Director​/Lead Preschool Teacher

St. Mary Catholic School – Big Rapids, MI Diocese of Grand Rapids Job Type: Full Time

Start Date:

August 11, 2026

Schedule:

Monday – Friday 7:40 – 3:15

For over 147 years, St. Mary Catholic School’s mission has been to educate students to know, love, and serve God through Catholic spiritual development, academic pursuits, and service to the community. Our school is located at 927 Marion Ave., Big Rapids, MI, and serves Preschool through 8th grade students. St. Mary School has a long history of academic excellence and a strong Catholic identity in our community.

St. Mary Catholic School seeks an experienced, dynamic, and student-centered Lead
Preschool Teacher for children 3-4 years of age. The ideal candidate will have a deep love of children, the proven ability to create a warm and nurturing educational environment, and a strong desire to collaborate with others. The preferred applicant will be passionate about sharing their Catholic faith with children and will know how to skillfully create joy-filled, play-based learning opportunities.

• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and learning experiences to ensure optimum outcomes for young children
• Create and maintain a nurturing, faith-filled, and safe environment
• Coordinate, collaborate, and communicate effectively with all parents/guardians, administration, and colleagues
• Submit weekly lesson plans, newsletters, blogs, and other communications to the Preschool Director for approval
• Post lesson plans in the classroom and send newsletters home with children weekly
• Participate in PLC preschool meetings to coordinate instruction and long range planning
• Carry out adequate observation and record keeping to monitor progress and communicate progress through Fall and Spring parent conferences and quarterly report cards
• Participate in faculty meetings, professional development, and school events
• Foster a commitment to embodying the St. Mary Catholic School’s mission to know, love, and serve God
• Integrate the Catholic faith and values into the curriculum in meaningful ways
• Attend all school Masses, faculty retreats and prayer services
• Plan, organize, and lead field trips
• Supervise recess and lunchtime
• Ensure compliance with Michigan Child Care Licensing rules (LARA)
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff, including teachers, aides, and support personnel
• Develop and implement curriculum aligned with early childhood standards and Catholic identity
• Manage enrollment, admissions, and family communication
• Maintain student records, licensing documentation, and compliance files
• Coordinate professional development for early childhood staff
• Collaborate with school leadership on budgeting, staffing, and program growth
• Build strong relationships with families through communication, conferences, and community events

• Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education OR Associates Degree with early childhood credentials (CDA)
• Previous experience working in a preschool or early childhood setting
• Strong understanding of child development principles
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and organizational skills
• Commitment to the mission of Catholic Education and willingness to uphold the teachings of the Catholic Church
• Willingness to Maintain First Aid, CPR, and Blood Borne Pathogen training
• Complete a Tuberculosis test and physical and provide a physician’s documentation of both
• Willingness to attend 16 hours of child care professional development annually
• Willingness to pursue Diocese of Grand Rapids Catechetical Certification
• Willingness to go attend Virtus Training
• Willingness to undergo fingerprinting for a background and criminal history check
• Have an awareness of the unique needs of young children and have appropriate expectations of their abilities
• Be able to kneel, bend, squat, lift, push, pull, and carry children up to 70lbs
• Experience in a leadership or administrative role in early childhood education
• Knowledge of Catholic education and willingness to support faith‑based programming
• Must meet Michigan’s Director Qualifications for child care centers

Interested candidates should submit the following:

• Professional resume
• Contact information for three professional references

Please send application materials to the St. Mary Catholic School Principal, Colliene Willison, at [email protected].