Family First Center of Lake County ISBE Preschool for All Lead Teacher Waukegan, IL · Full time Company website

Apply for ISBE Preschool for All Lead Teacher

Family First Center provides comprehensive behavioral health, case management, and community-based programming designed to improve access, stability, and well-being for families across Lake County. Services include individual therapy, case management, youth programming, community events, and resource navigation. Mission Statement “To nurture, educate, and provide opportunities within the community by placing emphasis on rebuilding the family, repairing division, and developing strategies to empower change to create a strong family support system.”

Position Summary

 The ISBE Preschool for All Lead Teacher serves as the educational cornerstone of the Preschool for All program at Family First Center of Lake County. This critical role is dedicated to delivering high-quality, developmentally appropriate instruction while fostering a safe, nurturing, and engaging classroom environment that promotes school readiness and whole-child development. The Lead Teacher ensures full compliance with Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Preschool for All requirements, the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS), ExceleRate Illinois expectations, and all applicable regulatory standards. Acting as a collaborative bridge between children, families, support staff, and program leadership, the Lead Teacher integrates curriculum implementation, child assessment, family engagement, and classroom management to support each child’s academic, social-emotional, and developmental success and to advance the mission of serving children and families throughout the Lake County community.

 

Core Responsibilities

 ·      Develop and implement lesson plans aligned with the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS).

·      Incorporate literacy, math, science, social-emotional learning, creative arts, and play-based instruction.

·      Maintain a safe, nurturing, structured, and inclusive classroom environment.

·      Conduct developmental observations, screenings, and progress monitoring.

·      Maintain accurate student records and compliance documentation.

·      Build positive and professional relationships with families and conduct parent conferences.

·      Maintain compliance with ISBE Preschool for All standards, ExceleRate requirements, and DCFS regulations.

·      Supervise classroom assistants and provide day-to-day instructional leadership to ensure consistency, quality, and compliance within the Preschool for All classroom.

·      Collaborate with classroom assistants, specialists, administrators, and community partners.

·      Participate in required professional development and ongoing training.

Qualifications & Skills

 Required:

·      Active Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL).

·      Early Childhood Education endorsement qualifying the individual to teach children Birth through Grade 2.

·      Eligibility to serve as the Lead Teacher in an ISBE Preschool for All classroom.

·      Strong understanding of child development and early childhood best practices.

·      Knowledge of Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS).

·      Strong organizational, communication, and documentation skills.

·      Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

·      Ability to actively supervise young children throughout the school day.

·      Ability to bend, kneel, lift, and engage in classroom activities with preschool-aged children

 

Preferred:

Experience working in an early childhood or preschool classroom.

Experience supporting school readiness, social-emotional development, and individualized learning needs.

Experience with ISBE Preschool for All, ExceleRate Illinois, or DCFS licensing requirements.

 

About Family First Center of Lake County: Our Mission, “To nurture, educate, and provide opportunities within the community by placing emphasis on rebuilding the family, repairing division, and developing strategies to empower change to create a strong family support system.”

 

Equal Opportunity Employer: Family First Center of Lake County is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.