Preschool Teacher

Job Description

Job Description

Benefits/Perks

• Competitive Compensations
• Career Advancement Opportunities
• Great Work Environment

Job Summary:
The German International School Chicago (GISC) is seeking a qualified Early Childhood Educator to join one of our preschool groups. GISC is a nonprofit, bilingual private school offering a rich international learning environment. Our preschool  program consists of two to three groups, each with a maximum of 16 children from age 3-5 years old and two educators per group.  We are an immersion-based program with German as the primary language of instruction. 

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate, play-based learning experiences that support children’s cognitive, social-emotional, and language development within a German immersion environment
• Create a safe, nurturing, and engaging classroom environment, using positive guidance strategies to support children’s behavior and independence
• Observe, document, and assess children’s development, and communicate regularly with families about children’s progress and learning experiences
• Participating in team meetings and professional workshops
• Conducting parent-teacher conferences
• Contributing to school-wide events and activities
• Collaborating with colleagues on curriculum planning and development

Qualifications & Requirements (Illinois – DCFS Aligned)

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a closely related field preferred
  Alternatively: A German state-recognized qualification ( staatliche Anerkennung als Erzieher/in ) or a degree in Childhood Education ( Kindheitspädagogik, B.A. ), 
• Experience working with children ages 3–6 in a licensed preschool, daycare, or early childhood setting
• Fluency in German is required (near-native proficiency expected), as German is the primary language of instruction in the classroom; native German speakers are strongly preferred
• Strong German and English communication skills required for effective collaboration with families and colleagues
• Strong understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate practice (DAP), including play-based and inquiry-based learning
• Experience supporting early language development and emergent literacy; experience in bilingual or immersion settings is a plus
• Ability to plan and implement age-appropriate curriculum aligned with children’s developmental needs, including differentiated instruction
• Demonstrated skills in classroom management, with a focus on positive guidance and social-emotional development
• Experience working collaboratively in a teaching team and maintaining professional, responsive communication with families
• Strong organizational skills, reliability, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• High level of cultural competence and ability to work effectively in an international school environment