Lead Teacher of the WIU Infant and Preschool Center

Category: Administrative, Professional & Staff Positions

Department: SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

Locations: Macomb, IL

APPOINTMENT: August 2026

RESPONSIBILITIES: The Infant and Preschool Early Childhood Lead Teacher will create a safe, engaging, and nurturing learning environment to deliver high-quality, play-based, instruction to infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children at the WIU Infant and Preschool Center in Macomb. This position involves leading and teaching daily activities, fostering language development, and helping children develop essential physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and self-care skills. Lead Teachers will collaborate with families and staff. The Infant and Preschool Early Childhood Lead Teacher must meet the requirements set by Head Start, the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (DEC), DEC Recommended Practices, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. They will participate in professional development opportunities aimed at supporting professionals, students, and families in the Macomb area, with the goal of improving educational opportunities for children ages birth to five. This position will also include providing classroom instruction and assessment for children from birth to five as appropriate within the WIU Infant and Preschool Center in Macomb. Additionally, the Lead Teacher will assist with community outreach as needed, under the direction of the WIU Infant and Preschool Center Director. Lead Teachers will model effective teaching strategies, lesson planning, classroom management, student assessment, and provide technical support to college students.

RANK & SALARY: 9.5 month appointment; $29,950 - $33,280 per year, commensurate with experience.

Western Illinois University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS). These benefits include: Health Insurance plans, (HMO's, OAP's, QCHP, and CDHP), Dental Insurance, Vision Plan, Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Supplemental Long-Term Disability (LTD), Flex Spending Accounts (HAS, MCAP, and DCAP), 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plans and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plans.

Eligible employees are required to participate in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS). SURS is the retirement administrator for employees in public higher education in the State of Illinois.

Other benefits available to eligible employees include: paid time-off, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Waiver programs, and discounts to the local YMCA.

For a full list of benefits as a WIU employee, please visit our Benefits Homepage: https://www.wiu.edu/human_resources/benefits/.

For questions on benefits, or eligibility, contact our benefits team at mailto:HR-Benefits@wiu.edu or by calling 309-298-1971.

Job Requirements:
Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field
• Experience working in a licensed early learning center;
• Strong understanding of child development and early childhood education;
• Ability to plan and implement developmentally appropriate practices for preschool-aged children;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with children, families, staff, and university students;
• Technology skills necessary to complete assessments, documentation, and reports;
• Current registration in Gateways to Opportunity and ability to maintain required credentials and professional development;
• Current First Aid/CPR/Mandated Reporter Training certification (or willingness to obtain prior to employment)
• Ability to meet all Illinois DCFS licensing requirements
• Ability to actively participate in classroom activities with young children, including lifting, bending, standing, and supporting children throughout the day.

Preferred Qualifications

• Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) in Early Childhood Education and/or Illinois Early Childhood Credential Level 5
• Experience working in inclusive early childhood settings;
• Experience supporting children with disabilities and implementing IEP goals;
• Knowledge of social-emotional learning and positive behavior supports;
• Experience mentoring or supporting teacher candidates and practicum students;
• Experience with family engagement and community outreach initiatives;
• Experience with assessment and documentation systems used in early childhood

For a degree to be considered, it must be conferred from a regionally accredited degree-granting institution of higher education (or equivalent from an international accrediting body). Unless otherwise stated, the degree must be conferred at the time of appointment.

Additional Information:
THE UNIVERSITY:

http://wiu.edu/about

Since 1899, Western Illinois University has provided outstanding educational opportunities to individuals in west central Illinois and well beyond our region and state. WIU's traditional residential campus in Macomb, Illinois, is the educational, cultural and athletic center of the region, while the WIU-Quad Cities non-residential branch campus in Moline, Illinois, is the only public university in the immediate Quad Cities region.

WIU-Macomb, IL: Western's traditional, residential main campus offers a comprehensive slate of undergraduate and graduate programs, including a doctorate in education, and post-baccalaureate certificates. A diverse community in west central Illinois, Macomb features a unique blend of agriculture, industry, service, retail, education, and culture. Macomb serves as the county seat, with connections across the state with Amtrak providing twice-daily service from Macomb to Chicago (and point in between). Macomb is located approximately 75 miles from the Quad Cities International Airport (Moline, IL) and 70 miles from the Greater Peoria Regional Airport (Peoria, IL).

WIU-Quad Cities: Located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Moline, Illinois, the WIU-Quad Cities campus is the only public four-year regional university that serves the Quad Cities region. Designed as a metropolitan commuter campus, WIU-Quad Cities offers select undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. Moline is located just 80 miles north of the Macomb campus and is centered within a diverse, bi-state community of 383,000 that offers a broad range of cultural, social, and entertainment amenities and experiences, as well as varied businesses and industries.

http://wiu.edu/academics

More than 61 undergraduate degree programs, 41 graduate programs, two doctoral programs and 16 post-baccaulaureate certificate programs prepare students for a successful career after graduation.

Student Resources

More than 200 student organizations at Western provide social, academic, recreation, athletics, service, academic, and many other opportunities for students to grow and learn, develop leadership skills, and much more.

Numerous concerts, lectures, films, dance performances, cultural events and more are presented and performed each year, along with numerous major theatrical and dance productions and studio shows, and a variety of service-oriented projects and activities.

http://wiu.edu/athletics

The University's athletics program, based on the Macomb campus, sponsors 17 NCAA Division I intercollegiate men's and women's varsity sports. All varsity sports compete at the Division I level through The Ohio Valley Conference.

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/7182305

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