Benefits:

Professional Development Assistance

Referral Program

Retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Employee discounts

Health insurance

Paid time off

Signing bonus

Vision insurance

The Goddard School of South Loop – Chicago, IL Full-Time | Lead Pre-K Teacher

Do you love helping young children grow into confident, curious and independent learners?

The Goddard School of South Loop is looking for an experienced and passionate Lead Pre-Kindergarten Teacher to guide children through one of the most important transitions in early childhood: getting ready for Kindergarten. We are looking for an educator who understands that Kindergarten readiness is about much more than letters, numbers and worksheets. It includes building confidence, independence, communication skills, emotional regulation, problem-solving, curiosity, classroom habits and a genuine love of learning.

Our Pre-K teachers play an important role in helping children leave Goddard feeling prepared not only academically, but socially and emotionally for their next school experience.

What You'll Do

As a Lead Pre-K Teacher, you will take ownership of your classroom and create an engaging, purposeful learning environment that prepares children for Kindergarten while preserving the joy, creativity and exploration that should define early childhood.

You will:

Build warm, trusting relationships with children and families

Plan and implement engaging, developmentally appropriate Pre-K learning experiences

Support Kindergarten readiness across literacy, early math, science, writing, communication, social-emotional development and executive functioning skills

Help children develop independence with routines, belongings, self-help skills and classroom responsibilities

Encourage children to ask questions, solve problems, collaborate and think independently

Help children strengthen listening skills, attention, persistence and the ability to participate successfully in a group setting

Observe and document children's developmental and academic progress

Identify individual areas of strength and areas where additional support may be helpful

Communicate regularly and professionally with families about children's growth and readiness

Create meaningful small-group and individualized learning opportunities when appropriate

Maintain an organized, welcoming and stimulating classroom environment

Provide active supervision and ensure children's safety throughout the day

Lead and guide supporting teachers in maintaining consistent classroom expectations and routines

Collaborate with school leadership and other educators to support each child's transition to Kindergarten

Participate in school events, professional development and team initiatives

Kindergarten Readiness Is More Than Academics

We believe a Kindergarten-ready child is not simply a child who can read early or complete advanced worksheets.

Our goal is to help children enter Kindergarten able to:

Communicate their ideas, questions and needs confidently

Follow classroom routines and multi-step directions

Work independently for increasingly longer periods

Participate appropriately in group learning

Build positive relationships with teachers and peers

Manage age-appropriate frustration and emotions

Solve problems and ask for help when needed

Take responsibility for personal belongings and classroom materials

Demonstrate curiosity and enthusiasm for learning

Build foundational literacy, writing and mathematical thinking skills

Approach new experiences with confidence and resilience

Our Pre-K teachers intentionally develop these skills throughout the year while recognizing that every child develops at their own pace.

The Teacher We're Looking For

We're especially interested in educators who:

Genuinely enjoy working with four- and five-year-old children

Are warm, patient and nurturing while maintaining clear classroom expectations

Understand child development and developmentally appropriate Kindergarten readiness

Can balance purposeful teaching with play, exploration and child-led learning

Take ownership of their classroom and children's progress

Are observant and able to recognize when a child may need additional support or challenge

Are comfortable communicating children's progress thoughtfully with families

Understand that active supervision and children's safety always come first

Are dependable and understand how important consistency is for children

Communicate professionally with families, coworkers and leadership

Are receptive to coaching and interested in continuing to grow

Can provide leadership and direction to supporting teachers

Bring positive energy, creativity and solutions when challenges arise

You do not need to know everything on Day One. We value educators who are reflective, willing to learn, receptive to feedback and committed to becoming stronger teachers.

What You Can Expect From Us

We believe that taking care of children begins with taking care of the educators who teach them.

At The Goddard School of South Loop, we strive to create an environment where teachers feel supported, appreciated and able to grow professionally.

Depending on eligibility and position, our team members may receive:

Competitive compensation based on education and experience

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Health and other eligible benefits

401(k) benefits

Childcare benefits/discounts

Professional development and training opportunities

Support with continuing education and credential advancement

Opportunities for increased responsibility and career growth

Curriculum and classroom resources

Regular appreciation and recognition throughout the year

An accessible leadership team that is actively involved in the school

We believe good work should be noticed and strong educators should have opportunities to continue developing their skills and careers.

A School Where Teachers Can Grow

Our leadership philosophy is centered around support, coaching and accountability.

Teaching Pre-K comes with an important responsibility. Families trust us to help prepare their children for the transition into Kindergarten, and we take that responsibility seriously. Our leadership team works alongside teachers to identify challenges, provide resources, strengthen classroom practices and help educators succeed. At the same time, we maintain high expectations for children's safety, professionalism, reliability, classroom engagement and quality education.

If you are looking for a classroom where learning means handing children worksheets or simply keeping them occupied throughout the day, this probably isn't the right position.

But if you want to help children become confident thinkers, capable learners and excited future Kindergarteners, we would love to meet you.

Qualifications

Ideal candidates will have:

Experience teaching Preschool or Pre-K-aged children

Early Childhood Education coursework, degree, CDA or equivalent qualifications preferred

Ability to meet Illinois DCFS Lead Teacher requirements

Knowledge of child development and Kindergarten readiness expectations

Strong classroom management and positive guidance skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Ability to observe, document and communicate children's developmental progress

Ability to meet the physical requirements of an early childhood classroom

Commitment to maintaining all licensing, health and safety requirements

Experienced Preschool teachers who meet Lead Teacher qualifications and are ready to take the next step into a Pre-K leadership role are also encouraged to apply.

Help Children Take Their Next Big Step Many of our students spend several years growing with us before graduating from Goddard and beginning Kindergarten. Our Pre-K teachers have the unique opportunity to bring those years of development together—helping children recognize how capable they have become and preparing them to confidently take their next step. We want our graduates to leave us not only knowing more, but believing:

I can learn. I can solve problems. I can make friends. I can take care of myself. I can ask for help. And I am ready for Kindergarten.

If that is the kind of impact you want to have as an educator, we would love to hear from you.

Apply today and tell us what Kindergarten readiness means to you.

Note: Candidate Should to Co-VID Vaccinated.

Each Goddard School location is privately owned and operated by Goddard Franchisor LLC franchisees. The Goddard School franchise owner(s) are the employers at each school, and the franchise owner(s) set their own wage and benefit programs, which vary by location.