Substitute Teacher Assistant

Spokane Tribe•Wellpinit, WA

9h•Onsite

About The Position

The Spokane Tribe of Indians Head Start Program is designed to promote the school readiness of low-income children by enhancing their cognitive, social and emotional development—in a learning environment that supports children’s growth in language, literacy, mathematics, science, social and emotional functioning, creative arts, physical skills, and approaches to learning; and through the provision to low-income children and their families of health, educational, nutritional, social, and other services that are determined, based on family needs assessments, to be necessary. The Substitute Head Start Teacher Assistant reports to the Director and receives direction from the Lead Classroom Teacher. The Substitute Teacher Assistant is responsible for assisting the Head Start Lead Teacher in the daily operation of the classroom and program while contributing to the classroom team in a positive and productive manner with reliability, patience and consistency.

Requirements

Ability to work cooperatively as part of the Head Start team to provide comprehensive and professional services in the best interest of children and families and the Head Start community.
Willingness to participate in the process to document, report and record daily observations as required by the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework and Head Start Performance Standards.
Positive Attitude, patience, friendliness and professional appearance.
Active contribution to the classroom with resourcefulness, organization, effective time management and cooperation.
Model appropriate behaviors and responses to challenging situations.
Proven ability to provide effective and nurturing teacher-child interactions
Demonstrate ability to relate well to and coordinate with the population served, especially low-income Spokane Indian Reservation population.
Successful clearance of Criminal History and Background inquiry with no findings of child abuse and neglect.
Able to adhere to a strict confidentiality policy.
Must contribute to the Head Start team in a positive and productive manner with reliability, patience and consistency.
Ability to lift and maneuver small children on an ongoing basis and the necessary physical dexterity to work with small children 30-50 lbs on average (bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, lifting, etc.)
Possess a basic understanding of the scope of the Head Start effort—to include familiarity with Head Start Performance Standards.
Understanding of Early childhood Developmental Stages and appropriate preschool practices
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to relate well to, and coordinate with the population served, especially low-income Spokane Indian Reservation population.
Possess skills adequate to serve children with disabilities.
Maintain a high degree of professionalism in the workplace, including appearance, communication and teamwork.
Work well with others.
Ability to demonstrate kindness, patience and understanding even in stressful situations
GED or High School Diploma
TB test and immunization record
Tribal Preference Applies - Tribal Preference grants preference in employment to qualified enrolled Spokane Tribal Citizens, Spouses of Spokane Tribal Citizens, First Line Descendants of Spokane Tribal Citizens, and Citizens of other Tribes and Other Applicants, in that order.
FBI Background – Positions involving regular contact with, or control over, Indian Children in accordance with the Federal Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act, Public Law 101-630

Nice To Haves

First Aid, CPR and Blood Borne Pathogen certification, Food Handlers Permit, and Mandated Reporter Training to be obtained during probation period.
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or a state-awarded certificate that meets or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential, are enrolled in a program that will lead to an associate or baccalaureate degree or, are willing to enroll in a CDA credential program to be completed within two years of the time of hire.

Responsibilities

Assist in planning, coordinating and implementing the Education Plan.
Perform job duties with the highest level of confidentiality, ensuring safety of all children, family and staff records and information in accordance with Tribal Policy.
Assist the Lead Teacher in implementing a curriculum that promotes children’s cognitive development and language skills, social and emotional development and physical development.
Help children learn to get along with others and encourage feelings of empathy and mutual respect among children and adults.
Willingness to attend to the basic needs of the children—to include hygiene, diapering, and feeding
Encourage parental involvement in the education program in the classroom and at home.
Maintain sanitation and safety practices throughout the program that ensure a safe environment.
Assist other staff in the coordination of transition services and other activities.
Assist in supporting Head Start Teaching staff concerning issues of classroom environments, behavior management and inclusion of children with special needs. This includes, but is not limited to providing one on one attention, written reports, record keeping and tracking of data.
Comply with applicable laws, policies and procedures (State, Federal and Tribal).
Report cases of child abuse and neglect by serving as a mandated reporter.
Participate in the effort to recruit and enroll children and families in Head Start.
Take pride in the appearance of the Head Start facility and help to maintain the necessary daily upkeep—to include, assisting with the daily sanitizing/cleaning of the Head Start building.