Young Fives Teacher - Monteith

Grosse Pointe Public School System; Grosse Pointe (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Grosse Pointe Public School System seeks a Developmentally oriented Young Fives Teacher to provide a nurturing, engaging learning environment for students entering kindergarten readiness.

The role involves planning developmentally appropriate experiences balancing explicit instruction with play, exploration, movement, and hands-on learning in alignment with the district curriculum.

Qualifications

• Must hold a 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.

Responsibilities

• Implements the established Grosse Pointe curriculum while adapting instruction to meet developmental needs of Young Fives students.
• Creates a warm, welcoming, structured, and developmentally appropriate classroom environment promoting belonging, independence, curiosity, and confidence.
• Plans and facilitates learning experiences that include play, exploration, movement, hands-on learning, and explicit instruction.
• Develops foundational early literacy and numeracy skills through engaging, age-appropriate activities.
• Supports development of students’ social-emotional skills including self-regulation, communication, and cooperation.
• Provides opportunities to develop fine and gross motor skills and school-readiness.
• Establishes consistent routines and expectations to help students navigate the school environment.
• Uses developmentally appropriate assessments to monitor growth and inform instruction.
• Identifies and modifies instructional resources to meet varying developmental levels and needs.
• Includes culturally diverse themes and experiences in instruction and environment.
• Delivers differentiated learning opportunities based on readiness.
• Collaborates with special education staff and other professionals within MTSS framework.
• Communicates regularly with families about student development and progress.
• Partners with families to support transitions from Young Fives to kindergarten.
• Collaborates with kindergarten teachers to align curricula and developmentally appropriate transitions.
• Maintains accurate student records and documentation.
• Creates a positive learning environment that encourages inquiry and love of learning.
• Models professional and ethical standards in interactions.
• Participates in professional development related to early childhood education.

Skills

Early childhood ed

Classroom management

Family communication

Developmental assessment

Collaborative skills

Education

Michigan elementary certificate

Endorsements in elementary

Early Childhood endorsement preferred

Job description

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

• 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.

Note: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions, or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school district may add to, modify, or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.

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.