Readiness Program – Lead Teacher

Deadline: September 23, 2026
District/Organization: Kentwood Public Schools
Position/Type: Teacher, full time

Lead Teacher – Great Start Readiness Program

Category:
Great Start Readiness Program – Lead Teacher
Date Posted: 9/16/2026

Location:

Early Childhood Explorer Campus
Date Closing:
09/23/2026

Position: Lead Teacher – Great Start Readiness Program

Schedule: 172 days/34 weeks per year; 35 hours per week

Position

Purpose:

Under the direction of the Director of Early Childhood, the Lead Teacher is responsible for the strategic planning, implementation, and monitoring of classroom activities designed to prepare students for Young 5’s or Kindergarten.

Essential Job Functions:

• Develop and administer high-quality weekly lesson plans with fidelity to the preschool curriculum.
• Lead/facilitate developmentally appropriate learning activities for all parts of the preschool day.
• Promote a classroom environment that is safe and conducive to individualized and small group instruction, and student learning.
• Gather child assessment data to plan for individualized instruction.
• Attend home visits, conferences, family events/ advisory meetings, and open houses.
• Actively participate in all planned professional development.
• Assist with loading and unloading of children from the buses.
• Maintain child files.
• Ensure compliance with all licensing standards.
• Demonstrate respect for confidentiality requirements of information.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with families, other staff, and community partners.
• Able to work as part of a collaborative team.
• Provides day-to-day direction, guidance, and feedback to assigned support staff regarding instructional practices, student supervision, data collection, and behavioral supports.
• Models effective instructional and behavioral strategies and assists support staff in carrying out assigned duties aligned to student needs and classroom expectations.
• Responsible for daily operation of the program.
• Regular, reliable and punctual attendance

Additional Duties: Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Director, Dean and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

Note:

This description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities and is not meant to be all-inclusive.

Equipment: Uses standard office equipment such as personal computers, printer, copy and fax machines, and telephone.

Travel Requirements: Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• 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.
• 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.
• Demonstrate self-directedness and initiative when given a variety of tasks and responsibilities.
• Ability to work in an economically, culturally and racially diverse environment.

Qualifications:

• Must have one of the following educational requirements:
  • A valid Michigan teaching certificate with Early Childhood Education (ZA) OR Early Childhood-General and Special Education (ZS) endorsement;
  • OR A bachelor’s degree with a major in Early Childhood Education OR child development with a specialization in preschool teaching.
• Experience in Early Childhood classrooms, preferred.
• Certification of CPR and First Aid required by State Licensing, required OR willingness to obtain within 6…