The Glencoe Park District is a nationally accredited, Gold Medal Award–winning agency dedicated to enriching lives, building community, and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. Our Children’s Circle program is a licensed, full-day early childhood school offering a safe, nurturing, play-based environment that encourages hands-on learning, meaningful interactions, and active exploration for busy families. Join a mission-driven team that invests in its staff and supports professional growth.

Anticipated Start Date - June 15th, 2026

Job Summary: 
Under the direction of the Children’s Circle Classroom Coordinator, the Full-Time Children’s Circle Lead/Co-Lead 
Teacher is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities of participants in the Glencoe Park District 
Children’s Circle Program.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Must be at least 19 years of age.
• At least two years of college credit (30 college credits), including six hours in Early Childhood Education
  from an accredited institution.
• An Early Childhood Education degree or a degree in a related field is preferred.
• Previous experience in a Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)-licensed program is
  preferred.
• General knowledge of DCFS licensing standards and developmentally appropriate practice is required.
• DCFS Director Qualifications strongly preferred but not required.
• First Aid/CPR/AED Certification within six months of hire
• Food Handler Certificate within 30 days of hire
• DCFS Lead and Assistant Qualifications and Certificates Top of Form
• Complete all DCFS required paperwork within 60 days of hire.
• All full-time employees must pass a criminal background check, drug test, and physical exam, which the
  Glencoe Park District will cover.
  

Required Knowledge:

• Must possess knowledge of DCFS licensing standards.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of children’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive
  development.
• Ability to provide a developmentally appropriate curriculum.
• Ability to adapt classroom activities and programs to meet the individual needs of each child
• Must be able to evaluate and monitor the developmental progress of individual children in the
  classroom.
  
  

Required Skills:

• Ability to plan and supervise a developmentally appropriate classroom environment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates the use of developmentally appropriate discipline methods.
• Exhibits warmth, acceptance, and consistent nurturing in interactions with children.
• Contributes to a harmonious and collaborative workplace through positive relationships with coworkers.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan and lead age-appropriate early childhood learning activities in art, music, literature, science, and 
  math.
• Support and supervise activities that promote healthy emotional, social, intellectual, and physical 
  development.
• Keep the classroom clean, organized, and well-maintained, including all educational materials and 
  equipment.
• Maintain documentation of each child’s growth and development.
• Partner with families to support their child’s development and encourage participation in school 
  programs and events; attend parent groups and school functions when possible.
• Supervise all classroom and outdoor activities to ensure the safety of each child at all times.
• Maintain lesson plans and regularly review learning activities with the Children’s Circle Classroom 
  Coordinator.
• Assist children with self-care routines.
• Help children with clean-up activities throughout the day.
• Administer prescribed medications according to Park District and DCFS guidelines.
• Work additional hours as needed to support program needs.
• Interact with children in a kind, compassionate, and positive manner.
• Engage with children throughout the day by speaking at their eye level and participating during free play 
  and large motor activities when possible.
• Follow all Park District policies and DCFS regulations.
• Write and submit a weekly recap summarizing classroom activities from the previous week. 
  Perform other duties as assigned. 
  

Physical Demands:
The considerations described below are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully 
perform the essential functions of the Lead Teacher position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to 
enable an individual with disabilities to perform these functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• stand or walk for extended periods of time.
• lift a maximum of 50 pounds. 
• frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
  
  

Psychological Demands:
To be successful, an individual must be customer service oriented and able to deal with patrons with various 
needs. Work has the potential to involve dealing with angry customers. 

Work Environment:
Work usually takes place in clean, pleasant, and comfortable office conditions. The noise level is usually 
moderate but occasionally loud.

Hours:
The typical hours for this position are 8:15 AM-5:15 PM. Hours may fluctuate on program’s needs. The program 
operation hours are Monday-Friday 7 AM- 6 PM. 

Due to the nature of park district programming, evening, weekend, and some holiday hours are to be expected, 
and the work week may likely exceed 40 hours. 

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the ELC Lead Teacher 
and are not intended to be a list of all responsibilities, duties, and requirements.

Pay Scale:

This is a Full-Time, non-exempt position. The intended starting pay for this position is $22 per hour, with a full pay scale ranging from $22 per hour to $33 per hour.

Final compensation will be determined in good faith based on an evaluation of the candidate's qualifications, experience, and the recommendation of the Early Childhood Director or the Deputy Director/Director of Recreation and Facilities.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Life Insurance (basic & voluntary additional coverage)
• IMRF Defined Benefit Pension
• Short- and Long-Term Disability (IMRF)
• 457 Defined Contribution Plans
• Medical and Childcare Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time Off (sick, vacation, and personal time)
• Paid Family Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Park District Membership, Program and Rental Discounts

*To review the full job description, please contact the hiring manager.

Glencoe Park District is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.