A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

The University of Michigan Towsley Children's House has an opening for an Associate Teachers in our forest preschool classroom.  

As an associate teacher in our forest program, you will facilitate children's wonder and learning in Nichols Arboretum 4-5 mornings a week in all weather, year round through observation and reflection.  After spending the morning in the Arb, the class walks back to our center to have lunch followed by rest time.  They continue their exploration and play outside on site at our center until the end of the day.  Our forest preschool classroom spends most of their day outside so children can develop a personal relationship with nature.  Through this relationship, children learn about the natural world and become stewards of nature.

Towsley Children's House is one of three early childhood programs on the U-M Ann Arbor campus providing care for children from 3 months to 5 years of age. Our centers provide care for close to 500 children of faculty, staff and students from all over the world. The centers employ over 120 staff members, as well as undergraduate student assistants. The play-based, project approach curriculum at Towsley is designed by teaching teams to adapt to meet the needs and interests of the children. Each classroom's teaching team includes two teachers; an associate teacher along with U-M practicum students. We maintain low teacher to child ratios so relationships can flourish. Additional information about the U-M Children's Centers can be found at www.childcare.umich.edu

We are looking for professional teachers who are excited about working with children, families and coworkers from diverse backgrounds, cultures and abilities. We are looking for teachers who are eager to grow in their profession, and who can contribute their creativity and experiences in a collaborative manner. Professional development opportunities are provided regularly. Tuition assistance for furthering formal eductaion in early childhood education is available pending funding. Staff report directly to the center Director.

Benefits at the University of Michigan 

The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future.  Some benefits are:  

• Generous time off 
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance, dental and vision plans

University Human Resources seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Michigan, to sustain the excellence of the university, and to offer our students richly varied disciplines, perspectives, and ways of knowing and learning. 

• Plan and facilitate immersive outdoor preschool class.  This includes maintaining a safe, loving environment with safety routines that protect yet empower children. 
• Nurture individual needs of children while managing whole group experiences and unstructured play. 
• Collaborate with children, families, and colleagues to cultivate an environment of respectful and meaningful relationships.
• Utilize technology to effectively document and reflect on the experiences of children for assessment, planning, and family engagement.

• Experience working with preschool aged children in a group setting.
• Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Ability to implement nature centered, project approach investigations in the classroom and in forest spaces around campus. 

Other requirements include: 

• Ability to move, hold and position oneself when interacting with children and objects up to 40 lbs.
• Must be able to interact and move around with children in such a way as to fully participate in classroom activities.
• Ability to supervise and interact with children outdoors for extended periods of varied weather conditions.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

U-M COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters when eligible, are required for all University of Michigan students, faculty and staff across all campuses, including Michigan Medicine.  This includes those working remotely.   More information on this new policy is available on the Campus Blueprint website or the UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint websites.