Young Fives Teacher - Monteith

Job Summary

The selected candidate will be responsible for providing a developmentally appropriate, engaging, and nurturing educational environment for students enrolled in the Young Fives program. The Young Fives Teacher will support students' academic, social-emotional, physical, and developmental growth while building the foundational skills and confidence necessary for a successful transition to kindergarten.

The teacher will plan and implement developmentally responsive learning experiences that balance explicit instruction with purposeful play, exploration, movement, collaboration, and hands-on learning. Instruction will be aligned with the Grosse Pointe Public School System curriculum, policies, goals, and objectives while recognizing and responding to the unique developmental needs of young learners.

• Valid Michigan Elementary Teaching Certificate.
• Appropriate Michigan elementary endorsement(s) required.
• ZA or ZS Early Childhood endorsement preferred.
• Experience teaching preschool, Young Fives, kindergarten, or other early elementary grades preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of early childhood development and developmentally appropriate instructional practices.
• Significant experience and/or coursework in related fields preferred.

• Implements the established Grosse Pointe curriculum while adapting instruction and learning experiences to meet the developmental needs of Young Fives students.
• Creates a warm, welcoming, structured, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment that promotes student belonging, independence, curiosity, and confidence.
• Plans and facilitates learning experiences that incorporate purposeful play, exploration, movement, hands-on learning, and explicit instruction.
• Develops foundational early literacy and numeracy skills through engaging, age-appropriate learning experiences.
• Supports the development of students' social-emotional skills, including self-regulation, communication, problem-solving, cooperation, independence, and positive peer relationships.
• Provides opportunities to develop fine and gross motor skills and other school-readiness skills necessary for success in kindergarten and beyond.
• Establishes consistent classroom routines and expectations that help young learners successfully navigate the school environment and develop increasing independence.
• Uses developmentally appropriate assessment practices, observation, and student work to monitor individual growth and inform instruction.
• Identifies, selects, and modifies instructional resources and strategies to meet the needs of students with varying developmental levels, backgrounds, learning styles, and individual needs.
• Includes culturally diverse themes, perspectives, materials, and experiences within classroom instruction and the learning environment.
• Provides differentiated learning opportunities and appropriate levels of support and challenge based on each student's developmental readiness.
• Collaborates with special education staff, interventionists, support staff, administrators, and other professionals to address individual student needs within an MTSS framework.
• Communicates regularly and effectively with families regarding student development, progress, classroom experiences, and strategies to support learning and school readiness at home.
• Partners with families to support a positive transition into the school environment and ultimately into kindergarten.
• Collaborates with kindergarten teachers and other elementary colleagues to promote curricular and developmental alignment and a successful transition from Young Fives to kindergarten.
• Maintains accurate and efficient student records and documentation.
• Creates a positive learning environment in which students are actively engaged and encouraged to explore, ask questions, take appropriate risks, and develop a love of learning.
• Models professional and ethical standards when interacting with students, families, colleagues, and the community.
• Participates in professional learning and collaborative opportunities related to early childhood education, curriculum, instruction, assessment, and student development.
• Meets professional obligations through effective work habits, including meeting deadlines, honoring schedules, communicating proactively, and collaborating with colleagues.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

• Prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout school and the classroom.
• Must be able to lift up to 45 pounds at a time.
• Must be able to assist students who have physical difficulties.
• Occasional bending, kneeling, sitting, standing, and climbing stairs.
• Prolonged periods of sitting and working on the computer are necessary to complete paperwork.

Note:

This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions, or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of…