GSRP Lead Teacher

About Our Academy

Wonder what it would be like to go snowshoeing through a maple forest? Or what it may be like to grow your own food in a greenhouse? Students at West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science (WMAES) don't wonder what they know! Come be a part of our 62-acres of an outdoor classroom to expand your child's love of learning. Working gardens, nature trails, forests, wetlands and prairies are all available for students to explore.

WMAES students transition from desks to dirt, creating an environment for all students to learn. WMAES knows that teachers are the heart of the school and are surrounded by a support system that is committed to the success of every child.

Qualities of a Successful Candidate:

• A comfortability in an outdoor setting and a knack for creativity and innovation, incorporating hands-on activities, experiential learning, and interactive teaching methods to make environmental/outdoor learning engaging and impactful.
• An unwavering belief that all children regardless of their background can learn and exceed at high levels.
• A strong desire to achieve outstanding results in the pursuit of excellence for students.
• Strong interpersonal skills, fostering positive relationships with children, parents and other staff members. They should be able to work collaboratively, promoting a harmonious learning environment.

About the role

To provide exceptional educational leadership and create a nurturing and inspiring learning environment for students. The GSRP lead teacher is committed to developing and implementing engaging and developmentally-appropriate lesson plans that promote early literacy, numeracy, and social skills. Through positive reinforcement and individualized attention, they foster a love for learning and encourage each child's unique abilities and interests. They collaborate with assistant teachers and support staff to ensure a cohesive and enriching experience for every child.

Additionally, they actively engage with parents and caregivers, establishing strong partnerships to promote children's development.

What you'll do

Curriculum & Instruction:

• Accepts responsibility for the achievement of students.
• Guides the learning process toward achievement of curriculum goals and implementation of personal learning plans of students.
• Develops lesson plans collaboratively with the GSRP Associate Teacher/Instructional Aide and implements the team teaching model as stated in the GSRP grant manual.
• Demonstrates understanding and implementation of the Preschool Program Quality Assessment ("PQA") and the teaching practices described therein.
• Demonstrates understanding and implementation of MDE's Early Childhood Standards of Quality for Prekindergarten.
• Demonstrates understanding and implementation of the BCHS Child Care Licensing Rules.
• Demonstrates effective planning and organization for instruction.
• Selects appropriate materials for implementation of the curriculum and adapts materials and methods to the learning styles and abilities of students.
• Follows the Academy-approved GSRP curriculum and the GSRP grant policies and procedures as the instructional model.
• Uses creative instructional methods and procedures and adapts effectively to unusual situations.
• Motivates students to achieve at their highest level of ability and potential through classroom activities, assignments, relationships, participation and feedback; holds high expectations and demonstrates sensitivity to different learning styles.
• Uses resources effectively to support learning activities in the classroom, the Academy and the community.
• Demonstrates exceptional classroom techniques, which include the art of questioning, clarity of assignments, communicating, an atmosphere of mutual respect, independent thought and expression and student and teacher experiences in large and small groups.
• Effectively implements and uses the Academy approved screening assessment tool and ongoing developmental assessment and is able to explain and interpret the information for parents.
• Effectively uses home visits to introduce the program and staff to the parent, develop collaboration for the child's learning, and gather, or report, assessment…