To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were written out in this job description.

GRPS MISSION: Our mission is to ensure that all students are educated, self-directed and productive members of society.

Teacher – Preschool/Early Childhood

Department:Early Childhood                 

Bargaining Unit: Grand Rapids Educational Association (GREA)                                                                              

Salary: Determined by the collective bargaining agreement and a comprehensive benefits package

JOB SUMMARY

The Classroom Teacher is responsible for working as an instructional team leader to create world-class learning experiences rich with engaging activities which support all preschooler’s academic and social emotional growth.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Essential functions under the Americans with Disabilities Act may include any of the following duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by employees in this position. Regular on time and in person attendance is an essential function of this job. Other essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Work cooperatively and collaboratively with the building staff to insure that PreK services are totally integrated in the assigned building.
• Work cooperatively and collaboratively with other PreK staff to insure that PreK instructional model is carried out uniformly throughout classrooms.
• Insure that PreK classroom meets or exceeds all licensing and Program Quality Assessment criteria and participate in Great Start to Quality QRIS survey.
• Maintain all records in accordance with Child Licensing and Great Start Readiness Program Implementation Manual.
• Demonstrate leadership skills by partnering with assigned paraprofessional creating an instructional team to achieve classroom curriculum development and delivery while supporting every child’s academic and social emotional growth.
• Participate in collaborative planning with peers, Communities of Practice meetings, and EC MTSS team as needed.
• Be excited to set instructional goals with parents by providing 2 home visits to each child enrolled in the classroom.
• Provide educational opportunities monthly for parents of PreK students to engage in with their child.
• Participate in 16 hours of on-going training yearly to meet childcare licensing regulations.
• Accept and accomplish other duties as assigned from the Early Childhood Dept. GRPS.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

A Lead Teacher will be considered credentialed for the position with minimally any of the following:

• A valid Michigan teaching certificate and an Early Childhood Education (ZA) or Early Childhood-General and Special Education (ZS) endorsement, Birth-K, or PK-3 endorsement; or
• A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or child development with a specialization in preschool teaching. The transcript will document a major, rather than a minor, in child development or early childhood education.
• Valid CPR and First Aid certification or be willing to acquire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual English/Spanish.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrate ability to build relationships with students, parents, staff, and community in a professional, contractual, and courteous manner.
• Experience working with children and teaching them in developmentally appropriate ways aligned with NAEYC and Michigan Early Childhood Standards of High Quality.
• Demonstrate good attendance, punctuality, and excellent communication/ organization skills.
• Demonstrate respect for confidentiality requirements of information.
• Demonstrate ability to work in a diverse school environment.

• Demonstrated understanding of current research as to how children learn and the ability to motivate student to perform at their best.
• Demonstrated ability to work in an economically, culturally, and racially diverse environment.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in the English language, both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to differentiate instruction, by using a variety of styles, and inspire mixed culture and ability classes by creating challenging and engaging learning opportunities for all students.
• Demonstrated ability to participate as a member of the team.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a diverse and demanding workload.

ADA REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, and hear (in a quiet or noisy environment). The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust/focus.

• Obtain a physical that ensures ability to perform duties of PreK teacher (licensing requirement).
• Can work on the floor with students and move quickly should the need arise for safety reasons.

• Accompany children outdoors daily in a variety of seasonal weather.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Work is performed indoors although there will be required outdoor activities. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being, and work output of students.

MENTAL FUNCTIONS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to compare, analyze, communicate both orally and in writing, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile, and negotiate.

Non-Discrimination

The Grand Rapids Public Schools will not discriminate against any person based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, height, weight, color, religion, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran, or military status.

Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations: Assistance with the application process may be requested through the Human Resources Department at (616) 819-2022 or humanresources@grps.org.