Head Start/GSRP Blend Lead Teacher

Muskegonisd; Muskegon (MI); On-site; USD 37,167 - 48,927; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental & vision insurance

Retirement benefits

Job summary

The Muskegon Area Intermediate School District is seeking a Classroom Teacher for the Great Start Readiness Program / Head Start. You will provide age-appropriate learning experiences for a class of 16 four-year-olds, supporting their transition to kindergarten, with home visits and parent engagement.

Responsibilities include delivering developmentally appropriate lessons, maintaining a positive classroom climate, and collaborating with families and staff.

Qualifications

• Valid Michigan teaching certificate with an early childhood endorsement (ZA/ZS) or equivalent.
• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood or child development with preschool specialization.
• Prior early childhood classroom experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop daily lessons aligned with program goals, philosophy, and curriculum.
• Engage in instructional practices aligned with the adopted curriculum.
• Observe and assess individual children using timely, reliable measures.
• Create a positive climate to reinforce appropriate behavior and social skills.
• Provide a safe, engaging learning environment with displays and centers.
• Coordinate classroom assistants and volunteers; maintain student records.

Skills

Teaching certificate

Early childhood endorsement

Preschool education degree

Education

Michigan teaching certificate with ZA/ZS endorsement

Bachelor's degree in early childhood or child development

Job description

Muskegon Area Intermediate School District

Job Description

JOB TITLE

Classroom Teacher, Great Start Readiness Program / Head Start

CLASSIFICATION

Professional

REPORTS TO

Coordinator, Early Childhood Center

TERMS

This position is a 200 total paid days position offering single subscriber medical, dental, and vision benefits. Dental, vision, and life insurance are paid by the district at no cost to the employee. Personal business days, holidays and sick time paid. Retirement through the Office of Retirement Services (Pension Plus or Defined Contribution).

SALARY RANGE

This position is on the Early Childhood Center Scale that is grant funded, $37167 for an AA, $40019 for a BA, $48927 for a MA or ZS. Due to grant funding, there are no negotiations available on this salary wage.

MHTS EC teachers, classroom assistants & attendants, bus & nutrition assistant: retention payment hired on/before 9/30/26 payable in up to $2250 increments as of employment 9/30/26 & 1/31/2027.

GENERAL JOB FUNCTION

The Great Start Readiness Teacher provides age and developmentally appropriate learning experiences with a classroom of four-year old children resulting in their successful transition into kindergarten. Responsible to successfully develop the emotional, physical, social, and intellectual growth of assigned children, recognizing and responding to the individual needs of each child. Home visits and parent engagement activities also required. Each teacher is responsible for a classroom of 16 children to instruct seven hours per day.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Possession of the following minimum credentials:
2. 1. Valid Michigan teaching certificate and an early childhood specialist endorsement (ZA or ZS), or
   2. A bachelor’s degree in early childhood or child development with a specialization in preschool teaching. Transcripts will document a major, rather than a minor, in child development or early childhood education.
3. Prior early childhood classroom experience preferred.
4. The ability to work and communicate effectively with parents and young children.
5. Home visitation experience preferred, particularly with young families.
6. Successful pre-employment physical exam including tuberculosis screening and criminal records background check.

PREFERRED COMPETENCIES

Understanding the Organization

• Serves as a strategic partner to build, grow and maintain profitable and long-lasting relationships with key stakeholders

Building Collaborative Relationships

• Finds common ground and drives to consensus
• Takes a proactive approach to relate, build and maintain rapport with stakeholders
• Understands interpersonal and group dynamics and responds in an effective manner

Making Complex Decisions

• Is respected by others for displaying student-focused decisions
• Takes a proactive approach as an effective liaison between multiple and diverse stakeholders

Taking Initiative

• Identifies and seizes new opportunities with a student focus
• Adapts quickly to changing resource requirements

Being Authentic

• Provides direct and actionable feedback
• Shows consistency between words and actions

Being Flexible and Adaptable

• Remains calm and productive in uncertain situations
• Takes on the challenge of unfamiliar tasks

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Develops daily lessons aligned with the program’s school readiness goals, philosophy, child development domains, and curriculum.
2. Engages in instructional practices which are aligned with the program’s adopted research-based curriculum.
3. Observes and assesses individual children in accordance to the program’s policies and procedures. Observations and assessments shall be timely and reliable measures of children’s development.
4. Provides an appropriate climate to establish and reinforce acceptable pupil behavior, attitudes, and social skills. Actively utilizes the program’s adopted child behavior framework.
5. Creates a safe and effective environment for learning through functional and attractive displays, interesting learning centers and exhibits of children’s work.
6. Provides individual and small group instruction designed to meet individual needs of pupils in communication skills, health habits, physical skills and development of self-concepts. Assist in maintaining accurate and an up-to-date file on each child in accordance to program policies and procedures.
7. Actively engages with parents/caregivers in order to enhance child’s success and readiness to enter Kindergarten successfully.
8. 1. Promotes parent/caregiver participation and involvement in education activities provided for their children.
   2. Communicates regularly and documents communication with parents/caregivers by means of a newsletter, notes, phone calls, conferences and home visits.
   3. Refers to advocate/outreach services for families.
   4. Acts as liaison between families and community agency service providers; assists families in accessing appropriate services in the community.
   5. Interprets school programs to parents/caregivers in order to strengthen parental understanding of the individual child’s needs and the school’s role in the child’s life.
9. Enriches the educational program through study trips to community resources such as museums, parks and through classroom visits by resource person from the school and community.
10. Assists with the recruitment of families eligible for GSRP services.
11. Plans and coordinates the work of classroom assistants, parents, and volunteers in the classroom and on field/study trips.
12. Attends and actively participates in staff meetings and professional development opportunities as assigned.
13. Conducts such other tasks and assumes other responsibilities as may be assigned.

NOTABLE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The pre-school classroom environment requires much standing, sitting, bending, twisting, and squatting throughout a typical day. Driving is required for home visitations. Occasionally required to lift objects up to 30 pounds. There are frequent requirements to lift, hold and move moderate (students) and to control outbursts of physical behavior in the classroom setting.

OPPORTUNITY FOR ADVANCEMENT

TYPICAL WORK ENVIRONMENT

Most work is performed at the early childhood center location. Home visitation also required.

EVALUATION

Employees in this classification are evaluated prior to the completion of probationary status and according to Board policy thereafter.

TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS

Occasional local and non-local travel.

PAY STRUCTURE::

Commensurate with MAISD wage and benefit schedule.

It is the policy of the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District that no staff member, candidate for employment, program participant, or recipient of services shall experience discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or transgender identity) disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category (collectively "Protected Classes”), in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities. Inquiries related to issues of discrimination on the basis of disability should be directed to the Director for Special Education at [phone]. All other discrimination inquiries or requests for special accommodations to participate in a program, event, or activity should be directed to the Associate Superintendent for Human Services at [phone].