GSRP Associate Teacher Position

The Discovery Center has been a standard of excellence for childcares in the Kalamazoo area for 50 years! We were voted Best of Kalamazoo 2026, and Best of Michigan 2026.

Full-Time Late August - Early June

MISSION STATEMENT

The Discovery Center mission is to provide a nurturing “home base” that gives children the emotional security and creative freedom to explore the world around them with joy and wonder.

PHILOSOPHYThe Discovery Center philosophy is that true discovery only happens when a child feels safe and seen. Our philosophy centers on the “Whole Child”, ensuring that social and emotional stability acts as the launchpad for cognitive and physical exploration. We follow the child’s lead, turning their natural interests into deep learning experiences.

Position Summary: The GSRP Associate Teacher is responsible for working as a team member in providing a quality educational program for preschool children by supporting the classroom teacher in planning, assessing, instructing learners, and managing the classroom. The position includes assisting the classroom teacher in maintaining required records to ensure grant compliance and meet licensing guidelines. This is a full-time position, 8 hours a day, 8:00am-4:00pm. This program runs for 35 - 37 weeks, late August - early June. There are options to work in the summer and during the KRESA scheduled school year breaks.

Required Qualifications Associate’s degree (AA) in early childhood education or child development or the equivalent; or a valid Center-based Preschool CDA credential. You are able to obtain this over a one year period.

Preferred Qualifications:

-Experience working with preschool children

-Experience with GSRP

-Familiarity with Creative Curriculum and TS Gold

-Familiarity with CLASS Assessment

-Ability to be self-directed and take initiative when given a variety of tasks and responsibilities

-Familiarity with Active Supervision

-Certification in CPR and First Aid (if not certified we have classes).

-Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with learners, parents, and co-workers

-Ability to work well with diverse families

-Outgoing, caring personality

Responsibilities:

• Work as a team member in providing a quality educational preschool program
• Assist in planning, implementing, and monitoring curriculum and assessment
• Assist in establishing parent involvement activities. Able to work flexible hours as needed for family involvement activities, including home visits, conferences, open houses, and recruitment events
• Assist in home visits
• Assist in all daily operations of the program
• Work with individual and small groups of learners
• Support children’s emotional and social development, encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts
• Work collaboratively and communicate with the classroom teacher to implement lesson plans, activities, classroom tasks, and anecdotal notes
• Assist teacher with monitoring behavior and supporting the educational process
• Observe learners’ performance and record relevant data to assess progress
• Collect and document data regarding the learner(s)
• Maintain and complete learner records
• Provide a welcoming and supportive climate to establish and reinforce acceptable child behavior, attitudes, and social skills
• Create an effective and stimulating work environment for learning that meets the standards outlined in the CLASS Assessment
• Implement and maintain standards set forth by the “Great Start to Quality” (GSQ) initiative
• Know and follow all State of Michigan licensing guidelines
• Conduct and evaluate Early Childhood Screener (Ages and Stages) twice a year
• Participate in staff and team meetings
• Assist learners with personal hygiene practices
• Participate in daily debriefs with Lead Teacher
• Spend significant time outdoors with children during all seasons, interacting, and guiding them at their physical level. Apply developmentally appropriate practices to all interactions with children, including reflective listening, modeling social/emotional norms, and promoting self-regulation
• Observe and record children’s learning using notes, assessments, portfolios, and documentation that illustrates physical, social/emotional, linguistic, and cognitive development. Share professional observations with families with learning stories
• Participate in training and ongoing professional development
• Set personal and professional goals, seeking opportunities to develop skills in focus areas
• Perform other duties as assigned

-Rate of pay is based on level of education and experience in the field of early childhood

-Please send resumes to:

Leanne Gambee - Executive Director

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Paid time off

Work Location: In person

Salary : $32,888 - $44,951