On-Call Substitute Teacher

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Birth to Five On-Call Substitute Teacher

Chicago, IL, US

30+ days ago Requisition ID: 1232

Salary Range: $17.90 To $24.20 Hourly

JOB TITLE: Birth to Five On-Call Substitute Teacher

STATUS: Part-Time

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

CUSTOMARY HOURS/WEEK: M-F, On-call as needed

DIVISION: Program and Services

DEPARTMENT: Early Childhood Education Services

DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Site Program Director

DIRECTLY SUPERVISES: N/A

General Summary: The On-Call Substitute Teacher supports classroom operations in early childhood education settings serving children ages 0–5 years. This role helps maintain consistency of care and learning in the absence of regular staff. Working as part of a trauma-informed team, the substitute ensures a nurturing, emotionally safe, and developmentally appropriate environment that honors each child's individual experiences and supports their resilience, growth, and learning. This position aligns with applicable licensing standards, early learning frameworks, performance standards, and program and organizational policies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide responsive, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate care to children, using a trauma-informed lens that recognizes and supports children’s emotional and behavioral needs.
• Assist or lead classroom activities and routines in accordance with lesson plans and schedules created by permanent staff.
• Establish predictable routines and consistent relationships to support a sense of safety and security for children with diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
• Ensure a clean, safe, and supportive learning environment that fosters physical, emotional, and psychological well‑being.
• Promote social-emotional learning and self‑regulation through modeling, encouragement, and intentional interactions.
• Maintain daily routines such as mealtimes, diapering/toileting, rest time, and transitions in a calm and supportive manner.
• Recognize signs of stress or trauma in children and respond with compassion, sensitivity, and appropriate de‑escalation strategies.
• Support a culturally responsive and inclusive classroom where children and families feel valued and respected.
• Maintain confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries in all child and family interactions.
• Accurately document incidents, observations, or concerns as requested, with awareness of mandated reporting requirements.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with classroom teams and site leadership, modeling a respectful, team-based approach.

Education Qualifications and Experiences:

• Birth to Three Program: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or related field with a minimum of 24 hours of Early Childhood Education classes from an accredited university required; Illinois Gateways Infant Toddler Level 5 Credential or obtain upon hire or within 12 months depending on program requirements.
• Three to Five Program: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or related from an accredited university required; Illinois Gateways Early Childhood Education Level 5 Credential; and/or Professional Educators License (PEL) required.
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills to establish and maintain rapport and professional relationships with co‑workers, team members, and families enrolled in services. Ability to relate to a diverse population.
• Understanding of trauma‑informed principles including safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.
• Patience, empathy, and ability to build attuned relationships with young children.
• Cultural humility and commitment to equity and inclusion.
• Flexibility and adaptability to meet the needs of various classroom settings.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and maintain a supportive tone in stressful situations.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
• Physical ability to engage with children in various indoor and outdoor activities, including standing, bending, walking, and participating in physical play.
• May involve exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids, with proper protective equipment provided.

Work Environment

• Internal office space.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Ability to work in a dynamic and sometimes fast‑paced environment.

Screenings

• The applicant must submit to a criminal background check and adult abuse and neglect screening and maintain a cleared status throughout employment.
• The applicant must submit MMR, Tdap and pass a TB and immunization health screen upon hire and update TB/physicals as required by the licensing st…