Associate Teacher, Great Start Readiness Program (2026-27 school year)

TrulyHired; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Kent ISD is seeking an Associate Teacher for the Great Start Readiness Program to prepare students for kindergarten in a safe preschool setting. Multiple sites within Kent County are involved, with 172 days per year and 35 hours per week.

The role supports the lead teacher, develops weekly lesson plans aligned with Connect4Learning, collects assessments, and participates in family events and professional development. Strong collaboration and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• AA in early childhood education or child development or the equivalent.
• CDA credential is acceptable.
• Willingness to obtain CDA or AA in ECE within two years.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate developmentally appropriate learning activities for the preschool day.
• Support lead teacher in weekly lesson plans with Connect4Learning fidelity.
• Gather assessment data to plan individualized instruction.
• Attend home visits, conferences, family events, and open houses.
• Participate in professional development and PLCs.
• Maintain child files and confidentiality.
• Develop positive partnerships with families and staff; collaborate with the lead teacher.

Skills

Preschool education experience

Family communication

Classroom management

Curriculum planning

Differentiated instruction

Education

Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development

CDA credential

Job description

Associate Teacher – Great Start Readiness Program (2026-27 school year)

Kent ISD/ GSRP bargaining unit

172 days per year. 35 hours per week.

Multiple positions available - various sites within Kent County.

Broad Statement of Responsibilities

Prepare students for kindergarten in a safe and nurturing preschool environment.

Minimum Requirements

• An associate's degree (AA) in early childhood education or child development or the equivalent
• OR A valid classroom CDA credential;
• OR Willingness to obtain CDA or associate's degree in early childhood education or child development within two years

Preferred Requirements

• Certification of CPR and First Aid required by State Licensing.
• Teaching experience with at-risk children.
• Experience working with early childhood curriculum.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Facilitate developmentally appropriate learning activities for all parts of the preschool day.
• Support the lead teacher in developing high-quality weekly lesson plans with fidelity to the Connect4Learning curriculum.
• 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 and PLCs.
• Maintain child files.
• Ensure compliance with all licensing standards.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Develop positive partnerships with families and other staff members.
• Collaborate with the lead teacher.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• 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.
• Display sensitivity in meeting the needs of a diverse population of children and 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.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, staff, and the school community.
• Demonstrate self-directedness and initiative when given a variety of tasks and responsibilities.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently stand, walk, sit, talk and hear.
• Regularly reach with hands and arms.
• Regularly sit on the floor with children for extended periods of time.
• Regularly get up and down from the floor.
• Regularly lift up to 40- 70 pounds.
• Occasionally climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision.
• The employee needs to be able to tell where a sound is coming from and hear in a noisy environment.
• Employee must possess physical ability sufficient to employ physical intervention strategies when necessary, i.e. non-violent crisis intervention techniques.

Salary

Step 1-3 $19.34-$22.53/hour

Benefits

Robust benefit package includes full medical, dental, and vision insurance; generous paid sick and personal days; State of Michigan School Employment retirement program; Kent ISD is a participating employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF/ SAVE plan) for eligible Federal student loans.

Please note, due to the large number of applications, we are unable to attend to e-mail or telephone inquiries on application status.

The final candidate for this position will be required (at their cost) to furnish Kent Intermediate School District with a current Michigan State Police and FBI criminal records LiveScan check prior to our recommendation to hire.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Alternative requirements that may be appropriate and acceptable to the School Board may be considered. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex (including gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth, or a related condition), age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, military service, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or any other legally protected basis, and prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment and retaliation, in any education program or activity that it operates, including in admission and employment. The Coordinator for Title IX, Section 504, the Age Discrimination Act and Title II is: Dave Rodgers, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources