Associate Teacher, Great Start Readiness Program (2026-27 school year)
$40,227–$46,862 year
On-siteGrand Rapids, Michigan, United States
Job Summary
Facilitate developmentally appropriate learning activities for all parts of the preschool day and support the lead teacher in developing high-quality weekly lesson plans with fidelity to the Connect4Learning curriculum. Gather child assessment data to plan for individualized instruction, maintain child files, and ensure compliance with all licensing standards while maintaining confidentiality. Attend home visits, conferences, and family events to develop positive partnerships with families and other staff members. Actively participate in professional development and PLCs. Work 172 days per year for 35 hours per week across various sites within Kent County.
Required Qualifications
- An associate's degree (AA) in early childhood education or child development or the equivalent
- A valid classroom CDA credential
- Willingness to obtain CDA or associate's degree in early childhood education or child development within two years
- Certification of CPR and First Aid required by State Licensing
- Knowledge and experience working with preschool, early elementary, and/or early childhood education
- Ability to plan, prepare, and carry out engaging educational activities that promote the social-emotional, academic, and physical development of the whole child
- Ability to establish and maintain a safe and secure learning environment
- Ability to communicate effectively with young children and their families
- Display sensitivity in meeting the needs of a diverse population of children and families
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
- Ability to apply common sense understanding and learned skills while interacting with students and adults
- Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, staff, and the school community
- Demonstrate self-directedness and initiative when given a variety of tasks and responsibilities
- Frequently stand, walk, sit, talk and hear
- Regularly reach with hands and arms
- Regularly sit on the floor with children for extended periods of time
- Regularly get up and down from the floor
- Regularly lift up to 40- 70 pounds
- Occasionally climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision
- The employee needs to be able to tell where a sound is coming from and hear in a noisy environment
- Employee must possess physical ability sufficient to employ physical intervention strategies when necessary, i.e. non-violent crisis intervention techniques
- Current Michigan State Police and FBI criminal records LiveScan check
Desired Qualifications
- Teaching experience with at-risk children
- Experience working with early childhood curriculum
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