Teaching assistant jobs in Meridian, MI

Department: Lower School FLSA: Exempt Schedule: Full-time / academic year Reports to: Head of Lower School Schedule: Full time Designation: Teaching Faculty Travel: Rare With the recent unification of a local pre-K-5 independent school, Greenhills plans to open its doors in the fall of 2026 to a lower school campus with the eventual capacity of 150-180 students, bringing the total Greenhills School enrollment to 850-900. Greenhills seeks dynamic, experienced, passionate, and nurturing educators to join the lower school faculty. Most importantly, Greenhills seeks fellow builders: extraordinary teachers with the capacity and professional experience to help found a lower school that prepares students for entry into our strong and robust 6th grade program on the middle and upper school campus. POSITION SUMMARY The Lower School Lead Teacher oversees the daily operations of a self-contained general education classroom of approximately 15 students, ensuring a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment for young students across grades PreK to 5th. This role includes teaching research-informed core curriculum in reading, writing, mathematics and social studies, fostering strong relationships with families and colleagues, and maintaining compliance with licensing and accreditation standards. The teacher is responsible for supporting each child's social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth while ensuring consistent supervision and high-quality care. Depending on the grade level assignment, lead teachers will mentor and assign responsibilities to full or part-time associate teachers who support small group instruction. As we launch a newly formed elementary school program, there is a one time expectation for Lead Teachers to attend an extended set of curricular training, team-building and onboarding days, beginning as early as the first week of August 2026. After this founding year, summer professional development for the faculty at Greenhills School is typically limited to one week prior to the start of classes. Greenhills School is eager to consider applications from a diverse mix of talented people who want to join us as student centered educators and role models who bring joy and good humor to our classrooms, fields, and offices, employ a broad array of effective instructional methods, work collaboratively with colleagues, seek and respond to student feedback, and commit to reflective practice and continual growth. We pride ourselves on being a warm and welcoming inclusive community. Requirements DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Attend founding teacher onboarding and curricular training beginning the first week of August 2026. Collaborate with divisional colleagues on pedagogy and curriculum in reading, writing, mathematics and social studies, vertically align content to provide students with a meaningful scope and sequence throughout their PreK-5th grade lower school experience. Design an environment that responds to children's individual developmental levels; physical, social, and emotional needs; as well as current interests. Instruction should reflect observations and assessments of individual children and small groups of children. Provide a variety of developmentally appropriate materials and activities that foster academic and social skills and encourage children to think, problem solve, question, and experiment. Reflect on instructional practices and seek out opportunities for professional development. Create inclusive and effective classroom environments and provide learning support for students inside the classroom as needed, including implementing formal accommodations, in consultation with the Greenhills Learning Center. Demonstrate respect for diversity by providing anti-bias, non-sexist language, images, and experiences that reflect community. Practice clear, timely and professional communication with students, parents and colleagues. Create documentation of children's learning and development through quarterly assessments and written narrative comments. Attend regular faculty meetings and occasional all-school events that occur on weeknights or weekends. Mentor and assign responsibilities to an associate teacher. Maintain classroom budget. SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED Undergraduate degree in education (or a related field) required, graduate work in those disciplines desired. Five (5) or more years teaching experience at the early childhood or elementary level. The ideal candidate will have substantial expertise in the field and will be: a student-centered educator, skilled in fostering persistent problem solving, eager to work collaboratively with colleagues on curriculum design, pedagogy, and assessments, knowledgeable about children's intellectual, social, and emotional development and willing to positively greet the challenges and opportunities they present, a professional oral and written communicator. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Ensure children's safety while performing the following job functions: Frequently lift, move, or hold children in the range of 10 to 40 pounds. Occasionally lift, move, or hold weight more than 40 pounds. Supervise and interact daily with children outdoors for extended periods in varied weather conditions. Demonstrate full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit, and otherwise fully participate in activities. Respond immediately and appropriately to multiple or unexpected situations or emergencies. Repetitive motion, use of keyboard. Greenhills School property is a tobacco-free environment Follow state, federal, and Greenhills School guidelines including immunizations, employment physical, and required health and safety training. Fingerprinting Requirement: Because this position involves regular contact with students, all employees are required to undergo fingerprinting and a comprehensive background check as a condition of employment. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of this process. HOW TO APPLY A cover letter, resume, and the names of three references (including two supervisory) should be included with your application via this portal Greenhills Employment Portal. In your cover letter, please indicate a range of grade level preferences from PreK to 5th grade. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Compensation: Salary is competitive, commensurate with experience and education level, and includes lunch when school is in session. Greenhills provides a comprehensive benefit package, which includes a variety of health insurance offerings, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability offerings, HSA/FSA options, and retirement benefits through TIAA. The essential functions and basic skills have been included. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This position description is subject to change at any time. Applicants must be able to work in the United States without a visa sponsorship. Greenhills School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.