Part Time Teacher Assistant

Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma•Miami, OK

About The Position

The Teacher Assistant provides a successful, safe, and supervised educational setting for children in the Early Childhood environment, including the classroom, outdoor play areas, and field trips. The role promotes enrolled children’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development and encourages parent involvement. In conjunction with Primary Teachers, the assistant partners with Content Specialists and community resources to help address the needs and concerns of children and families. The position supports developmentally appropriate learning experiences, supervises and engages children during activities, maintains a clean and safe classroom, completes required documentation, communicates with parents, and helps implement identified health, social service, and disability needs. The assistant must maintain confidentiality, report suspected child abuse or neglect as required by law, and participate in required professional development, including on days when the childcare center is closed.

Requirements

Experience working with children in a group setting.
Proof of high school graduation, GED, or higher.
Knowledge of culturally diverse populations and their needs.
Willingness to learn about child development and apply that knowledge in daily activities, adapting to individual children’s needs.
Basic technology skills, including use of a tablet, keyboarding, computer literacy, and familiarity with word processing, email, and the internet.
Ability to obtain CPR, First Aid, and AED certification and a Food Handler’s Card.
Ability to respond appropriately, mentally and physically, to an emergency or crisis situation.
Ability to interact with children at their eye level, including sitting, kneeling, stooping, and bending for most of the day.
Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
Ability to communicate information and ideas verbally and in writing so others can understand.
Ability to organize and prioritize.
Valid driver’s license and insurance.
Obtain CPR, First Aid, and AED certification within six months of employment.
Submit to and pass applicable drug, TB, and physical tests.
Pass background investigations for suitability of character under the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act and Child Care and Development Fund regulations.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with mixed-age groups.

Responsibilities

Provide a welcoming and friendly classroom environment for children, parents, and visitors, including maintaining an updated educational and informative parent board.
Work with Primary Teachers to prepare the classroom environment and materials for developmentally appropriate curriculum plans and learning experiences.
Engage with and supervise children during activities, encouraging experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice-making.
Maintain the appearance, cleanliness, and safety of the classroom in accordance with program, state, and federal guidelines.
Complete and submit required daily, weekly, and monthly documentation.
Under the guidance of the Primary Teacher, Site Supervisor, and Program Specialists, support implementation of identified health, social service, and disability needs for classroom children and families.
Communicate with parents in a friendly and effective manner, including greeting them by name and addressing concerns respectfully and promptly.
Identify classroom or center opportunities and problems and resolve them in cooperation with appropriate program staff.
Maintain confidentiality regarding families, coworkers, and personal information.
Report suspected child abuse and neglect in accordance with state, tribal, and federal laws.
Participate in all required professional development, including days when the childcare center is closed and childcare is not provided.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Director.