Position Type:
Early Childhood/Preschool Program
Date Posted:
7/8/2026
Location:
Proegler Early Childhood Education Program
Date Available:
08/03/2026
Position Title:
Head Start Education Support- Fine Arts, Physical Education, Floating Substitute, Interventionist
Payroll/Personnel Type:
9 Months
Reports to:
Director of Early Childhood or Designee
Shift Length:
7.25 Hour Day
Union Eligibility:
Not Eligible
JOB GOALS: Perform specific duties related to the care and education of children and the operation of the classroom.
QUALIFICATIONS: 1. AA Degree (Child Development preferred), or 2. AA with ECE Level 4, or
3. BA in a related field with ECE Level 4
4. For Floating Sub - ISBE Short or Long-Term Substitute Certificate is required.
5. Experience preferred.
General Performance Responsibilities In Classrooms:
1. Assist in carrying out the classroom lesson plans/activities.
2. Carry out and participate in all gross motor and music activities for the children, as planned by the gross motor and music assistants. Actively participate with the children to develop skills. Sitting or standing in groups for adult conversation is not acceptable.
3. Follow a daily schedule of housekeeping, as directed. (wipe tables before and after meals, sweep floor after meals, clean food service surfaces before and after meals,
etc.)
4. Actively participate in greeting children upon arrival, all classroom activities, outdoor play, meals, toileting, hand washing, tooth brushing, field trips, and children's departure.
5. Lead small or large group activities as assigned.
6. Participate in family-style meals, which includes sharing the same menu as the children, allowing children to help with setting up lunch and cleaning up afterwards, and allowing children to serve themselves, pour their own milk, and pass the serving bowls. During meals, provide appropriate discussion about colors, textures, numbers, sizes, shapes, etc., and model good eating habits and table manners. Any other food or beverages must be eaten outside of the classroom during breaks.
7. Assist in observing and documenting progress toward mastery of skills or concepts, as directed.
8. Take initiative to individualize with students during free choice/work times.
9. Assist in preparing the room and materials before the children arrive daily and on institute days.
10. Use time wisely.
11. Demonstrate effective student and classroom management techniques, under the direction of the teacher.
12. Assist in promoting children's language development by modeling appropriate language, using open-ended questions, using a wide variety of vocabulary words, and expanding language concepts.
13. Encourage children to explore, experiment, question, and build concepts.
14. Speak to children respectfully, using a tone and volume appropriate for a preschool setting.
15. Help maintain orderly arrangement of classroom materials and supplies.
16. Assist children during clean-up time to ensure the classroom is ready for the next session.
17. Alert the teacher/administration to all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect.
18. Assist the teacher in monitoring the condition of equipment and materials and the inventory of supplies.
19. Assist in maintaining individual records for each child.
20. Help plan activities and methods for keeping parents interested and involved in their child's development and classroom activities.
21. Constructively participate in all required staff meetings and training sessions.
22. Demonstrate dependability in attendance and punctuality.
23. Follow universal precautions to avoid bloodborne pathogen exposure.
24. Treat everyone with dignity and respect.
25. Follow dress code.
26. Provide and ensure appropriate supervision of students at all times.
27. Maintain positive and productive relationships with all co-workers and supervisor(s).
28. Attend and assist during Education Home Visits, Parent Committee Meetings, and Parent/Teacher Conferences, as scheduled. Bourbonnais, Herscher, and Manteno Education staff must be present at all Parent Committee meetings.
29. Perform additional job related duties as assigned.
30. Must attend all Staff Meetings and ILT Meetings, as directed.
31. Implement the Performance Standards that relate to classroom operations.
Fine Arts Responsibilities:
1. Prepare and maintain a welcoming STEAM / Fine Arts environment
2. Plan and submit weekly lesson plans to provide students with movement activities along with science, technology, engineering, arts, and math learning opportunities
3. Utilize the Picturing America as a resource when planning and preparing lessons and the environment
4. Plan and practice for special events, e.g., Board meetings, Night at the Museum, Open Houses, etc., when applicable
5. Provide breaks for classroom staff and assist with bussing
6. Serve as classroom sub if the need arises
Physical Education Responsibilities:
1. Plan and submit lesson plans that provide instruction and opportunities for
developing motor skills and regular exercise.
2. Take children outside whenever possible.
3. Monitor children's activity closely in order to prevent injury.
4. Maintain a neat and orderly gym environment daily
5. Ensure the playground and outdoor toys are put away daily
6. Provide breaks for classroom staff and assist with bussing
7. Serve as classroom sub if the need arises
Floating Substitute Responsibilities:
1. Floating substitutes must have a reliable vehicle
2. Floating substitutes must be prepared to sub at all of our locations: Bonfield,
Manteno, YWCA, Proegler, Mark Twain, Steuben, and Bourbonnais (Shepherd and Shabbona)
3. Substitute for any vacant position or absence - teacher, paraprofessional, PE, Fine Arts, etc.
4. Substitute assignments typically change daily but they can also be long term.
Interventionist Responsibilities:
1. Must be organized and able to analyze student assessment data 2. Must be able to
work with preschoolers using appropriate instructional strategies 3. Must be able to
document work with students daily
4. Must be able to work independently
5. Must be able to work collaboratively with teachers and other interventionist 6.
Must be able to establish a working schedule to meet the needs of all assigned
students
7. Provide breaks for classroom staff and assist with bussing 8.
Serve as classroom sub if the need arises
Certifications and Training Required:
? CPI
? CPR
? First Aid
? Pyramid Training
? Theraplay Training
? Gateway Registry
? Substitute Certification for Floating Substitute
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Frequency Options:
None
Occasional (0-15% of time)
Frequent (16-50%) of time
Constant (Over 51% of time)
1. Scheduled to work approximately 40 hours per week- constant
2. Exposure to noise- constant
3. Exposure to heights of approximately 3 feet- occasional
4. Exposure to temperatures above 90 degrees- occasional
5. Exposure to chlorine and other cleaning chemicals- occasional
6. Exposure to blood and bodily fluids- frequent
7. Exposure to child aggression and other such hazards- occasional
8. Exposure to dust- occasional
9. Walking a distance of approximately 1-2 miles- constant
10. Carrying approximately 30-50 pounds- occasional
11. Pushing approximately 50 pounds- occasional
12. Lifting approximately 30-50 pounds- occasional
13. Climbing approximately 40 steps- occasional
14. Working alone or independently- occasional
15. Standing. frequent -constant
16. Sitting on a child size chair or on the floor- frequent
17. Bending- frequent
18. Squatting. frequent - constant
19. Kneeling- frequent
20. Climbing stairs- frequent
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.
In connection with hiring for this position, the district shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or national origin.
EOE/AA/D/V
