2025 - Teacher Assistant located at West Ottawa Public Schools

Ready for School: Our mission is to increase access to early educational experiences through integrated community support, so all children enter kindergarten ready to learn and reach their full potential. 

Ready for School’s vision is to create communities of readiness where all children thrive and reach their full unique potential. Our passion is early learning and collaborating with community partners to develop best practices that prepare children and families for success in school and in life. The Kindergarten Readiness Camp summer experience is intended to be a partnership between Ready for School, our partner school districts, and parents. We realize that there is strength when we work together for the betterment of children and families.

Kindergarten Readiness Camp Teacher Assistant

Status: Temporary Employment 

Site: West Ottawa Public Schools, Great Lakes Elementary

Dates: June 16th - July 25th (No camp the week of 4th of July)

Compensation and Hours: $16 per hour, not to exceed 138 hours without prior approval

Term: Kindergarten Readiness Camp is Monday through Friday (closed the week of 4th of July).  Teacher Assistant hours are approximately 7:45am until 12:45 pm daily, which includes time to set up, clean up, and debrief after camp sessions. In addition to instructional hours spent during Kindergarten Readiness Camp, some hours will be spent in the following ways:

• Staff orientation and training (evening in May)
• Help deliver and return curriculum bins to and from your site
• Set up site classrooms 
• Summer Kick-Off Event/ Open House
• Help gather and organize  student data for progress notes given to Ready for School and parents
• Complete the kindergarten readiness camp report/staff survey

Job Description: The teacher assistant is an integral team member, positioned to meet a child’s  needs as they arise throughout the camp day. Flexibility is key in this role, given the lead teacher may need to shift lessons with little warning. They will support classroom management, sometimes being assigned to a specific student or particular group or students who require an extra measure of attention. The teacher assistant will support material preparations and activity clean up, including during meal times. They will lead both large and small group activities, per the direction of the lead teacher. The teacher assistant will help in welcoming students upon arrival and sending them off on the bus or with their caregiver at the end of the day.  Ready for School strives  to maintain a warm school environment that promotes optimal learning.  The  teacher assistant plays an important role in our Kindergarten Readiness Camp Community.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the Lead Teacher in creating a classroom culture that encourages group thought, curiosity, and discovery
• Help foster a positive, safe, and creative learning environment
• Follow the data driven Ready for School curriculum, while tailoring instruction to meet the unique needs that surface both within your classroom as a whole and individual students 
• Support Ready for School’s parent engagement process and home learning kits
• Lead meaningful small and possibly large group activities, with intentional effort to celebrate nature and play-based learning
• Attend scheduled meetings and events outside the regular camp hours
• Support the Lead Teacher in collecting and maintaining data on your students’ progress
• Communicate with students, parents, and staff in ways that are clear, concise, and kind
• Support the Lead Teacher’s efforts to personalize weekly newsletters to parents
• Report to the Site Lead and follows the daily plans of the Lead Teacher
• Report any injury to your site lead/ teacher  in order to follow building  protocol
• If big behaviors occur, collaborate with site lead and lead teacher to positively  address individual needs

Education and Experience:

• Experience working with diverse early childhood students
• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• CDA (preferred)
• Spanish fluency (preferred)

Qualifications:

• Supportive of Ready for School’s mission
• Passion for young learners
• Dedication to working collaboratively with fellow educators and families 
• Enjoy being outside and helping children explore the world around them

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and commitment to students and their families

• Interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with families from a variety of backgrounds
• Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate special events
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Teaching experience 

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of MIRegistry Health and Safety Courses

All candidates must pass a criminal background check and fulfill other licensing  regulations required to work  with young children, such as CPR certification and online trainings. Teacher Assistants are expected to work the duration of the summer program.

Salary : $16