25-26 SY - Preschool Techer - St Frances of Rome School - Cicero - VIC. III - #263646

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The Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic schools serve more than 40,000 students in 150+ elementary and high schools in Cook and Lake counties. It is one of the largest private school systems in the United States. Its schools have received 96 Blue Ribbon awards from the U.S. Department of Education over the past 10 years.

The Teacher is a qualified professional educator who meets the requirements to teach in a Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Chicago. As a teacher in a Catholic school, the Teacher acts as a representative of the Catholic Church to the students, both as a role model and through the various tasks, actions and other responsibilities assigned to the Teacher. The Teacher is a ministerial employee because of the Teacher’s role as both a representative of the Church and as a communicator of the Church’s message to the children entrusted to the Church’s care.

The Teacher is hired by and is directly accountable to the principal. The Teacher agrees to abide by the educational policies and procedures of the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Office of Catholic Schools as well as comply with the educational policies and procedures of the local school. The Teacher cooperates with the principal and staff in providing an educational environment that promotes the ministry of Catholic education. The Teacher is a representative of the Archbishop of Chicago, effectuating his ministry of Catholic education and the religious teachings and doctrine of the Catholic Church at the level of the local school.

We have a curriculum for literacy and math development for the 3- and 4-year-olds, but we take a Reggio Emilia approach to other subject matter. Much of the work and projects these children do is tied to the child’s interest as much as possible. Reggio Emilia encourages rewarding curiosity with child investigation and project work. The projects may take anywhere from a few days to three weeks. They keep working until the interest is exhausted. The children are encouraged to ask a lot of questions – a very logic stage kind of activity. We turn this around by having the teacher ask a lot of questions as well. Why did you use green? Why is this person over there in your drawing? Why did you stack the blocks like that? The point is to raise the consciousness of the children. Have the children reflect on what they are doing or thinking and encourage them to articulate with language. This dialogue can happen between child and teacher due to the trust which has developed between them. The relationship is close enough that the child is not afraid to say what he or she thinks. These kids are not experiencing “did I give you the right answer”. This is laying the foundation for future logic stage development.

General Responsibilities

As a professional educator in a Catholic school, the Teacher will:

• Provide learning experiences in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education, fine arts, foreign language, social/emotional development, and other subject matter suited to the needs of children.
• Develop and use instructional materials suitable for verbal or visual instruction of children with a wide range of mental, physical, and emotional maturities.
• Develop in each child an awareness of his/her worth as an individual and his/her role in the family and community.
• Provide ongoing observation and authentic assessment of children and maintain documentation of each child’s progress and growth.
• Provide individual and small-group instruction designed to meet individual needs of children in communication skills, health habits, physical skills, and development of satisfactory self-concepts. Work with other support personnel/agencies to promote this goal.
• Enrich educational program through study trips to community resources such as museums, parks, and through classroom visits by resource persons from the school and community. Share and interpret these experiences with children and parents.
• Plan and coordinate the work of aides, assistants, parents, and volunteers in the classroom and on field trips in order to obtain the maximum benefit from their efforts.
• Develop activities for parents that promote parent participation and involvement in education activities provided for their children.
• Communicate regularly with parents by means of parent meetings, newsletters, home visits, and individual parent conferences.
• Interpret school program to parents to strengthen parental understanding of the individual children’s needs and the school’s role in the child’s life.
• Provide appropriate climate to establish and reinforce acceptable child behavior, attitudes, and social skills.
• Cooperate with other professional staff members in assessing and helping children solve health, attitude, and learning problems.
• Create an effective environment for learning through functional and attractive displays, interest centers, and exhibits of children’s work.
• Maintain professional competence through in-service education activities provided by the district and through self-selected professional growth activities.
• Select and requisition books, instructional aids, instructional supplies, and food.
• Participate in curriculum and other developmental programs as appropriate.
• Perform other incidental tasks consistent with the goals and objectives of this position.
  
  

Duties for Teacher

• Implement the curriculum that is aligned with the IELDS.
• Develop and implement daily lesson plans that meet the developmental, social, emotional, and intellectual needs of all children in the class.
• Set up and maintain an environment in the classroom that fosters learning, including switching or rotating materials in interest areas on a regular basis.
• In cooperation with other staff, carry out routine duties such as toileting, hand washing, cleanup, and supervision of children at all times, including outdoor play.
• Collect anecdotal notes and portfolio items to assess children’s development using individual records.
• Communicate weekly with parents through a newsletter.
• Host parent meetings throughout the year on various topics. These are in addition to parent conferences.
• Conduct parent teacher conferences twice a year.
• Compile a list of equipment and materials needed for the classroom and, with the approval of the Principal, order the materials.
• Meet with the Principal to help manage the grant.
• Meet with teaching assistant to go over lesson plans and share teaching strategies.
• teach and act in accordance with Catholic doctrinal and moral teachings of the Catholic Church
• act as a role model for the religious formation of students and as a representative of the Archbishop of Chicago and the Catholic Church in the performance of the Church’s ministry
• know, teach and act consistently in accordance with the religious and educational mission, philosophy, objectives and policies and procedures of the Catholic school
• complete Catholic identity formation training and other required professional development from the Archdiocese of Chicago (regardless of grade/subject area or personal faith tradition)
• lead and/or participate in any and all religious instruction, ceremonies, rituals or other religious activities as directed by the principal
• communicate regularly with students, parents/guardians, colleagues and principal
• participate in any and all professional development programs required by the Archdiocese of Chicago and/or the local school/parish
• perform teaching duties as assigned by the principal
• attend required faculty and staff meetings
• cooperate with the principal and staff members in school related meetings, activities and projects
• maintain accurate student attendance and academic records
• maintain a safe, orderly and secure learning and working environment
• participate in the annual performance review
• maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding school personnel, students and general school matters
• positively represent the school/parish at all school/parish events (including extracurricular activities) and in the general public
• the principal assigns specific tasks essential to the function of the position
  
  

Requirements

• Practicing Catholic (preferred, required for religion teachers)
• Compliance with safe environment requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education.
• Valid State Professional Educator Licenses (PEL) with an early Childhood Education (ECE) endorsement. Gateway Level 5 is acceptable.
• complete Catholic identity formation training
  
  

The following documentation is required to be uploaded/submitted with the application for employment to be considered for this teacher opportunity and to determine compensation.

• Transcripts
• Resume
• Teaching Licensure (PEL), if applicable/obtained
• Acceptance in alternative licensure program, if applicable
• Professional references
  
  

The Archdiocese of Chicago offers a comprehensive total rewards package to include competitive compensation and benefit programs. Information about our benefit programs is available here.

This position has an annualized salary range of Lay - $37,000 - $67,000 and Religious - $34,000 - $61,000. An employee’s pay within the salary range will be based on many factors including but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and organizational needs.