Junior Kindergarten Lead Teacher

Catherine Cook; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Catherine Cook School seeks a Junior Kindergarten Lead Teacher who embodies creativity, compassion, and collaboration. This role emphasizes ongoing professional growth and aims to foster a nurturing environment that promotes academic excellence and social-emotional development for young children.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

403(b) plan

Professional Development opportunities

Generous paid time off

Pet Insurance

Identity Theft Protection

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of early childhood development and neurodiversity.
• Ability to implement inquiry-based curriculum.
• Experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.

Responsibilities

• Communicate student progress and classroom activities effectively.
• Participate in DEI and SEL initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with students and colleagues.

Skills

Early Childhood Development

Collaboration

Communication

Inclusivity

Social-Emotional Learning

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education

Tools

Google Applications

Outlook

Seesaw

Job description

• Type: Full-Time, 10 months
• Supervisor: Head of Early Childhood
• Location: Chicago, IL, on-site
• Starting Date: August 2025

Why consider Catherine Cook School?

Cook is a vibrant and inclusive learning community where curiosity, connection, and compassion are at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to developing creative, collaborative problem solvers who tackle global challenges from multiple perspectives. Our dedicated faculty and staff help students from preschool through 8th grade become empowered learners and leaders.

All Cook employees are trained and supported in incorporating wellness and belonging into their work with students and adults. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and social-emotional learning (SEL) are the cornerstones upon which we build a curriculum and community. At Cook, we are committed to empowering all community members to be active learners, from our preschool students to our adult staff.

We invite you to consider how Cook will benefit from having you, along with your experiences in educating and learning, as a part of our community.

How will this role contribute to the growth of the Cook community?

As a Junior Kindergarten Lead Teacher, you'll thrive within a community that uniquely values:

• Continuous Learning and Growth: We actively seek educators who are always eager to learn more. You won't just be teaching; you'll be part of a vibrant learning community that encourages ongoing professional development and reflection.

• Empowering Leaders and Learners: We foster a culture where both students and staff are empowered to be leaders and learners. You'll have the space to innovate in your classroom and contribute to the broader school community, helping children discover their own leadership potential.

• A Culture of Wellness and Belonging: Catherine Cook is more than a school; it's a place of wellness and belonging. We prioritize creating a supportive, empathetic, and inclusive environment for everyone — children, families, and staff.

• An Innovator's Mindset: We're not afraid to try new things! We embrace an innovator's mindset, encouraging creativity, experimentation, and a forward-thinking approach to early childhood education. Your ideas are valued here.

• Commitment to Academic Excellence: While nurturing and play-based, we also strive for academic excellence — not just for our students, but for ourselves as educators. We encourage you to push your boundaries and deliver the highest quality learning experiences.

This unique combination of values creates a dynamic and supportive environment where you can truly thrive as an early childhood educator, making a profound impact on the lives of young children.

How You'll Contribute and Grow

In this role, you will:

• Apply new insights and skills gained from ongoing professional development and collaborative team meetings.

• Proactively and reflectively communicate student progress, curriculum initiatives, and classroom activities through various platforms with both internal and external collaborators.

• Actively participate in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and social-emotional learning (SEL) efforts to strengthen our culture of belonging and wellness.

• Serve as an Ambassador for our Enrollment Management and Development efforts.

• Utilize Google and Outlook applications for individual and team collaboration and communication.

• Build strong relationships with students and colleagues through shared responsibilities and administrative support tasks.

What will the ideal candidate for this role embody?

We're looking for a Junior Kindergarten Teacher who embodies the following qualities and skills:

• A Nurturing and Engaging Educator:

• Creates a classroom community that is caring, patient, compassionate, curious, and joyful, where students can explore and express their ideas.

• Understands and implements emergent and inquiry-based curriculum, integrating early literacy, math, science, and social studies concepts into child-led play.

• Possesses a strong understanding of early childhood development and neurodiversity, employing a diverse toolkit of strategies and resources to provide individualized support for all learners.

• Confidently plans and organizes an environment rich with interesting and engaging materials.

• A Reflective and Collaborative Professional:

• Adapts to new situations and consistently reflects on teaching practice.

• Actively collaborates with teaching assistants, grade-level team members, enrichment teachers, Head of Early Childhood, and school leadership to create cohesive learning experiences and support student growth.

• Mentors and guides Teaching Assistants to enhance classroom support and student engagement.

• Actively pursues professional development and stays current with the latest trends and best practices.

• Cultivates openness to learning and willingness to explore new ideas.

• A Skilled Communicator and Assessor:

• Assesses students through observations to guide learning and teaching.

• Effectively documents student learning and communicates progress clearly and thoughtfully with parents/caregivers through conferences and well-written progress reports.

• Drives student learning and parent communication through the effective use of technology, specifically by maintaining a classroom Seesaw account and leveraging Microsoft and Google applications.

• An Advocate for Inclusivity and Social-Emotional Growth:

• Applies developmentally appropriate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices to foster kindness, bravery, and empathy.

• Develops lessons and projects that broaden students' perspectives on self, others, and the global community regarding race, ethnicity, and culture.

• Applies Social-Emotional Learning strategies to help students understand and manage emotions, show empathy, and build positive relationships.

• A Community Builder:

• Intentionally cultivates strong connections with students, parents, caregivers, colleagues, and the wider community.

What is the salary range for this position?

In compliance with IL’s Equal Pay Act, this position's salary range is $50,000 - $115,000. When extending an offer, Catherine Cook considers factors such as (but not limited to) the position's scope and responsibilities, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, and market and organizational considerations.

Catherine Cook School is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

What else is there to know about employment at Cook?

Catherine Cook offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the well-being and financial security of our employees. Our benefits for full-time eligible employees include:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage

• 403(b) plan

• 100% of the premium is covered for Basic Life insurance, STD, LTD, AD&D

• HSA, FSA, and Dependent Care FSA available

• Professional Development opportunities

• Generous paid time off

• Pet Insurance

• Identity Theft Protection