Early Childhood Lead Teacher - Beth Emet/Evanston (FT/PT)

JCC Chicago; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan with matching

Paid holidays and vacation

EAP

Free fitness membership

Job summary

JCC Chicago in Evanston seeks a Lead Teacher to join our early childhood program for the 2026-2027 school year. The role focuses on safeguarding children, guiding a teaching team, and delivering a developmentally appropriate curriculum that reflects Jewish life and complements home learning.

The Lead Teacher collaborates with a diverse staff, communicates with families, and participates in ongoing professional development to foster emotional and cognitive growth in children.

Qualifications

• Associates or Bachelors degree in Early Childhood, Child Development, Elementary Education or Early Childhood Special Education.
• Equivalency of an Associates degree in Early Childhood with 60 credits and 6 ECE credits.
• A Bachelor's degree with 6 ECE credits or equivalent.
• CDA or 30 hours college plus 6 ECE credits and 1,560 hours of child development experience.

Responsibilities

• Be responsible for the safety and welfare of the children, supervising all children by sight and sound.
• Lead teaching team in implementing a program with integrated secular and Jewish curriculum.
• Provide an atmosphere conducive to emotional and cognitive growth.
• Maintain communication with directors, staff, and parents.
• Lead team in maintaining DCFS and Illinois state standards.

Education

Associates or Bachelors degree in Early Childhood or related field

DCFS credits/alternative credential equivalency

CDA or 30 hours + 6 ECE credits + 1,560 clock hours experience

Bachelor's degree with 6 ECE credits

Job description

For the 2026-2027 school year, the JCC Chicago seeks a dynamic, dedicated Lead Teacher to join our amazing team at our Beth Emet/Evanston location, to start ASAP. 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 those who are enthusiastic about guiding each child to reach their full potential.

Learn more here: Early Childhood Careers at the JCC Chicago

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.

Key areas of responsibility

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

Additional responsibilities

• Can speak to the developmental skills being targeted in learning experiences following discussions with parents, teaching team, and in documentation, including weekly newsletters.
• Maintains education in Early Childhood best practices through professional development, reading, and active communication with directors and social services team.
• Responsible for the written and photo content of all newsletters, portfolios, and mass communications to classroom families.
• Leads regular, and meaningful, communication with families, including, but not limited to, in-person conversations/meetings, virtual meetings, emails, Kaymbu communication, bi-yearly parent-teacher conversations, and portfolios.
• Takes initiative in, and has a global awareness of, all aspects of the teaching position including classroom management, daily tasks, social-emotional needs of children, moving effectively through daily schedule, adjusting to the needs in the classroom.
• Demonstrates awareness of classroom environment and physically moving through the spaces.
• Responsible for classroom set up and preparation of lesson plans.
• Always maintains respect for children and team.
• Follows and successfully implements guidelines set forth by the Social Services department when raising any concerns about a child’s development or behavior in a classroom setting.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Duties / Physical Duties

• Must be able to lift and move with children (up to 40lbs.)
• Must demonstrate physical stamina and agility including the ability to be mobile for long periods throughout the day.
• Demonstrated ability to move from sitting (on chair or floor) to standing position easily and quickly;
• Must be able to stand for long periods of time and be able to run and be actively engaged physically with children.
• Must be able to respond to emergency situations, moving from sitting to standing, carrying children up to 40lbs and running quickly and effectively.
• Must be able to supervise children by sight and sound.

Days/Hours

Monday- Friday, 8:30AM - 5:00PM.

Job Category

Union Professional

Salary Range

$18.36 -$28.56 based on experience

Education Qualifications

• Associates or Bachelors degree or higher in Early Childhood, Child Development, Elementary Education or Early Childhood Special Education.

OR

• The equivalency of an Associates degree in Early Childhood, defined by DCFS least 60 college/university credits with at least 6 college credit hours in Early Childhood, Child Development, Elementary Education or Early Childhood Special Education.

OR

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

OR

• CDA or 30 hours college plus 6 semester hours of ECE and one year (1,560 clock hours) of child development experience in a nursery school, kindergarten, or licensed day care 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 certified.

Employee Benefits

• JCC Chicago offers an array of benefits to full-time union staff, depending on number of hours worked, including:
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Participation in a retirement plan with matching contributions
• Life insurance and short/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, and event rentals
• Professional development opportunities with the JUF/Jewish Federation
• Tuition Assistance Program

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