Young Fives Teacher - Monteith

Grosse-Pointe-Public-School-System; Grosse Pointe (MI); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Grosse Pointe Public Schools System is seeking a Young Fives Teacher for Monteith Elementary School to foster a developmentally appropriate, engaging classroom environment and support early learning.

You will implement play-based, scaffolded instruction aligned with GPPS curriculum, collaborate with special education staff, communicate with families, and help transition to kindergarten.

Qualifications

• Must hold a valid Michigan Elementary Teaching Certificate.
• Endorsements in Michigan elementary education required.
• Early Childhood endorsements (ZA or ZS) preferred.
• Experience with preschool, Young Fives, or early elementary grades preferred.
• Strong knowledge of early childhood development and developmentally appropriate instructional practices.
• Relevant coursework or experience in related fields is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Implement the established GPPS curriculum while adapting instruction to meet Young Fives developmental needs.
• Create a warm, welcoming classroom that promotes belonging, independence, curiosity, and confidence.
• Plan and facilitate play-based, exploration, movement, and hands-on learning experiences.
• Develop foundational early literacy and numeracy skills through age-appropriate activities.
• Support social-emotional development, including self-regulation, communication, and cooperation.
• Provide preparation for school readiness and transition to kindergarten.
• Establish routines that promote increasing independence and engagement.
• Use developmentally appropriate assessment to monitor growth and inform instruction.
• Differentiate resources for varying abilities and backgrounds.
• Collaborate with special education, MTSS, and other staff to support students.
• Communicate regularly with families about progress and strategies at home.
• Partner with families for a positive transition into kindergarten.
• Collaborate with kindergarten teachers for curricular alignment.
• Maintain accurate student records and documentation.
• Foster a love of learning in a supportive classroom culture.
• Model professional and ethical standards and participate in ongoing professional development.
• Meet deadlines, attend meetings, and perform assigned duties as required.

Skills

Developmental knowledge

Early literacy instruction

Classroom management

Differentiated instruction

Collaboration with families

Education

Michigan Elementary Teaching Certificate

Michigan elementary endorsement(s)

ZA or ZS Early Childhood endorsement

Job description

• Position Type: Instructional/ Teacher - Elementary


• Date Posted: 8/28/2026


• Location: Monteith Elementary School

JOB SUMMARY

The selected candidate will be responsible for providing a developmentally appropriate, engaging, and nurturing educational environment for students enrolled in the Young Fives program. The Young Fives Teacher will support students' academic, social-emotional, physical, and developmental growth while building the foundational skills and confidence necessary for a successful transition to kindergarten.

The teacher will plan and implement developmentally responsive learning experiences that balance explicit instruction with purposeful play, exploration, movement, collaboration, and hands‑on learning. Instruction will be aligned with the Grosse Pointe Public School System curriculum, policies, goals, and objectives while recognizing and responding to the unique developmental needs of young learners.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Valid Michigan Elementary Teaching Certificate.


• Appropriate Michigan elementary endorsement(s) required.


• ZA or ZS Early Childhood endorsement preferred.


• Experience teaching preschool, Young Fives, kindergarten, or other early elementary grades preferred.


• Demonstrated knowledge of early childhood development and developmentally appropriate instructional practices.


• Significant experience and/or coursework in related fields preferred.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Implements the established Grosse Pointe curriculum while adapting instruction and learning experiences to meet the developmental needs of Young Fives students.


• Creates a warm, welcoming, structured, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment that promotes student belonging, independence, curiosity, and confidence.


• Plans and facilitates learning experiences that incorporate purposeful play, exploration, movement, hands‑on learning, and explicit instruction.


• Develops foundational early literacy and numeracy skills through engaging, age-appropriate learning experiences.


• Supports the development of students' social-emotional skills, including self-regulation, communication, problem-solving, cooperation, independence, and positive peer relationships.


• Provides opportunities to develop fine and gross motor skills and other school-readiness skills necessary for success in kindergarten and beyond.


• Establishes consistent classroom routines and expectations that help young learners successfully navigate the school environment and develop increasing independence.


• Uses developmentally appropriate assessment practices, observation, and student work to monitor individual growth and inform instruction.


• Identifies, selects, and modifies instructional resources and strategies to meet the needs of students with varying developmental levels, backgrounds, learning styles, and individual needs.


• Includes culturally diverse themes, perspectives, materials, and experiences within classroom instruction and the learning environment.


• Provides differentiated learning opportunities and appropriate levels of support and challenge based on each student's developmental readiness.


• Collaborates with special education staff, interventionists, support staff, administrators, and other professionals to address individual student needs within an MTSS framework.


• Communicates regularly and effectively with families regarding student development, progress, classroom experiences, and strategies to support learning and school readiness at home.


• Partners with families to support a positive transition into the school environment and ultimately into kindergarten.


• Collaborates with kindergarten teachers and other elementary colleagues to promote curricular and developmental alignment and a successful transition from Young Fives to kindergarten.


• Maintains accurate and efficient student records and documentation.


• Creates a positive learning environment in which students are actively engaged and encouraged to explore, ask questions, take appropriate risks, and develop a love of learning.


• Models professional and ethical standards when interacting with students, families, colleagues, and the community.


• Participates in professional learning and collaborative opportunities related to early childhood education, curriculum, instruction, assessment, and student development.


• Meets professional obligations through effective work habits, including meeting deadlines, honoring schedules, communicating proactively, and collaborating with colleagues.


• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Prolonged periods of standing and walking throughout school and the classroom.


• Must be able to lift up to 45 pounds at a time.


• Must be able to assist students who have physical difficulties.


• Occasional bending, kneeling, sitting, standing, and climbing stairs.


• Prolonged periods of sitting and working on the computer are necessary to complete paperwork.

COMPENSATION

Salary is based on the GPEA CBA, which may or may not recognize previous professional teaching experience. GPEA Members are also eligible for a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including health/dental/vision/life and long-term disability insurance. Membership in the Michigan Public Schools Employee Retirement System www.michigan.gov/ors.

Selection Procedure

• The successful candidate must meet the State standard for a clear criminal history and provide mandated fingerprint clearance.

NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

The Grosse Pointe Public Schools System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation's to individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in completing the employment application call, 313-432-3018 or email: [e-mail]. We will provide you with assistance and make a determination regarding your request for a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

Lillie Loder, Director of Student Services

20090 Morningside Drive

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236

Phone: [phone]

[e-mail];

Deputy Superintendent for Educational Services

20601 Morningside Drive

Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236

Phone: [phone]

For further information on notice of nondiscrimination, visit http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/CFAPPS/OCR/contactus.cfm for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1-800-421-3481.

FMLA regulations require all employers to post the updated FMLA notice .