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 all aspects of the program. In conjunction with Primary Teachers, the Teacher Assistant partners with Content Specialists and community resources to address the needs and concerns of enrolled children and families. The position supports developmentally appropriate curriculum and learning experiences, supervises and engages children during activities, maintains a welcoming, clean, and safe classroom, and completes required documentation. The Teacher Assistant helps implement identified health, social service, and disability needs under staff guidance, communicates respectfully with parents, maintains confidentiality, reports suspected child abuse and neglect as required by law, and participates in required professional development, including when the childcare center is closed. Employment is subject to applicable drug, TB, and physical testing and background investigations. The Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma operates a drug-free workplace and provides equal employment opportunity; individuals of Indian ancestry receive preference where required by law.

Requirements

Experience working with children in a group setting.
Willingness to work educationally toward a Child Development Associate (CDA).
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 tablet use, keyboarding, computer literacy, and familiarity with word processing, email, and the internet.
Ability to obtain CPR/First Aid/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 through sitting, kneeling, stooping, and bending for most of the day.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally; work requirements also describe lifting or carrying up to 50 pounds daily.
Ability to communicate information and ideas verbally and in writing so others understand.
Ability to organize and prioritize.
Valid driver’s license and insurance.
Obtain CPR/First Aid/AED certification within six months of employment.
Submit to and pass applicable drug testing, TB testing, and a physical.
Pass background investigations for suitability of character under the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act and Child Care and Development Fund requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with mixed-age groups is preferred.

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 exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice-making.
Maintain the classroom’s appearance, cleanliness, and safety 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, help implement identified health, social service, and disability needs for children and families.
Communicate with parents in a friendly and effective manner, greet them by name, and address 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 self.
Report suspected child abuse and neglect in accordance with state, tribal, and federal laws.
Participate in required program professional development, including days when the childcare center is closed and childcare is not provided.
Perform other duties as assigned.