At OHU, our Hope Members are the heartbeat of our organization. Together, we have built a culture of support, trust, and care.
Lead Teacher
“We are such an inclusive organization, we don’t turn anybody away. Everybody is welcome. Working here, I feel like family. I’ve never felt so appreciated working in a place before. They really take care of you here, listen to your concerns and act on them. It’s just amazing! And it’s really easy to make it amazing when the people you work with are amazing.”
Shari Conley, Joliet Early Learning Center (Joliet, IL)

Culture of Care
The ELCD program at OHU is known for its closely-knit teams who often work together for years at a time! The team members join their shared love of educating young children towards creating a warm and positive working environment. New employees who come from a corporate environment quickly fall in love with the atmosphere at an OHU child development center!

What you would be doing:

• Your first priority in this role would be providing a nurturing setting for our preschoolers (and their parents!)
• Providing an educational setting that encourages excitement for learning and preparation for first grade
• Using the Creative Curriculum to provide developmentally appropriate activities responsive to the needs and interests of the children
• Providing supportive, reflective and positive leadership and guidance to staff
• Conducting performance reviews that are well-written, objective and completed in a timely manner
• Developing goals for supervisors that are measurable and attainable
• Serves as a role model of professionalism
• Actively participating in center leadership team
• Completing paperwork which is well-written, thorough, and completed in a timely manner
• Partnering with co-teachers on best practices and creating a warm and welcoming environment
• Encouraging children to engage, discover, and problem-solve
• Collaborating in an ongoing fashion with parents and families

What you can expect from us:

• OHU program leaders work to provide warm and supportive leadership that flexes around your life as much as possible when needed
• A flexible full-time schedule
• Staff Celebrations (including weekly lunches!)
• Ongoing professional development tailored to yours and your classroom needs
• If you desire to advance in your career over time, program leaders will work with you to do so (OHU has 5 child development centers in the Chicagoland area!)
• You will be part of a center that grows programs in keeping with the community needs
• You will also be part of a well-respected company (OHU is 125 years old!) that has a seat in community partnerships

In addition, you will receive the following benefits:

• 3 time off banks! Up to 4 weeks paid vacation days; up to 6 paid personal days and up to 5 paid sick days annually
• Tuition assistance up to $2500 per year
• Medical, dental, vision, 403b retirement, flexible spending accounts, short-term disability options
• Agency paid life up to $50K based on salary
• Voluntary Supplemental Life for Employee, Spouse and Child(ren)
• Voluntary Legal Plans
• Agency paid long term disability after 1 year of employment

What we will expect of you:
Education 

• Bachelor's degree in ECE or related field required
• One of the following required:
  • Type 04 certification
  • Level 5 Gateway credential 
  • Professional Educator's License (PEL)

Experience

• One year of professional experience working with children in a childcare or school setting preferred

One Hope United does not discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. One Hope United is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace. OHU participates in eVerify.