Teacher (Vaya Chin)

The position is located in Vaya Chin, AZ.

Position Summary:

Under limited supervision, provide early childhood education to enrolled children in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth and development. Maintain a safe and healthy learning environment.

The work is normally reviewed upon completion to ensure compliance with general organization/department goals, policies and procedures. Major work activities are covered by procedures or guidelines permitting flexibility in selecting methods to utilize and procedures to follow, determination of work priorities, and the planning and coordination of projects.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops written daily, weekly, and monthly lesson plans that will develop each child's physical, intellectual, and social behavior; plans activities to stimulate growth in language, social and motor skills.


• Provides stimulation activities and experiences in all curriculum areas; avoids activities causing over-stimulation or fatigue.


• Provides and supervises a variety of experiences by means of dramatic play, storytelling, field trips and group discussion to stimulate students' interest in and broaden understanding of their physical and social environment.


• Encourages children to communicate in O'odham and English languages; encourages children to take pride in their cultural heritage.


• Provides resources for special needs referrals such as speech, hearing, and behavior modification.


• Encourages children to develop their independence by training them in assigning responsibilities to individuals and challenging each child with increasingly difficult tasks.


• Accompanies and/or transports children to field trips or activities.


• Instructs children in practices of personal cleanliness and self-care.


• Fosters cooperative social behavior; promotes self-expression and appreciation of esthetic experiences.


• Ensures the cleanliness and safety of materials, classroom and playgrounds by performing routine inspections.


• Maintains effective working relationships with parents by providing opportunities for parent participation.


• Observes and records each individual child's progress and growth for planning future lessons and sharing information with parents; meets regularly with parents.


• Establishes classroom rules and routines that are understood and accepted by children and their parents.


• Assumes responsibilities of Center Coordinator as needed.


• Maintains professional knowledge by attending meetings, conferences and educational workshops.


• Performs other job related duties as assigned and contributes to a team effort.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of O'odham traditions, language, history and culture.


• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, tribal laws, regulations and requirements.


• Knowledge of early childhood development, diet and nutrition guidelines.


• Skill in analyzing problems, projecting consequences, identifying solutions, and implementing recommendations.


• Skill in operating various word-processing programs and other office equipment.


• Skill in directing the activities of groups of children; evaluating progress, and maintaining an orderly classroom.


• Skill in writing lesson plans and using curriculum guides.


• Skill in providing superior customer service to external and internal customers.


• Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively both verbally and in writing.


• Ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.


• Ability to maintain privileged confidential information.


• Ability to work independently and meet strict time lines.


• Ability to travel throughout the internal and external boundaries of the Nation.


• Ability to work extended hours and various work schedules.

Minimum Qualifications:

At least an Associate's degree in Early Childhood or any relevant degree and three (3) years work experience working with children in a group or educational setting; OR

Bachelor's Degree (Preferred) in Early Childhood or Child Development and one (1) year work experience working with children in a group or educational setting.

Licenses, Certifications, Special Requirements:

• Certified as a Child Development Associate (CDA).


• Must obtain certifications in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and First Aid within the first six months of hire.


• Must satisfy health requirements as defined by the federal program standards


• Upon recommendation for hire, a criminal background and National FBI check is required to determine suitability for hire, including a 39-month Motor Vehicle Record.


• May require possessing and maintaining a valid driver's license, (no DUIs or major traffic citations within the last three years).


• If required, must meet the Tohono O'odham Nation tribal employer's insurance requirements to receive a driver's permit to operate program vehicles.


• Based on the department's needs, incumbents may be required to demonstrate fluency in both the Tohono O'odham Language and English as a condition of employment.