GELC Teacher's Assistant

Puyallup Tribe of Indians • Tacoma, WA

23h • Onsite

About The Position

Assists in the care and early education of children (birth to age 5) and school age children at the Grandview Child Care Center. Creates and maintains a safe, healthy, and culturally appropriate learning environment for young children.

Requirements

• Must meet the following requirements:
• HS Diploma/GED and 6 months experience working with groups of young children required;
• Must complete basic STARS training within one year of hire;
• Must complete all three steps of the WA state stackable certificates (47 credits) within three years of hire and meet all milestone requirements during required timeframes.
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
• Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Must have and maintain a Food handler’s permit.
• Within two weeks of employment, must provide proof of CPR and first aid training, and TB testing. Must have and maintain a valid Washington State driver’s license and proof of auto insurance. Driver’s license must not contain any restrictions that would otherwise prevent an employee from operating a GIS vehicle.
• Must attend and complete all GELC mandatory trainings.
• Must complete and pass a drug and alcohol screening upon hire and throughout employment. Must be in good health and current with immunizations.
• Must have warm, welcoming, and friendly personality, be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others, be respectful of all cultures, and be able to relate positively to both young children and adults. Ability to discipline in a kind and respectful manner.
• Model exemplary professionalism and work ethics. Warmly greets visitors to the Center; maintains a professional demeanor at all times.
• Maintain strict confidentiality about issues regarding all staff members, children and families, or GELC management or Center operations. Never involve parents in Center concerns.
• Do not participate in gossip.
• Report to work on time for assigned shift(s) and maintain consistent daily attendance at work.
• Arrange and communicate all leave requests in advance per policy.
• Assume a fair-share of work and demonstrate a willingness to assume additional classroom and Center responsibilities as needed.
• Establish positive, respectful and professional relationships with co-workers, supervisors, management, children, parents, and others.
• Demonstrate flexibility and respect for individual differences; including learning styles, cultural differences, point of views and individual preferences. Avoid stereotyping and labeling.
• Demonstrate adaptability and openness to new ideas in child care practices. Actively and positively works to implement changes.
• Actively and cooperatively participates in Center’s planning meetings, events and training sessions.
• Demonstrates flexibility with work schedules and assignments as needed to meet the needs of the Center.
• Models conflict resolution by communicating directly with individuals involved and collaborating in good-faith to develop solutions.
• Continues professional growth by attending courses, workshops and reading professional literature.
• Receives constructive criticism with an attitude that indicates a willingness to improve. Asks for feedback and gives feedback in a respectful manner.
• Conducts self in a manner that is not detrimental to the children or the reputation of the Center or the Tribe.
• Demonstrates an ability to remain calm and follow the Center’s Emergency Care Plan in the event of an emergency.
• Demonstrates good judgment and acts responsibly and attentively to avoid any injury or endangerment to anyone at the Center.
• Follows State and Federal guidelines with regard to immunizations, required safety and health training, CPR/First Aid certification, Food Handler’s certification (if required), or any other guidelines identified by the Tribe.
• Refrain from being under the influence of any legal or illegal substance that may impair judgment, alertness or responsiveness.

Responsibilities

• Assists in planning and implementing the daily program in all group and outdoor activities.
• Greets arriving and departing parents, children and co-workers with a smile and positive attitude.
• Encourages parents to record daily arrival and departure times for all children enrolled at the Center.
• Assists in planning and preparing the learning environment, setting up interest centers and preparing materials and supplies emphasizing cultural learning activities.
• Supervises and provides assistance in the bathrooms.
• Treats children with dignity and respect and maintains the Positive Discipline Policy of the Center.
• Oversees all meal-time activities of the children to encourage and foster the use of good table manners.
• Assumes and initiates an equal share of the joint housekeeping activities to maintain a clean environment center-wide.
• Assists lead classroom teacher.
• Maintains professional attitudes and loyalty to the Center at all times.
• Attends Staff Meetings, workshops, conferences, courses, all in-service training and other aspects of professional growth when recommended by the Center Manager.
• Utilizes Center materials and teaching supplies constructively and resourcefully.
• Considers individual children in relationship to their cultural and socio- economic background and developmental level.
• Keeps information about families confidential.
• Must be actively taking Puyallup Language classes from the Puyallup Tribal Language Department.
• Attends special trainings that help serve the special needs of children at GELC including but not limited to orientations and trainings on meeting the special needs of children with autism, trauma affected children, etc.
• Maintain a positive and warm classroom environment.
• Abide at all times to the GELC policies and procedures.
• Teachers follow the recommendations and trainings of the Tribe’s language and culture program, making materials available for children and including lessons and activities in daily plans.
• Assist with the outdoor classroom lessons and activities, to create and implement educational experiences in the child’s natural environment.
• Follow recommendations of a Support Plan, and implementation of support strategies.
• Teachers will treat each child with individual needs, special needs or diagnose undiagnosed disabilities with dignity and respect at all times.
• Teacher will attend necessary training or educational courses to enhance their ability to provide quality child care, meet the individual child’s needs, offer intervention strategies and the classroom supports necessary for all children’s developmental needs from birth to twelve. It is the goal of GELC to support Tribal children to learn and be cared for in a Tribal cultural practice, including language. The person in this position is required to take Puyallup language and culture classes as scheduled throughout the year.
• Responsible for housekeeping duties.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The Puyallup Tribe of Indians provides a generous benefits package that includes employer paid medical, dental, vision, life insurance, a retirement/401(k) plan with profit sharing, paid holidays, and paid time off including birthday leave.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED