Preschool Teacher
Chicago
Preschool Teacher
Full Time • Chicago
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Benefits/Perks
- Competitive Compensations
- Career Advancement Opportunities
- Great Work Environment
Job Summary:
The German International School Chicago (GISC) is seeking a qualified Early Childhood Educator to join one of our preschool groups. GISC is a nonprofit, bilingual private school offering a rich international learning environment. Our preschool program consists of two to three groups, each with a maximum of 16 children from age 3-5 years old and two educators per group. We are an immersion-based program with German as the primary language of instruction.
Responsibilities
- Plan and implement developmentally appropriate, play-based learning experiences that support children’s cognitive, social-emotional, and language development within a German immersion environment
- Create a safe, nurturing, and engaging classroom environment, using positive guidance strategies to support children’s behavior and independence
- Observe, document, and assess children’s development, and communicate regularly with families about children’s progress and learning experiences
- Participating in team meetings and professional workshops
- Conducting parent-teacher conferences
- Contributing to school-wide events and activities
- Collaborating with colleagues on curriculum planning and development
Qualifications & Requirements (Illinois – DCFS Aligned)
- Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a closely related field preferred
Alternatively: A German state-recognized qualification (staatliche Anerkennung als Erzieher/in) or a degree in Childhood Education (Kindheitspädagogik, B.A.), - Experience working with children ages 3–6 in a licensed preschool, daycare, or early childhood setting
- Fluency in German is required (near-native proficiency expected), as German is the primary language of instruction in the classroom; native German speakers are strongly preferred
- Strong German and English communication skills required for effective collaboration with families and colleagues
- Strong understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate practice (DAP), including play-based and inquiry-based learning
- Experience supporting early language development and emergent literacy; experience in bilingual or immersion settings is a plus
- Ability to plan and implement age-appropriate curriculum aligned with children’s developmental needs, including differentiated instruction
- Demonstrated skills in classroom management, with a focus on positive guidance and social-emotional development
- Experience working collaboratively in a teaching team and maintaining professional, responsive communication with families
- Strong organizational skills, reliability, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team
- High level of cultural competence and ability to work effectively in an international school environment
Compensation: $52,500.00 - $60,600.00 per year
About Us
Our Mission
The German International School Chicago (GISC) is an IB World School that prepares students to become well-rounded, creative, and responsible global citizens. We provide students with a rigorous German-English bilingual education in a supportive and individualized learning environment. GISC graduates will be prepared academically and socially to succeed in an increasingly global world.
Core Values
At the German International School Chicago, our motto is "Give Your Child the World," and we believe our unique education will provide your child with the tools to thrive in any environment around the world. Our focus as a school is represented by four distinct values, each one contributing to the success of our students throughout their lives.
Bilingual Advantage
Students at GISC are both linguistically fluent and culturally fluent. As a bilingual, international school, we encourage our young learners to engage meaningfully with a wide variety of cultures across Europe and throughout the world.
International Education
GISC's unique education is rooted in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. We foster a strong sense of agency in our students and provide them with a deep understanding of the world around them. Our students have the skills to engage successfully with a wide variety of academic and social environments in the US, in German-speaking countries, and beyond.
Global Opportunity
At GISC, we believe that global citizenship extends beyond knowledge of other lands and peoples. Our faculty helps our student body to use their intercultural competence as the foundation for increased compassion. GISC students will leave our school with the skills to succeed and thrive anywhere in the world.
School Community
Both schoolwide and in each grade level, GISC fosters a strong sense of community. We believe that a supportive, nurturing community is the key to a learning environment in which each student knows they belong and matter.
Working at the German International School Chicago
Are you interested in working at a one-of-a-kind, dynamic bilingual IB World School in Chicago's beautiful Ravenswood neighborhood?
Our staff is just as international as our student body, and we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and collaborative community. Every employee at GISC is encouraged to grow through professional development and peer learning opportunities. If you are a dedicated, enthusiastic, and talented professional, we invite you to apply today!
Our staff is just as international as our student body, and we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and collaborative community. Every employee at GISC is encouraged to grow through professional development and peer learning opportunities. If you are a dedicated, enthusiastic, and talented professional, we invite you to apply today!
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