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.
