Lead Teacher
Job Title: Lead Teacher
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Department: Early Childhood Services
Immediate Supervisor: Educational Site Director
During: Full Time (40 Hours/Week); School Year (42 weeks per year)
Date of Update: June 2026
Job Summary
The Lead Teacher provides leadership for the classroom and is responsible for managing all aspects of the classroom including planning and implementing a developmentally appropriate educational program to meet the needs of the children enrolled in the classroom and the Illinois Early Learning Standards. The Lead Teacher is responsible for building a classroom culture that is inclusive, supportive, and appropriate for the staff, children, and families while meeting mandated federal, state, and local standards. The Lead Teacher will provide guidance and supportive supervision for other adults in the classroom including Assistant Teachers, Floating Assistants, Foster Grandparents, interns, and volunteers.
Responsibilities and Duties
· Promote engagement in positive parent/child relationships, families as lifelong educators, families as learners, family engagement in transitions, family connections to peers and community, family well-being, and families as advocates and leaders.
· Demonstrate knowledgeable of the Head Start Performance Standards, DCFS Licensing Standard, and Agency Policy’s.
· Demonstrate a warm, supportive attitude toward children, families, and staff.
· Must be flexible.
· Demonstrate a willingness to accept supervision to improve work performance.
· Complete and maintain accurate attendance, meal counts, and health checks documentation daily.
· Encourage a consistent and structured classroom environment that fully engages the children and is appropriate for their learning and developmental needs.
· Assure that children achieve all learning and developmental outcomes and kindergarten readiness skills, preparing them for transition.
· Produce positive individual and classroom outcome reports using Teaching Strategies Gold System. Documentation through observations is collaboration within the teaching team and the Lead Teacher will ensure all is completed.
· Must complete the Gold Interrater Reliability Certification in the Teaching Strategies Gold System and maintain the certificate update every three years.
· Complete ongoing observations, child development plans, and individual forms.
· Complete and submit all required records, reports and forms accurately and on time.
Ø Child Behavior Notes if you see it, you document it.
Ø Accident/Illness Report if you see it, you document it.
Ø Complete Lesson plans and parent notes bi-weekly.
· Implement a range of activities to enhance the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical potential of each child in compliance with approved Research Based Early Childhood curriculum guidelines.
· Implement activities for children with disabilities in accordance with their Individualized Educational Plans (IEP).
· Visit each child’s home at least twice a year, attend two parent conferences, and attend additional visits and conferences as needed.
· Assist in providing training to Foster Grandparents, interns, and classroom volunteers.
· Ensure a safe environment through daily classroom inspections of materials and equipment following the Head Start Performance Standards and the DCFS Licensing Standards. Report unsafe/unhealthy conditions to appropriate person.
· Always use Active Supervision techniques.
· Eat with the children and provide appropriate discussions for mealtimes.
· Arrange physical space into defined learning centers with a variety of materials rotated frequently and with the children’s materials separated from teacher supplies. Ensuring both active and quiet areas with individually labeled spaces for each child’s belongings.
· Rooms should be organized, materials stored neatly and cleaned daily.
· Attend no less than 15 clock hours of professional development per year.
· Due to the nature of this program, all staff members must be willing to perform all other duties as assigned to maintain a quality program for all children and their families being served at Empowerment Opportunity Center.
Qualifications & Experience
Must have at a minimum, associate degree in child development, early childhood education, or equivalent coursework. An associate degree in any other field will require a CDA credential or a state-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential or obtain a CDA within 2 years. They are encouraged to enroll in a program that will lead to a bachelor’s degree in child development, early childhood, or a related field, a minimum of 21 hours of ECE coursework is required.
Lead Teachers must be able to lift at least 40 pounds. Lead Teachers must be free of tuberculosis, pass physical exams and criminal background check prior to employment. The Lead Teacher must meet DCFS Licensing Standards.
Lead Teachers must be able to physically interact with children, including talk, hear, sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, and lift or move items up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities are required for this job including close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus. Must have excellent communication skills including written and verbal. Must be able to manually operate and use a computer/tablet. Must be able to hear and be understood in phone conversations.
Application Procedure
To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and application to Director of Early Childhood Services, via mail, email, or hand delivery. Visit www.empowerdecatur.org/hiring/ to download an application. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.
Job Type: Full Time (40 Hours/Week); School Year (42 weeks per year)
Salary: $19.25-$22.25
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $19.25 - $22.25 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- This job requires a background check are you willing to do one?
Education:
Experience:
- Child Development: 1 year (Preferred)
- Daycare: 1 year (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- Child Development Associate Certification (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
