Lead Teacher and Program Coordinator

Seldovia Village Tribe IRA•Seldovia, AK

6d•$45,000 - $55,000•Onsite

About The Position

Ch’anik’na is a child enrichment facility provided by Seldovia Village Tribe (SVT) offering a diverse play and learning experience. We strive to integrate the past with the present and help the children in our care become their very best. Ch’anik’na (pronounced cha-NEEK-nuh) is a Dena’ina word for children’s house. The word, unique to our area, was specially chosen to represent our dedication to exploring and enriching all of our children’s various cultures, Alaskan and worldwide, and exploring the surroundings and cultural environment of the Seldovia community. Our guidelines for children are: “We care by using kind words and listening ears, share, trade, and take turns.” “We are safe by using walking feet, inside voices, and following directions.” The Childcare Teacher serves as a primary leader in the Ch’anik’na Program, by providing quality care and education to infants, toddlers, and preschool aged children with the goal of increasing social competence, school readiness, and knowledge and pride in traditional Alaska Native culture and heritage. This position requires a person to ensure a healthy, safe environment while supervising simultaneous activities.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age
Must pass background check including fingerprints prior to starting work
Must pass a pre-employment drug screen and agree to all Drug Free Workplace policies as a condition of employment
At minimum - An Associate’s degree in a field related to early childhood education and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education with prior experience working with 0-5 age group in a daycare or preschool type setting
Teachers not holding a degree in Early Childhood Education must hold a current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential AND agree to complete a degree program according to a prescribed timeline.
TB screening at hire (at SVT’s expense)
ADEC Food Worker Card (May be obtained at hire at SVT’s expense)
Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED (May be obtained at hire at SVT’s expense)
Mandatory Reporter Training annually
Ability to maintain open, friendly, and cooperative relationships with families, to encourage program involvement, and to promote parent-child bonding and nurturing parent-child relationships.
Ability to promote feelings of security and trust in infants/toddlers and preschoolers by being warm, supportive, and comforting, and by establishing strong and caring relationships with them.
Ability to provide children with experiences and opportunities that allow them to develop curiosity, initiative, problem-solving skills, and creativity, as well as a sense of self and a feeling of belonging.
Ability to conduct informal developmental screenings of infants/ toddlers and preschoolers motor, language, social, cognitive, perceptual, and emotional skills.
Reliability with respect to time and days available to work, as well as flexibility with work tasks.
Demonstrated ability to perform individual and group learning activities.
Monitor and assist in positive strategies to prevent aggressive behavior and to deescalate volatile situations.

Nice To Haves

Alaska Early Childhood Administrator Credential (AK-ECAC)
A valid and unrestricted Alaska Driver’s License is STRONGLY preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides the primary leadership role for planning and implementation of age and culturally appropriate activities, custodial care, and supervision of children.
Utilizes a variety of appropriate industry approved strategies to meet educational and developmental goals and the physical, emotional, social, cultural, cognitive and language needs of enrolled children.
Utilizes appropriate discipline and guidance techniques such as redirection, acknowledgment of appropriate behavior and setting acceptable limits.
Provides a healthy, safe and secure learning environment through the use of consistent limits, appropriate guidance techniques, and the development of an atmosphere of respect for children and adults.
Identify high-risk situations and actively support families through discussions with parents/guardians, modeling behavior to promote protective factors, or providing referrals to services.
Provides guidance and support to Teacher Aides to ensure adherence to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures.
Participates in active supervision strategies of positioning oneself to observe all children; watching, counting, and listening at all times, and using one’s knowledge of each child's development and abilities to anticipate their actions and gets involved to give appropriate redirection when necessary.
Maintains classroom in accordance with applicable guidance for health and safety.
Identifies the educational needs of children through observation and develops individualized education plans (IEP’s) as required.
Ensures appropriate documentation of program operations for reporting purposes
Uses computers and computer programs effectively to enter data, create lesson plans and process information, and to develop documents, and program materials.
Establishes partnerships with parents that are respectful, culturally sensitive, and nonjudgmental.
Conducts parent-teacher conferences with parents and ensures families’ strengths and needs are addressed.
Pursue professional development plan including formal trainings as recommended by SVT.
Other duties as assigned.