GSRP Teacher (34 weeks)

Grand Rapids Public Schools•Grand Rapids, MI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Classroom Teacher serves as an instructional team leader, creating engaging learning experiences that support preschoolers’ academic and social-emotional growth. The teacher works collaboratively with building staff and PreK colleagues to integrate PreK services into the assigned building and implement the PreK instructional model consistently across classrooms. The role includes partnering with an assigned paraprofessional, families, and colleagues to support curriculum development and delivery, and ensuring the classroom meets licensing and program quality requirements. The teacher maintains records in accordance with child licensing requirements and the Great Start Readiness Program Implementation Manual, participates in quality assessment and collaborative planning, and provides family engagement opportunities. Regular, punctual, in-person attendance is an essential function. The role also involves working indoors and participating in required outdoor activities with children in seasonal weather, while being directly responsible for scholars’ safety and well-being.

Requirements

Meet the credential requirement through at least one of the following: a valid Michigan teaching certificate with an Early Childhood Education (ZA), Early Childhood-General and Special Education (ZS), Birth-K, or PK-3 endorsement; or a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or child development with a specialization in preschool teaching, with a major rather than a minor documented on the transcript.
Hold valid CPR and First Aid certification or be willing to acquire it.
Build professional, courteous relationships with scholars, parents, staff, and the community.
Have experience working with and teaching children in developmentally appropriate ways aligned with NAEYC and Michigan Early Childhood Standards of High Quality.
Demonstrate good attendance, punctuality, and strong communication and organization skills.
Respect confidentiality requirements.
Ability to work in diverse school environments, including economically, culturally, and racially diverse settings.
Understand current research on how children learn and be able to motivate scholars to perform at their best.
Communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing.
Differentiate instruction using a variety of styles and create challenging, engaging learning opportunities for classes with varied cultures and abilities.
Participate effectively as a team member and manage a diverse, demanding workload.
Obtain a physical examination confirming ability to perform PreK teacher duties, as required for licensing.
Meet the physical demands of the role, including standing, walking, sitting, using hands, reaching, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, talking, and hearing in quiet or noisy environments; occasionally lift or move up to 40 pounds; and work on the floor with scholars and move quickly when needed for safety.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish.

Responsibilities

Work collaboratively with building staff to integrate PreK services into the assigned building.
Work collaboratively with other PreK staff to implement the PreK instructional model uniformly across classrooms.
Ensure the PreK classroom meets or exceeds licensing and Program Quality Assessment criteria and participate in the Great Start to Quality QRIS survey.
Maintain records in accordance with Child Licensing and the Great Start Readiness Program Implementation Manual.
Partner with the assigned paraprofessional as an instructional team leader to develop and deliver curriculum supporting each child’s academic and social-emotional growth.
Participate in collaborative planning with peers, Communities of Practice meetings, and EC MTSS team meetings as needed.
Set instructional goals with parents and provide two home visits to each child enrolled in the classroom.
Provide monthly educational opportunities for parents to engage in with their child.
Complete 16 hours of ongoing training each year to meet childcare licensing regulations.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Early Childhood Department.
Maintain regular, punctual, in-person attendance.
Accompany children outdoors daily in a variety of seasonal weather and ensure scholars’ safety and well-being.