ECU Early Childhood Teacher

Cherokee Nation • Tahlequah, OK

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The ECU Early Childhood Teacher develops and maintains classroom records and guidelines and helps maintain classroom quality under the supervision of the Lead Teacher, Site Supervisor, or Center Operations Specialist. The teacher helps provide a stimulating learning environment for infants and toddlers or Head Start children ages three to five, and performs the Lead Teacher’s responsibilities when the Lead Teacher is absent. The role ensures compliance with state licensing guidelines and performance standards.

The teacher supports children’s development through lesson planning, assessments, individualized plans, family engagement, and classroom care. The position includes working with children with disabilities or developmental delays, maintaining confidential and up-to-date records, and following procedures for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect.

Requirements

• High school education or GED.
• At least six months of experience in a related field.
• For centers providing a bus route, a valid driver's license and a driving history that meets Cherokee Nation underwriting requirements, verified through a motor vehicle report.
• Meet and maintain pre-employment and periodic background investigation and adjudication requirements for child care.
• Must not be under sanction by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General or the General Services Administration, or listed on the specified exclusion or sanction lists.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary caregiver for four infants or toddlers in group care, for Early Head Start only.
• Work as a team member with other faculty and volunteers.
• Develop lesson plans and ensure plans and guidelines are followed in accordance with applicable requirements.
• Assist with performance standards, program assessments, local written plans, and other program-operation standards.
• Coordinate with faculty on lesson plans, IEPs, IFSPs, ILPs, home visits, parent meetings, classroom maintenance, and student enrollment.
• Conduct at least two home visits and two parent-teacher conferences each year.
• Work with children with disabilities or developmental delays, including assisting with toileting and changing diapers or pull-ups.
• Manage assigned children’s assessments, weekly lesson plans, and objectives; enter information into the Teaching Strategies Gold database.
• Encourage parental involvement and maintain positive parent-teacher relationships.
• Communicate with parents and staff in writing and verbally.
• Interact with children in age-appropriate ways and facilitate positive interactions using positive disciplinary techniques.
• Avoid physical punishment, mistreatment, or child abuse, and report suspected child abuse or neglect according to ECU policies and procedures.
• Clean, organize, and sanitize the classroom daily according to the approved schedule and guidelines.
• Strive to maintain 85% center attendance and report noncompliance, absences, or tardiness according to procedure.
• Maintain 100% center enrollment by replacing children who leave with another enrollee within 30 days.
• Complete classroom and center documentation and keep records and forms current within required time frames.
• Keep child and family files up to date and confidential.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED