FY 25-26 Child-Parent Center Program Lead Teacher
Job Number: 250001SX
Posting Date: Jul 1, 2025, 10:58:18 AM
Primary Location: South Side-6020 S Langley Avenue (John Fiske School)

JOB DESCRIPTION -

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is a district on the rise, serving over 320,000 students in 500+ schools and employing over 44,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.
The Office of Early Childhood Education (OECE) provides support, strategic alignment, and partnership development to schools within CPS’s 13 elementary school networks while also driving critical support that helps to boost student learning for our youngest learners. OECE provides school administrators and teachers with the professional learning and resources needed to engage students in rich and rewarding early grades learning experiences.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Child-Parent Center Program Lead Teacher leads the programmatic and operational work of the school’s Child-Parent Center to ensure children and families have high quality early childhood experiences within an effective implementation of the Child-Parent Center Model. The Child-Parent Center Program Lead Teacher provides direct support to both educators and families. In support of educators, the Child-Parent Center Program Lead Teacher provides instructional leadership of classrooms, learning and coaching cycles, and observational feedback to educators related to high quality curriculum, effective instruction, assessment and data analysis, classroom culture and environment, community building, operational support, and best practices for supporting all learners. In support of families, the Child-Parent Center Program Lead Teacher fosters school-family partnerships through ongoing communication, family workshops and events, and transitions support into and out of Pre-K. This role works under the discretion of the school principal and the Office of Early Childhood Education, and is expected to collaborate with school-based and OECE-based staff in support of district, department, and school strategic goals and initiatives. This is a 43.6 week position.

EDUCATION REQUIRED:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university Valid teaching certificate/Professional Educator’s License (PEL) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) with Early Childhood endorsement is required.

• Master’s degree preferred

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Minimum of five (5) years of early childhood teaching experience
• Experience coaching or leading adult learners
• Experience with CPS and CPC programs is highly preferred
• Family engagement experience preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to build positive and responsive professional relationships with teachers and families
• Knowledge of adult learning theory and effective methods for training, coaching, or supporting adults
• Strong understanding of developmentally appropriate early childhood practice in school settings
• Capable of working independently as well as functioning effectively and collaboratively and maintaining high levels of productivity
• Ability to analyze and use data to monitor, assess, and improve program quality, and complete reports, projects, and other tasks in a professional and timely manner
• Ability to use a range of technology and tools, including computer proficiency with programs such as Microsoft Office and Google Workspace

THE CHILD-PARENT CENTER PROGRAM LEAD TEACHER WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE FOLLOWING RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Guide the implementation of high quality early childhood curriculum through review of teacher lesson plans, assessment documentation, schedules, room arrangements, and additional supports
• Provide instructional coaching for preschool teaching teams and continuous improvement cycles focused on instructional quality using the OECE designated observation tool
• Support alignment of curriculum, assessment, instruction, student support, and family engagement practices from preschool through second grade in collaboration with school leaders and the school’s instructional leadership team.
• Strategically analyze and leverage diverse data sources to drive improvements in student learning outcomes and foster stronger parent engagement
• Designs preschool parent programming (workshops, trainings, and parent field trips) that aligns to classroom instruction and family needs assessment
• Actively recruit and engage preschool parents and family members, ensuring they understand and meet the expectation of participating in school activities
• Lead recruitment and onboarding efforts for preschool student enrollment and family participation in CPC activities, including transitions into Kindergarten
• Ensure efficient purchasing and resource management practices of CPC funding
• Collaborate with the School Community Representative to guide the implementation of CPC programming
• Actively participating in all professional development sessions assigned by the Office of Early Childhood Education(OECE), including CPC Collaborative Leadership Team meetings
• Maintain accurate records, calendars, and compliance with all CPC reporting requirements
• Perform other duties, as assigned by OECE