YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids
Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Salary
$17 - $19 / HOUR
The Associate Teacher assists the Lead Teacher in developing and implementing daily lesson plans and classroom activities. They are responsible for actively engaging with children, maintaining supervision, and managing parent communication.
Candidates must hold a degree in Early Childhood Education or a CDA credential. Applicants should have six months to one year of childcare experience and the ability to work with infants, toddlers, and preschool children.
Description Now hiring for the 2026/2027 school year!
The Great Start Readiness Program Associate Teacher will assist in the planning, developing, and implementing of preschool classroom activities for programs. This position requires face-to-face leadership in this program requires Monday - Friday availability, 8 AM to 4 PM.
PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES Assists Lead Teacher in developing and leading daily lesson plans Actively engages with children in the classroom Assists with daily parent communication Prepares materials for daily activity Maintains records of attendance, arrival, and departure times Maintains supervision of children Assists Lead Teacher with parent-teacher conferences as needed Efficiently communicates with classroom teaching team Performs any other functions necessary for the smooth and efficient operation of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids Association
COMPENSATION $18.14 - $20.15 ; Full-time, Non-Exempt (40 hours/week)
Degree in Early Childhood Education or CDA required. 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 infants, toddlers, and preschool children. Working knowledge of computers and experience with a variety of software applications.
CERTIFICATIONS 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 WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
0 - 5% of local travel within the state of Michigan; occasional out-of-state travel may be required for educational conferences or training.
Market context
In Michigan, classroom teacher openings often reflect steady demand for educators who can cover multiple sites and schedules, especially when programs run in schools, parks, and other community settings. These roles can be competitive because employers look for candidates who can travel, work morning, early afternoon, and weekend shifts, and adapt quickly to different classrooms. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm your availability and travel radius before applying.
Salary benchmark
$41,961 avg / yr
Typical range: $29,120–$41,200 based on 300 active listings in Michigan
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