Associate Teacher

Mid Michigan Community Action Agency; Beaverton (MI); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Mid Michigan Community Action Agency seeks an engaged early childhood professional to support developmentally appropriate programming and family involvement. You will collaborate with teaching teams to implement activities and ensure child safety, while maintaining accurate documentation and data entry in Child Plus.

The role emphasizes teamwork, adherence to Head Start standards, and ongoing professional development within a supportive community program.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, or Child Development or a CDA.
• Family Service Credential within 18 months of hire or the first session offered thereafter.
• Must complete 16 hours of annual training in addition to CPR, First Aid and Blood Borne Pathogen training.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively.
• Knowledge of Head Start standards and related regulations.
• Proficient computer skills (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Responsibilities

• Assist in implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum and activities.
• Ensure safety and well-being of every child in care.
• Engage families and promote agency programs within the community.
• Enter data into Child Plus and applicable databases.
• Attend staff meetings, conferences, and trainings.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Multitasking

Self-directed

Conflict resolution

Education

Associate degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development

CDA or Family Service Credential

Job description

General Responsibilities:

• Assist in the implementation of a developmentally appropriate program for eligible children following the curriculum and funding source guidelines in coordination with management staff.
• Ensure quality program service delivery.
• Protect the privacy of customers/families and hold in confidence all information obtained in the course of service.

Specific Duties:

• Assist in executing a developmentally appropriate curriculum, providing activities to meet required components of the Service Delivery Plan, enhancing the physical, intellectual, social and emotional growth of young children.
• Responsible to assure the safety and well-being of every child in care.
• Promote a team approach in program coordination with site staff, management staff, Policy Council and area school personnel.
• Must be able to actively engage young children in intentional learning.
• Fulfill the role of lead teacher as deemed necessary if the Teacher is unavailable.
• Must actively engage family involvement in the program, including child and family goal setting.
• Must observe and assess children's learning and enter necessary data into applicable databases.
• Assist in creating and maintaining a developmentally appropriate and safe classroom environment.
• Be able to perform as an effective team member and promote positive concepts in the classroom.
• Must participate in conducting two home visits and two parent teacher conferences annually.
• Assist in the distribution and collection of in-kind.
• Assist in analyzing child outcome data for use in daily planning and individualization.
• Accurately enter necessary data into Child Plus as required.
• Accurately complete required program documentation and record keeping in a neat and timely manner.
• Work effectively with Teaching Team, Regional Coordinator and Component Coordinators in meeting program and overall departmental monthly, quarterly and annual goals and objectives.
• Accurately complete required program documentation and record keeping in a neat and timely manner.
• Recruit families and promote agency programs within the community.
• Participate in personal and professional development activities, including staff meetings, conferences, training opportunities, as identified and approved by supervisors.
• Attend community events and meetings to support the agency programs; including evening and weekend events/meetings.
• All other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Qualifications:

• Associate degree in Early Childhood Education, or Child Development or a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA).
• Family Service Credential within 18 months of hire or the first session offered thereafter.
• Must complete 16 hours of annual training in addition to CPR, First Aid and Blood Borne Pathogen training.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively.
• Demonstrated ability as a strength-based leader.
• Demonstrated ability to present information to community groups.
• Knowledge of the Head Start Performance Standards, Head Start Act, Great Start Readiness Program Implementation Manual, and State Licensing Regulations.
• Teaching Strategies Gold, Creative Curriculum, and Child Plus preferred.
• Head Start/GSRP experience preferred.
• Knowledge of Creative Curriculum/Teaching Strategies Gold/Child Plus preferred.

Additional Requirements:

• Possess a solid knowledge base with respect to child development and family services and seek to expand knowledge at every opportunity.
• Complete additional certifications as required.
• Maintain confidentiality and code of ethics at all times.
• Must have Proficient Computer Skills. (Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet)
• Must have reliable transportation, a valid driver's license, provide proof of insurance, and MMCAA's "Insurance Carriers" driving record review.
• Successfully complete required background checks at time of hire and when requested.
• Shall provide written report by a physician stating their physical capability and freedom from communicable tuberculosis.
• Must have good communication and organizational skills and be able to work effectively with people.
• Must be self-directed and able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Must possess the ability to prioritize and complete tasks in order to deliver desired outcomes within allocated time frames.
• Must be willing to accept new challenges.
• The ability to navigate and effectively resolve conflict.
• Must comply with Agency tobacco free and drug free policies.
• Understand the importance of daily work attendance, and its impact on coworkers, clients, and the agency.
• Must be able to lift and carry a child weighing 45 pounds in an emergency situation.
• Must be able to bend, squat, and sit on the floor.
• Must be physically capable of performing CPR (with appropriate training).
• Must be able to work at the same level as a preschool child -bend, sit on floor or child's chair, squat.