Teacher Assistant

Description Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma Job Description Equal Employment Opportunity Statement The Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability status in employment. Individuals of Indian ancestry a will be given preference by law in initial employment or re-employment.

Position Purpose: Provide a successful, safe, and supervised educational setting for children while that are in the Early Childhood environment (classroom, outdoor play areas, and field trips). Promote the social, emotional, physical, and cogitative development of enrolled children. Encourage parent involvement in all aspects of the program.

In conjunction with Primary Teachers, partner with Content Specialists and Community resources to ensure all needs and/or concerns for child/families enrolled are being addressed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide a welcoming and friendly classroom environment for all children, parents, and visitors, including a regularly updated educational and informative parent board.
• Work with Primary Teachers to prepare the classroom environment and materials to support developmentally appropriate curriculum plans and learning experiences.
• Engage with and supervise children during all activities, encouraging experimentation, exploration, problem solving, cooperation, socialization, and choice-making.
• Ensure that the appearance, cleanliness, and the safety of the classroom environment are appropriately maintained, following all program, state, and federal guidelines.
• Complete and submit all required daily, weekly, and monthly documentation.
• Under the guidance of the Primary teacher, Site Supervisor, and Program Specialists, ensure the implementation of identified health, social service and disability needs for all classroom children and families.
• Communicate with parents in a friendly and effective manner, including greeting them by name, addressing concerns in a respectful and timely manner.
• Identify opportunities and/or problems in the classroom and the center and resolve them in cooperation with appropriate program staff.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding information regarding families, coworkers, and self.
• Reporting any suspected Child Abuse and Neglect in accordance with State, Tribal and Federal laws
• Participate in all program required professional development, including days when the program’s childcare center is closed and childcare is not provided through the program. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Experience working with children in a group setting, experience with mixed age groups preferred.
• Willingness to educationally work on a Child Development Associate (CDA). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Knowledge of culturally diverse populations and their needs.
• Willingness to learn about children’s development and apply that knowledge in daily activities and adapt to the individual needs of children.
• Basic understanding of technology, including the use of a tablet, keyboarding skills, computer literacy and familiarity with various applications such as word processing, email, and internet.
• Ability to obtain CPR/First Aid/AED certification and Food Handler’s Card.
• Ability to respond appropriately (both mentally and physically) to an emergency or a crisis Situation.
• Ability to interact with children at their eye level (sitting, kneeling, stooping, bending) for the majority of the day.
• Occasional lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas verbally and in writing, in a way that others will understand.
• Must be able to organize and prioritize. Certifications:
• Valid Driver’s License and Insurance.
• CPR/First Aid/AED certification within 6 months of employment. Conditions of Employment: The Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma operates a drug-free workplace.
• Must submit to and pass applicable drug test, TB test, and Physical.
• Must pass background investigations for suitability of character identified in accordance with the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act, and Child Care and Development Fund, 45 C.F.R. § 98.43(a)(2). Work Requirements: Position involves prolonged sitting, standing, stooping, or bending, lifting, or carrying up to 50 pounds on a daily basis. Work is generally performed in an office environment with varying levels of lighting, air quality, noise, and / or temperature.