GELC Teacher's Assistant

Puyallup Tribe of Indians•Tacoma, WA

About The Position

The Teacher’s Assistant supports the care and early education of children from birth to age five, as well as school-age children, at the Grandview Child Care Center (GELC). The position helps maintain a safe, healthy, warm, and culturally appropriate learning environment, with a focus on Tribal culture and Puyallup language. The assistant supports classroom and outdoor learning, children’s individual and developmental needs, positive discipline, and Center operations. The role is full-time at 40 hours per week and reports to the Director. It has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least six months of experience working with groups of young children.
Must actively take Puyallup language classes through the Puyallup Tribal Language Department and take required language and culture classes as scheduled.
Complete basic STARS training within one year of hire.
Complete all three steps of Washington State stackable certificates (47 credits) within three years of hire and meet milestone requirements within required timeframes.
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos; write simple correspondence; and present information effectively in one-on-one and small-group situations.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic, including adding and subtracting two-digit numbers and multiplying and dividing with 10s and 100s, including use of American money and units of weight, volume, and distance.
Ability to apply common-sense understanding to detailed but straightforward written or oral instructions and solve problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
Obtain and maintain a food handler’s permit.
Provide proof of CPR and first aid training and TB testing within two weeks of employment.
Maintain a valid Washington State driver’s license and proof of auto insurance; the license must allow operation of a GIS vehicle.
Attend and complete all GELC mandatory trainings.
Pass drug and alcohol screening upon hire and throughout employment.
Be in good health and current with immunizations.
Have a warm, welcoming, and friendly personality; be sensitive to others’ feelings and needs; respect all cultures; and relate positively to young children and adults.
Ability to discipline children in a kind and respectful manner.
Meet the role’s physical demands, including regularly lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds and regularly standing, walking, reaching, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling.

Responsibilities

Assist with planning and implementing daily classroom and outdoor activities.
Greet children, parents, and co-workers positively and encourage parents to record children’s arrival and departure times.
Help prepare the learning environment, interest centers, materials, supplies, and cultural learning activities.
Supervise and assist children in bathrooms and during meals, encouraging good table manners.
Treat children with dignity and respect and follow the Center’s Positive Discipline Policy.
Share housekeeping duties and maintain a clean Center and a positive, warm classroom environment.
Assist the lead classroom teacher and use Center materials and teaching supplies constructively.
Consider each child’s cultural and socioeconomic background and developmental level; follow support plans and implement support strategies.
Keep information about families confidential and maintain professional conduct and loyalty to the Center.
Take Puyallup language and culture classes as scheduled, and follow recommendations and training from the Tribe’s language and culture program in daily plans and classroom materials.
Attend mandatory trainings, staff meetings, workshops, conferences, courses, and other professional development, including training related to children with special needs.
Support children’s individual, special, and developmental needs, including by attending appropriate training and applying intervention strategies and classroom supports.
Assist with outdoor classroom lessons and activities that provide educational experiences in children’s natural environment.
Follow GELC policies and procedures and State and Federal health and safety guidelines; remain calm and follow the Emergency Care Plan in an emergency.
Perform other duties as assigned.