Professional Development System Gateway of Opportunity Level 5 EC Credential, with a written plan to complete the PEL with an EC Endorsement by June 30, 2027, as required by the Illinois State Board of Education-also required by date of hire.
• At least 1 year of experience working in a prekindergarten classroom setting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Early Childhood Special Education Approval/Endorsement and/or experience working with children with IEPs or 504 plans
• Bilingual Endorsement and/or ability to speak and/or write in Spanish
• Experience implementing Creative Curriculum and Developmental Assessments (Early Learning Scale, TS Gold, Developmental Portfolios, ASQ/ASQ-SE, Brigance Screens III, etc.)
• Experience with DCFS licensing standards in a childcare or prekindergarten setting
• Experience working with diverse populations of families with young children.

R equired Documents : Submit a letter of application, CV, transcripts, and three references.

Contact: Micki Moon,
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is an R1 Opportunity University with a statewide economic impact of $2.7 billion dollars. We offer 200+ undergraduate degrees, minors and specializations, 79 master's degrees, and 40 doctoral degrees. Our main campus is 1,136 acres, with additional acreage in University Farms, Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center, and other facilities. The university is an essential part of the city of Carbondale and an important contributor to the culture of the entire region. While Carbondale includes many of the amenities of urban life, it retains its small-town flavor. Cost of living is considerably lower in the region than similar areas elsewhere, and many employees commute from nearby counties.

The Southern Illinois region is distinct from the rest of the state, boasting considerable natural beauty including the Shawnee National Forest, many state parks, national wildlife areas, and several lakes beloved for recreation. Local foods are readily available in the area, with a variety of eateries and a growing specialized food truck presence. The area is home to the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, an official wine appellation designation. The wineries extend the cultural reach of the community, hosting live music and continual art exhibits. The campus itself is a microcosm of the area, with a lake and forest on campus, as well as traditional collegiate architecture, quad, and residential halls. Students enjoy outdoor study areas as well as specialized computer labs scattered across campus, including in the three million volume Morris Library. To learn about , , and find resources about Carbondale and the Southern Illinois region, visit:
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer dedicated to building a community of excellence, equity, and diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran. The university will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders, and regulations.
University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Service (CMS). These benefits include: Health Insurance plans (HMOs, OAPs, QCHP and CDHP), Dental Insurance, Vision Plan, Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Supplemental Long Term Disability (LTD), Flex Spending Accounts, MCAP and DCAP, and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan.

Eligible employees are required to participate in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS). SURS is the retirement administrator for employees in public higher education in the State of Illinois.

Other benefits available to eligible employees include: Generous paid time-off, 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plans, and Employee Assistance Program.
SIUC also provides extensive tuition benefits for its employees and their families such as: tuition waiver/application fee waiver for the employee and their dependents , a Legacy tuition rate for children of SIU Alumni , and Civil Service Employee Counsel (CSEC) Education Assistance Program (EAP)

For more information please visit: