About Our Academy

Wonder what it would be like to go snowshoeing through a maple forest? Or what it may be like to grow your own food in a greenhouse? Students at West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science (WMAES) don't wonder what they know! Come be a part of our 62-acres of an outdoor classroom to expand your child’s love of learning. Working gardens, nature trails, forests, wetlands and prairies are all available for students to explore. WMAES students transition from desks to dirt, creating an environment for all students to learn. WMAES knows that teachers are the heart of the school and are surrounded by a support system that is committed to the success of every child.

Qualities of a Successful Candidate:

• A comfortability in an outdoor setting and a knack for creativity and innovation, incorporating hands-on activities, experiential learning, and interactive teaching methods to make environmental/outdoor learning engaging and impactful.
• An unwavering belief that all children regardless of their background can learn and exceed at high levels.
• A strong desire to achieve outstanding results in the pursuit of excellence for students. 
• Strong interpersonal skills, fostering positive relationships with children, parents and other staff members. They should be able to work collaboratively, promoting a harmonious learning environment.

About the role

To provide exceptional educational leadership and create a nurturing and inspiring learning environment for students. The GSRP lead teacher is committed to developing and implementing engaging and developmentally-appropriate lesson plans that promote early literacy, numeracy, and social skills. Through positive reinforcement and individualized attention, they foster a love for learning and encourage each child's unique abilities and interests. They collaborate with assistant teachers and support staff to ensure a cohesive and enriching experience for every child. Additionally, they actively engage with parents and caregivers, establishing strong partnerships to promote children's development.

What you'll do

Curriculum & Instruction:

• Accepts responsibility for the achievement of students. 
• Guides the learning process toward achievement of curriculum goals and implementation of personal learning plans of students. 
• Develops lesson plans collaboratively with the GSRP Associate Teacher/Instructional Aide and implements the team teaching model as stated in the GSRP grant manual. 
• Demonstrates understanding and implementation of the Preschool Program Quality Assessment (“PQA”) and the teaching practices described therein. 
• Demonstrates understanding and implementation of MDE’s Early Childhood Standards of Quality for Prekindergarten. 
• Demonstrates understanding and implementation of the BCHS Child Care Licensing Rules. 
• Demonstrates effective planning and organization for instruction. 
• Selects appropriate materials for implementation of the curriculum and adapts materials and methods to the learning styles and abilities of students. 
• Follows the Academy-approved GSRP curriculum and the GSRP grant policies and procedures as the instructional model. 
• Uses creative instructional methods and procedures and adapts effectively to unusual situations. 
• Motivates students to achieve at their highest level of ability and potential through classroom activities, assignments, relationships, participation and feedback; holds high expectations and demonstrates sensitivity to different learning styles. 
• Uses resources effectively to support learning activities in the classroom, the Academy and the community. 
• Demonstrates exceptional classroom techniques, which include the art of questioning, clarity of assignments, communicating, an atmosphere of mutual respect, independent thought and expression and student and teacher experiences in large and small groups. 
• Effectively implements and uses the Academy approved screening assessment tool and ongoing developmental assessment and is able to explain and interpret the information for parents. 
• Effectively uses home visits to introduce the program and staff to the parent, develop collaboration for the child’s learning, and gather, or report, assessment data. 

Classroom Management:

• Works cooperatively with guardians and generates guardians’ confidence. 
• Demonstrates genuine concern for students in a climate characterized by high personal and student expectations. 
• Promotes responsible citizenship through one’s actions as a role model. 
• Provides a classroom atmosphere based on the principles of firm, fair and consistent practices, respect for individual children and the development of responsible citizenship. 

Student Enrollment & Retention:

• Shares responsibility for marketing the GSRP Program, and the Academy, in the community. 

Professional Development & Leadership:

• Participates in the development of policies and regulations that affect instruction and the conditions of success. 
• Uses technology effectively for instruction, record keeping, communication and other administrative tasks. 
• Shares responsibility for professional, cooperative staff relations and for out-of-class activities important to the operation of the Academy. 
• Conducts himself or herself according to professional and ethical principles. 
• Continually strives to improve classroom methods, teaching techniques and interpersonal relationships. 
• Displays personal qualities, which reflect favorably upon the individual, the group and the Academy. 
• Displays pride in being a teacher and a member of the Academy. 
• May serve in the role of licensing “Program Director” for the GSRP classroom, as assigned. 
• Assumes other responsibilities assigned by the Principal. 

Facilities:

• Assumes responsibility for the orderliness of the learning environment and the appropriate and safe use of instructional facilities and equipment. 
• Assumes responsibility for adherence to and monitoring of all licensing regulations and for educating others on regulations. 

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements: 

• A valid Michigan teaching certificate and an Early Childhood Education (ZA) or Early Childhood-General and Special Education (ZS) endorsement, ZN Early Childhood General and Special Education (Birth-Kindergarten), ZO Lower Elementary Education (PK-3)
• A bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development with a specialization in preschool teaching. The transcript will document a major, rather than a minor, in child development or early childhood education OR A bachelor's degree in elementary teaching with a valid preschool CDA. (Birth – Prek CDA not accepted.)
• Except as otherwise provided by law, the Academy shall use certificated teachers according to state board rule. 
• Shall possess a valid State of Michigan Teaching Certificate with ZA endorsement, or an Early Childhood-General and ZS endorsement. 
• Compliance with all requirements established by DLARA’s BCHS. 

Desired Qualifications: 

• Knowledge of and skills working with students from all backgrounds. 
• Demonstrated competence as a teacher in all areas of focus. 
• Ability to use technology as an instructional tool in the classroom, as a means of analyzing academic achievement data and as a tool to aid effective communications. 
• Excellent verbal and written expression using proper grammar and vocabulary. 
• Exemplary work habits verified by previous employers. 
• Strong interpersonal skills. 

About Choice Schools Associates

West Michigan Academy of Environmental Science (WMAES) is part of the Choice Schools Community. As a comprehensive education service provider, Choice Schools offers a student-centered approach to tailored school operations support. Much like a superintendent's office, Choice Schools provides invaluable assistance in various crucial areas, including instruction, professional development, curriculum, human resources, finance, compliance, communications, and enrollment. By being a part of the Choice Schools Environmental Model, WMAES is a vibrant community of learning, comprised of multiple other outstanding environmental schools within the state. The Environmental Model will provide you with the support and collaboration of a large district while serving at a tight-knit community school in your area.