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Matrix Human Services

Nonprofit social services supporting families

Teacher Hs

Full-TimeUpdated on 10/23/2026
No salary listed
Mid
Bachelor's, Associate's
Detroit, MI, USA
In Person
EducationEarly Childhood Education

About the job

Requirements
  • An Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Child Development or Early Childhood Education, or equivalent coursework.
  • Two years of experience working with preschool-aged children is preferred.
  • Demonstrate emotional maturity, cooperation with the program’s aims, respect for children and adults, flexibility, patience, good personal hygiene, and physical and mental health that does not interfere with responsibilities.
  • Work independently and provide guidance and direction to team members.
  • Knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and Michigan Childcare Licensing Regulations.
  • Ability to work effectively in a culturally diverse, collaborative, team-based environment.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
  • Reliable transportation is required.
  • Willingness to take a leadership role in the classroom.
  • Ability to meet the physical demands of the job, including lifting up to 45 pounds and sitting, standing, walking, squatting, kneeling, climbing, and bending for periods of time.
  • Ability to work with possible exposure to blood, bodily fluids or tissues, and communicable diseases.
Responsibilities
  • Provide a safe, nurturing learning environment for children and their parents.
  • Develop and implement individual educational plans that support children’s social, intellectual, physical, and emotional development and school readiness.
  • Work collaboratively with the Assistant Teacher and volunteers, and actively supervise all children.
  • Supervise and monitor children at all times and respond appropriately to crises or emergencies.
  • Establish a positive classroom climate and guide children’s behavior in positive, effective ways.
  • Follow a consistent schedule that includes small- and large-group experiences, work time, music and movement, large- and small-motor activities, skill development, meals, and transitions.
  • Encourage experimentation, exploration, problem-solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice-making; ask open-ended and follow-up questions to promote thinking skills.
  • Use outdoor time as an extension of the classroom and ensure the playground is safe.
  • Release children only to individuals with appropriate signed consent.
  • Plan and implement learning experiences across developmental areas, including literacy, phonemic, print, numeric, and language awareness, including English as a second language when applicable.
  • Cooperate with staff and classroom groups to maintain smooth center operations and adapt to children’s needs.
  • Eat with children and help them develop social, self-help, and sound nutritional practices.
  • Sanitize classroom equipment and toys regularly as required by policy, and complete daily health and safety classroom checklists.
  • Support families as the first and primary teachers of their children.
  • Conduct required parent-teacher conferences and home visits for assessment and support, and share classroom and educational strategies for use at school and at home.
  • Adapt lesson plans to meet goals in each child’s individual learning plan (ILP), individualized education plan (IEP), and individualized family service plan (IFSP).
  • Monitor and report suspected child abuse.
  • Assist with inventory of equipment and supplies.
  • Ensure developmental screenings are completed within 45 days of enrollment.
  • Use observation, ongoing assessment, and tracking to support positive child outcomes; maintain anecdotal notes monitoring each child’s development.
  • Enter COR notes into the database system within program timelines.
  • Safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of information.
  • Complete relevant activity documentation and submit records and reports accurately and on time.
  • Participate in grantee-sponsored, center pre-service and in-service, continuing education, career, and professional development opportunities; review regulations and other resources to stay current.
  • Meet preschool children’s physical needs, including diapering and potty training.
  • Fill in where needed and perform other duties as assigned.
  • Use data to help achieve program goals, apply strategies that promote a culture of learning, and identify and address gaps for continuous program improvement.
  • Adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics and incorporate continuous quality improvement into everyday performance.
  • Adhere to federal Head Start regulations and requirements, including Program Performance Standards, licensing regulations, and the NAEYC Code of Conduct.
  • Demonstrate and actively promote understanding of and commitment to Matrix Human Services’ mission and values.
Desired Qualifications
  • Two years of experience working with preschool-aged children.

About the company

Matrix Human Services is a Detroit nonprofit that provides a range of social services to support families and individuals of all ages. Its programs address basic needs, education, crisis intervention, and prevention to defuse crises and promote self-sufficiency, delivered through cost-efficient services with distinct program identities. It differentiates itself by serving as a stable community pillar with scalable operations and a portfolio of specialized programs that aim for long-term outcomes. Its goal is to help families and individuals achieve self-sufficiency while preventing abuse, neglect, and crime, and to model effective service delivery for other organizations.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Detroit, Michigan

Founded

N/A

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • GM's $400,000 grant funded Skills to Build in July 2025.
  • SME honored Matrix with a 2026 Workforce Development Innovations Award after strong outcomes.
  • Henry Ford Health's May 19, 2026 $150,000 community investment included Matrix support.

What critics are saying

  • Heavy grant dependence exposes Matrix to donor pullbacks and government contract volatility.
  • Leadership continuity remains fragile after Brad Coulter succession planning and recent COO/VP reshuffles.
  • If EV training loses employer demand, Matrix's newest growth engine becomes a stranded program.

What makes Matrix Human Services unique

  • Detroit-rooted nonprofit with 117-year history and broad poverty-to-self-sufficiency services.
  • Matrix runs Head Start, housing stability, workforce development, and senior wellness programs.
  • GM and SME validation in 2025-2026 positions Matrix inside Detroit EV talent pipelines.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Disability Insurance
  • Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
  • Paid Holidays

Company News

Crain Communications
Feb 19th, 2025
GM to fund EV, clean energy job training pilot at nonprofit

General Motors Co. has made a $400,000 grant to Detroit-based Matrix Human Services to fund a pilot workforce development program focused on jobs in the clean energy and electric vehicle industries.

dBusiness
Oct 11th, 2023
Matrix Human Services Appoints Starr Allen-Pettway Chief Operating Officer

Matrix Human Services appointed Starr Allen-Pettway as its chief operating officer (COO).

Corpmagazine
May 24th, 2023
Matrix Human Services announces Vice President, Director of Development and Marketing | Corp! Magazine

Matrix Human Services President and Chief Executive Officer Brad Coulter announced the appointments of Monique Phillips as Vice President of Development & Marketing and Monique Riley as Director of Marketing, in addition to several others who will support the organization’s leadership team efforts.