Assistant Teacher

Kalsec Inc.; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the food industry is seeking an Assistant Teacher to support the Lead Teacher in managing the Rosemary Program for young children. This role involves ensuring the safety, well-being, and educational growth of children, alongside various childcare tasks and responsibilities within the program. Ideal candidates will have a minimum of 2 years of childcare experience and a respect for diversity and the environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing children in a professional childcare environment.
• Ability to think creatively and problem-solve with patience.
• Appreciation for children and the natural environment.

Responsibilities

• Support Lead Teacher in managing daily operations of the program.
• Ensure quality care for children including physical safety and developmental growth.
• Oversee classroom activities in absence of Lead Teacher.

Skills

Problem-Solving

Patience

Compassion

Respect for Diversity

Education

At least 2 years experience working with children

Familiarity with Michigan State Childcare Licensing requirements

Job description

Job Category: Farmhouse Early Learning Center

Requisition Number: ASSIS001470

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• Posted : May 16, 2025
• Full-Time
• On-site

Locations

Showing 1 location

Kalamazoo, MI 49006, USA

Description

Job Summary: Responsible for supporting Lead Teacher in management of all the daily ins and outs of the Rosemary Program (ages approximately 8 weeks-18 months). Ensuring the quality care of all the children in the program, including their physical safety and basic needs, but also their academic and social-emotional growth and development. Assistant Teacher will absorb Lead responsibilities in Lead Teacher’s absence including managing the staff, problem-solving conflict and staff scheduling, and conducting developmental conferences with parents.

• Attend staff meetings and trainings
• Comply with all Michigan State Licensing Requirements at all times.
• Execute the typical childcare tasks such as diapering, moving furniture, cleaning, laundry, removing garbage, supervising in the play yard, covering breaks, subbing in classrooms, etc.
• Competently execute any tasks assigned by Lead Teacher.
• Maintain awareness of developmental levels of all kids and communicate that information to parents at conferences and throughout the school year as needed.
• Adhere to a very consistent routine (classroom schedule). Incorporate times of day that start on time including: AM Snack, Morning Meeting, Small Group, Whole Group, Lunch, Nap, and plenty of outside time.
• Support Lead in the development of aspects of the program relevant to the age group, ensuring the class as whole is proactively working toward appropriate milestones. Toddler Example: Potty training. Preschool Example: Literacy and Conflict Resolution skills.
• In the absence of the Lead Teacher, oversee every aspect of the day including parts of the day during which she is not present, ensuring that quality programming continues even in her absence. Manage staff absences and schedule changes to ensure the classroom is fully staffed at all times.
• Know each individual kid. Notices when she doesn’t know a kid very well and makes time to get to know that kid. Ensures that the individual needs of individual children are met (behavior, academics, social-emotional).
• Helps plans for new kids. Makes sure they have a warm welcome with introductions, a tour, hanging a nametag on their cubby, learning the routines of the classroom. Keeps a close eye on them to make sure they feel comfortable, proactively problem solve anything that comes up, and carves out time to get to know that child.
• Helps Lead plan for new staff. Makes sure they have a warm welcome with introductions, learning ins and outs of classroom, defining their role. Models the best of the Farmhouse for the new person. Corrects mistakes quickly.
• Proactively problem solves in the classroom. Notices patterns that are problematic, comes up with solutions, and implements the changes with individual behavior, classroom behavior, rules, routines, circle times.
• In the absence of the Lead Teacher, designates responsibilities among classroom support staff and makes sure all tasks are completed thoroughly and timely including the cleanliness and organization of the room, rotation of materials, aesthetic of classroom.
• Seeks support from directors when needed as soon as realize it’s needed.
• Follows classroom management strategies for whole class, including individual behavior plans and Level 1 strategies. Follows through and makes sure support staff follow through.
• Keeps close track of time to ensure each aspect of the day starts and ends on schedule
• Adjusts curriculum to meet the needs of individual kids and group as a whole. Uses small group time and one-on-one time to make sure kids are being challenged right at their level.
• Makes sure that Brightwheel is updated regularly (can delegate to another staff)
• Comes up with systems for managing children’s items so that they aren’t lost
• Follows the Farmhouse Way at all times

Education/Experience:

Required:

• At least 2 years experience working with children in a professional setting
• Ability to think and problem-solve creatively and with a tremendous amount of patience and compassion
• Familiarity with Michigan State Childcare Licensing requirements
• Possess a profound respect for children and the natural environment, a positive attitude, reliable work ethic, and commitment to learning
• Possess experience and genuine appreciation for diversity of races, cultures, and developmental differences and a love for the outdoors (in all weather!) and the natural environment.

Equipment Operation: N/A

Physical Requirements:

• Pushing quad stroller
• Ability to lift up to 40 pound child
• Hiking, frequent walks, other outdoor activities
• Bending, squatting, crawling, standing, kneeling, sitting on the floor with children

Travel: N/A

This job description is not intended to cover every detail or every aspect of the job identified. Other duties may and will be assigned based upon the workload and needs of the department.

Kalsec is committed to providing safe food to its customers. This position requires completing annual food safety training.Food safety training is conducted through Kalsec electronic training program and on-the-job training in each department.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.