Teacher Assistant

Summary of Responsibilities:

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. Partner with classroom teacher to ensure information is shared regarding all the needs and/or concerns for child/families enrolled are effectively communicated.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Has the overall responsibility for assuring the planning, supervision and implementation of all classroom experiences, including supervision of children and appropriate staff and volunteers.
• Establish a Creative Curriculum learning environment using child directed play.
• Maintain a safe and healthy indoor/outdoor learning environment.
• Create a mentally healthy environment for children to be engaged learners.
• Partner with classroom teacher to develop a collaborative approach that benefits all children in the classroom.
• Reporting any suspected Child Abuse and Neglect in accordance with State, Tribal and Federal laws.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding all information regarding families, co-workers and self in accordance with the Early Childhood departmental confidentiality policy.

Education and Experience:

• Minimum educational requirement of High School Diploma and a CDA, Associates degree in early childhood education preferred.
• Experience working with children in a group setting, experience with Early Head Start and mixed age groups preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of culturally diverse populations and their needs.
• Keyboarding skills, computer literacy and familiarity with various applications such a database, 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
• Daily kneeling, stooping, bending, and sitting on the floor to attend the children’s needs.
• Occasional lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to apply Early Childhood Development theory in daily classroom activities, and adapt to the individual needs of children.
• Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with families.

Certifications:

• Valid Driver’s License and Insurance.
• CPR/First Aid/AED certification within 6 months of employment.

Conditions of Employment:

The Iowa Tribe 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.