Teacher's Aide

Position Description 

Grace Preschool Teacher’s Aide  

Part time

Monday - Friday 8:30am-12:30pm OR 12:30pm-3:30pm

School year runs Labor Day - Memorial Day

With the addition of employee + family  orientation + PD prior to start as well as end of year cleaning after school year end. Dates to be determined.

Grace Preschool seeks to hire a creative, competent, and passionate teacher aide to collaboratively foster the development, curiosity and creativity of young children in a warm, loving, and play-based classroom.

Principal Function: The Grace Preschool Aide works collaboratively with the director, teachers, aides, families, students, and community to foster an environment that supports the growth and development of all students. 

Personal Abilities and Competencies

The Teacher’s Aide should possess the following:

1. Communication Skills: has excellent verbal and listening skills with both children and adults. Utilizes these skills to develop and maintain relationships.
2. Self and Time Management Skills: maintains a calm demeanor with students, staff, and families when responding under pressure. Is punctual and reliable. Regular attendance is a core function of this role.
3. Classroom Experience: is proficient in classroom management and has an understanding of early childhood development. Knowledge of the Reggio Emilia approach is appreciated. Curiosity and/or a willingness to learn about this and similar pedagogy is required.
4. Collaborative Mindset: is able to collaborate with the lead teacher(s), director, staff members, students, and families to create a harmonious, constructive, and differentiated classroom environment.
5. Life Long Learner: is committed to lifelong learning and willing to utilize this competency to strengthen their teaching skills as well as come beside students as a co-learner in the classroom.

Primary Responsibilities

The Teacher’s Aide will:

1. Uphold the mission, vision, and values of Grace Preschool.
2. Build genuine, nurturing relationships with students. 
3. Provide proactive care and supervision of students.
4. Engage in observation and documentation of student growth throughout the year.
5. Collaborate with other teachers to ensure individual needs of students are met in a positive and enriching way.
6. Know and uphold all Grace Preschool policies and procedures.
7. Attend staff meetings, school orientations, and other in-house training sessions. Maintain 16 hours of professional development each calendar year with the support of the director.
8. Attend school events as required and/or possible.
9. Assist with preparing and maintaining the learning environment on a daily basis throughout the year as well as prior to the start of the school year.
10. Assist with the end of year classroom and school clean-up.

Qualifications

1. Education: Some education in Early Childhood Education preferred, but not required.
2. Experience: 1-2 years of Early Childhood experience preferred, but not required.
3. Disposition: Willing to learn and curious about developing positive learning environments.
4. Certifications: First Aid and CPR Certified. MiRegistry Health and Safety Trainings. (May be completed upon hire).
5. Fingerprinting and Background Check: Must be finger printed and pass a background check prior to hiring.

Relationships of Support and Accountability 

1. The Teacher’s Aide will report to the Director of Grace Preschool. It is expected that there will be regular meetings and open communication to facilitate a harmonious working relationship. 
2. The Teacher’s Aide will be responsible for participating in a reflection with the Director after 3 months and an evaluation annually.

Pay and Benefits:

1. This position will be paid $17/hr 
2. PTO to be determined based on hours worked/week
3. Seasonal Breaks in alignment with the East Grand Rapids Public School calendar
4. Professional Development 

To Apply

Send cover letter, resume, and professional references to grace@gracepreschoolgr.org. Direct inquiries to grace@gracepreschoolgr.org. Position will remain open until filled.

About Grace Preschool

At Grace Preschool we believe that all children are curious, capable and competent (and creative! and compassionate!). We seek to provide a learning environment where children are called to explore the world around them in meaningful and holistic ways. Through this exploration, we continue strengthening children’s innate love of learning and help build social skills for school and life. Children at Grace Preschool will hear about God’s never ending love and will explore how to share this love with the world around them. Students are supported and challenged as they develop across all domains of growth. We strive to provide an inclusive and welcoming environment for all children and work actively to learn more about what this means.

Grace Preschool is committed to building and sustaining a welcoming community that supports the inclusion of all families, educators, and administrators. We are committed to the recruitment and retention of diverse employees and families and believe that the diversity of children, families, and educators enrich the educational experiences of all children.

Please visit our website at gracepreschoolgr.org  to learn more about us!

Grace Preschool’s equal employment opportunity policy provides that no applicant or employee be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, gender, gender expression, marital status, age, sexual orientation, national origin, hairstyle, disability, pregnancy, or any other category protected by federal law. Such discrimination in any of its activities or operations is prohibited by law and will not be tolerated by Grace Preschool. These activities include, but are not limited to, the appointment to and termination from its Board of Directors, hiring and firing of staff or contractors, selection of volunteers, selection of vendors, and providing of services.