Great Start Readiness Program Lead Teacher

This position is for a GSRP classroom at the Jacquline Baber Bey Early Childhood Center. Applicants must be available to work Monday-Friday, between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

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—front-line, management, full- and part-time—and volunteers have a role to play in member engagement. These responsibilities can be broken into six steps:

1. Enrollment: Staff and volunteers encourage potential members to enroll in programs and activities that meet their needs.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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 Great Start Readiness Program Lead Teacher is responsible for the planning, developing, and implementation of GSRP preschool classroom activities and requirements. This position requires face-to-face leadership in this program and may involve early morning responsibilities.

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 twice a year
• Administers the Brigance and PALS too
• Establishes a working relationship with Early Childhood Specialist, which includes offsite meetings and conferences.
• Conducts Home visits twice a year.
• 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
• Travel to conference within state and out of state.
• Adhering to MDE guidelines and requirements for GSRP

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

COMPENSATION

$22.00 - $24.00 ; Non-Exempt; Full Time; 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
• 10% 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!

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s Degree (BA) in early childhood education or child development with endorsement required within 3 years of hire; six months to one year childcare related experience; or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Ability to interact with people of all ethnic backgrounds, ages, and lifestyles. Ability and desire to work with preschool children and their families. Working knowledge of computers and experience with a variety of software applications. YMCA experience preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATION

• 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
• Documentation of physical exam

YMCA LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

Functional Expertise

• Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job at a high level of accomplishment.
• Uses best practices, guidelines, and industry standards as a framework to improve performance.

Developing Self & Others

• Supports members, participants, or project teams in achieving their goals.
• Reflects on and learns from successes and mistakes.
• Proactively shares information, experiences, lessons learned, and suggestions to help others be more successful.
• Volunteers for challenging tasks or projects in an effort to grow and develop.
• Solicits and is open to informal learning opportunities to gain insight (e.g., performance feedback, coaching, and stretch assignments).

Inclusion

• Embraces all dimensions of diversity (i.e., ability, age, culture, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, income, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, etc.) by treating all people with dignity, compassion, and respect.
• Creates a safe environment in which others feel welcome and respected.

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.