Early Learning Lead Teacher

YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established non-profit organization is seeking a Lead Teacher to inspire and educate young minds in a nurturing environment. This role involves planning and implementing engaging lesson plans, fostering relationships with children and parents, and ensuring a safe and inclusive atmosphere. The ideal candidate will have a passion for early childhood education, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to the values of community and service. Join a team dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of children and their families, while enjoying competitive benefits and a supportive work culture.

Benefits

Free YMCA Family Membership

50% Discount on Childcare Programs

Paid Time Off

Health/Dental/Vision Insurance

403(b) Retirement Savings Account

Ongoing Training and Development

Employee Assistance Program

Qualifications

• Experience in childcare and early childhood education is essential.
• Ability to create engaging lesson plans and activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily classroom activities and maintain a safe environment.
• Conduct parent-teacher conferences and maintain records.

Skills

Childcare Experience

Lesson Planning

Communication Skills

Behavior Management

Team Collaboration

Education

Infant Toddler CDA credential

Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education

Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education

Tools

Microsoft Office

Childcare Management Software

Job description

4 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Guiding Principles describe our behaviors to support our organization's work throughout its life in all circumstances, irrespective of changes in goals, strategies, and leadership. Our Guiding Principles are as follows: We CULTIVATE-We grow staff and volunteer leaders who will be stewards of the Y mission, resources, and opportunities. We OWN-We think long-term and act on behalf of the organization, beyond our own team. We WELCOME-We are inclusive of all people and all communities. We SERVE-We provide timely and excellent service to members, volunteers, community, and each other. We LEARN-We are never done learning and always seek to improve. We are curious about new possibilities and act to explore them. We UNITE-We work together to achieve big goals and speak as one voice. We RESPECT-We treat others with kindness and speak positively about other people in all situations. We PLAY-We celebrate, appreciate, and have fun!

The YMCA of Great Grand Rapids utilizes a Membership By Design framework, which is a member involvement and community building model for YMCAs across the country. All staff members—frontline, management, full- and part-time—and volunteers have a role to play in member engagement. These responsibilities can be broken into six steps:

• Enrollment: Staff and volunteers encourage potential members to enroll in programs and activities that meet their needs.
• Satisfaction: Staff and volunteers ask members continually about their satisfaction with a program or activity, track responses, listen to suggestions, and respond promptly in a manner consistent with the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
• Relationship Building: Staff and volunteers are open, friendly, and approachable to all YMCA members and participants. Staff and volunteers initiate interaction with and between members.
• Education and Conversion: Staff and volunteers know about and share their knowledge of the YMCA, its programs, its policies, its mission, its values, and how it benefits members and the community.
• Volunteerism and Leadership: Staff and volunteers create opportunities for members to volunteer in their areas of interest, and they ask members to do so whenever appropriate.
• Ownership: Staff and volunteers encourage members to “own” the YMCA, using words such as “we,” “us,” and “our association” (and actions that match those words) to include members as well as staff and volunteers.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Lead Teacher is responsible for the planning, developing, and implementation of classroom activities. This position requires face-to-face leadership in this program and may involve early morning responsibilities. This position will be Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Plans and leads daily lesson plans
• Organizes and participates in games and activities
• Provides weekly lesson plans to parents
• Provides each participant's parent with information on individual activities on a daily basis
• Prepares materials for daily activities
• Maintains records of attendance and arrival and departure times
• Maintains supervision of children
• Conducts parent-teacher conferences at least annually
• Maintains the quality and quantity of supplies, equipment, and materials in the classroom
• Disciplines children and recommends or initiates other measures to control behavior

Performs any other functions necessary for the smooth and efficient operation of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids

COMPENSATION

$16.43 - $20.54 ; Full Time; Non-Exempt (40 hours/week)

BENEFITS

• Free YMCA Family Membership and program discounts!
• 50% discount off the regular rate for each child registered in a YMCA childcare program. Full-time YMCA employees working in a licensed childcare program will receive a 50% discount on all Early Learning (including infant room), School-Age, and Day Camp registrations.
• Paid Time Off, beginning at 3 weeks per year
• 9 Paid Holidays per year
• 12% retirement contribution upon eligibility, learn more here
• 403(b) retirement savings account
• The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. More information can be found here.
• Long term disability, basic life insurance and other voluntary benefits
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program and resources for you and your family
• Community Discounts, and more!

Description:

OUR CULTURE:

Guiding Principles describe our behaviors to support our organization's work throughout its life in all circumstances, irrespective of changes in goals, strategies, and leadership. Our Guiding Principles are as follows: We CULTIVATE-We grow staff and volunteer leaders who will be stewards of the Y mission, resources, and opportunities. We OWN-We think long-term and act on behalf of the organization, beyond our own team. We WELCOME-We are inclusive of all people and all communities. We SERVE-We provide timely and excellent service to members, volunteers, community, and each other. We LEARN-We are never done learning and always seek to improve. We are curious about new possibilities and act to explore them. We UNITE-We work together to achieve big goals and speak as one voice. We RESPECT-We treat others with kindness and speak positively about other people in all situations. We PLAY-We celebrate, appreciate, and have fun!

The YMCA of Great Grand Rapids utilizes a Membership By Design framework, which is a member involvement and community building model for YMCAs across the country. All staff members—frontline, management, full- and part-time—and volunteers have a role to play in member engagement. These responsibilities can be broken into six steps:

Enrollment: Staff and volunteers encourage potential members to enroll in programs and activities that meet their needs.

Satisfaction: Staff and volunteers ask members continually about their satisfaction with a program or activity, track responses, listen to suggestions, and respond promptly in a manner consistent with the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Relationship Building: Staff and volunteers are open, friendly, and approachable to all YMCA members and participants. Staff and volunteers initiate interaction with and between members.

Education and Conversion: Staff and volunteers know about and share their knowledge of the YMCA, its programs, its policies, its mission, its values, and how it benefits members and the community.

Volunteerism and Leadership: Staff and volunteers create opportunities for members to volunteer in their areas of interest, and they ask members to do so whenever appropriate.

Ownership: Staff and volunteers encourage members to “own” the YMCA, using words such as “we,” “us,” and “our association” (and actions that match those words) to include members as well as staff and volunteers.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Lead Teacher is responsible for the planning, developing, and implementation of classroom activities. This position requires face-to-face leadership in this program and may involve early morning responsibilities. This position will be Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Plans and leads daily lesson plans
• Organizes and participates in games and activities
• Provides weekly lesson plans to parents
• Provides each participant's parent with information on individual activities on a daily basis
• Prepares materials for daily activities
• Maintains records of attendance and arrival and departure times
• Maintains supervision of children
• Conducts parent-teacher conferences at least annually
• Maintains the quality and quantity of supplies, equipment, and materials in the classroom
• Disciplines children and recommends or initiates other measures to control behavior
• Handles parent concerns

Performs any other functions necessary for the smooth and efficient operation of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids

COMPENSATION

$16.43 - $20.54 ; Full Time; Non-Exempt (40 hours/week)

BENEFITS

• Free YMCA Family Membership and program discounts!
• 50% discount off the regular rate for each child registered in a YMCA childcare program. Full-time YMCA employees working in a licensed childcare program will receive a 50% discount on all Early Learning (including infant room), School-Age, and Day Camp registrations.
• Health/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off, beginning at 3 weeks per year
• 9 Paid Holidays per year
• 12% retirement contribution upon eligibility, learn more here
• 403(b) retirement savings account
• The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. More information can be found here.
• Paid Parental Leave
• Long term disability, basic life insurance and other voluntary benefits
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program and resources for you and your family
• Community Discounts, and more!

Requirements:

KNOW HOW

Infant Toddler CDA credential from an accredited college or Associates/Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education is required for this position. If you are interested in obtaining a certification with support of the YMCA to qualify you for this role, please indicate so on your application. Three to six months childcare related experience; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience required. Ability to interact with people of all ethnic backgrounds, ages, and lifestyles. Ability and desire to work with and care for infants, toddler, and preschool children. Working knowledge of computers and experience with a variety of software applications.

CERTIFICATIONS

• Blood Borne Pathogen training
• CPR Certification required within the first 60 days
• First Aid Certification required within the first 60 days
• State of Michigan criminal background clearance (ICHAT)
• Fingerprinting
• DHS clearance
• Negative T.B. skin test

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

TRAVEL:

0 - 5% of local travel within the state of Michigan; occasional out-of-state travel may be required for educational conferences or training.

PM21

Compensation details: 16.43-20.54 Hourly Wage

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Education and Training

• Industries

  Non-profit Organization Management

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