Oakland, California
Posted: 11-May-26
Location: LAKE FOREST, Illinois
Type: Full Time
Salary: $55,000 - 85,000
Preferred Education:
LFCDS, located on a 30-acre campus about 30 miles north of Chicago, Illinois, is a co-educational independent day school serving 413 students from age two through eighth grade. The School has a long tradition of producing thoughtful, confident, and successful students. Children are known, loved, and challenged at LFCDS, and a state-of-the-art facility provides a remarkable setting for inspired teaching, academic rigor, and attention to individual needs.
1st STEP Lead Teacher (Early Childhood Program, Ages 2–3)
Lake Forest Country Day School (LFCDS) is seeking a dedicated and experienced 1st STEP Lead Teacher to guide our youngest learners, ages 2–3, in a nurturing, developmentally responsive environment.
Position Overview
The 1st STEP program provides a thoughtful bridge between early physical and emotional development and the emerging cognitive phase of learning for two- and young three-year-old children. Through music, movement, exploration, and purposeful play, children develop social, language, and pre-academic skills in a structured yet joyful setting.
This is a 3-day program position with additional teaching responsibilities to support a full-time schedule from 7:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Program Philosophy
The 1st STEP program emphasizes:
- Transition from parallel to interactive play
- Language development as a tool for communication and self-expression
- Respect for self, others, and the environment
- Development of gross and fine motor skills
- Strong partnerships between school and home
Key Responsibilities
- Lead a classroom serving children ages 2–3, fostering a warm, engaging, and developmentally appropriate environment
- Support children’s growth across social/emotional, cognitive, physical, and language domains
- Design and implement curriculum grounded in play-based, experiential learning
- Promote the development of self-confidence, independence, and respectful interactions
- Model appropriate behavior and guide children using clear expectations, positive reinforcement, and gentle redirection
- Collaborate closely with colleagues to support a cohesive early childhood program
- Communicate regularly with families through both formal conferences and ongoing updates
Compensation and Benefits
This full-time position includes a full complement of benefits, including health, vision, and dental plans; 403b with employer match, and generous tuition remission for dependents. Annual compensation ranges from $55,000 - $85,000 and is based on years of teaching experience and level of education.
Mission Statement: Through inspired teaching and partnership with families, Lake Forest Country Day School nurtures a love of learning and builds a foundation of strong character, preparing students to navigate their path with purpose.
Core Beliefs:
Childhood is championed: We center all we do on what is best for our students, protecting and building upon the magic of these precious years.
Community is our core: Honest and respectful relationships, formed through conversation and collaboration, build trust and a sense of belonging – honoring the dignity of every person.
Curiosity is a gift: Wonder is an animating force that resides in every person and should be modeled and nurtured to stimulate self-discovery, spark innovation, and drive creativity.
We aim high: Raising expectations activates the great potential we see in every person and elicits efforts that result in individual growth and the collective success of our community.
Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, resume, and the names of three professional references (personal statement optional) in PDF format to the attention of Abby Acuna, Head of Early Childhood, at abby.acuna@lfcds.org
Professional and Personal Qualifications:
- DCFS credentialing required for teaching in a 2–3-year-old program (or willingness to obtain)
- Completion of Gateway to Opportunity trainings (or willingness to obtain)
- Demonstrated experience working with toddlers (ages 2–3) preferred
- Strong understanding of early childhood development
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
- Warm, patient, and responsive teaching approach
- Affinity and enthusiasm for working with young children
- Demonstrated creativity, innovation, and the ability to manage classroom behavior
- Excellent communication and organizational skills
- Willingness to learn and improve professionally
- Sound judgment and emotional maturity
- Ability to collaborate and work with a team, willingness to engage in all aspects of the LFCDS community
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Integrity, ethical conduct, and professional discretion with confidential matters
