Lead Teacher and Program Coordinator

Introduction

Ch’anik’na is a child enrichment facility provided by Seldovia Village Tribe (SVT) offering a diverse play and learning experience. We strive to integrate the past with the present and help the children in our care become their very best.

Ch’anik’na (pronounced cha-NEEK-nuh) is a Dena’ina word for children’s house. The word, unique to our area, was specially chosen to represent our dedication to exploring and enriching all of our children’s various cultures, Alaskan and worldwide, and exploring the surroundings and cultural environment of the Seldovia community.

Our guidelines for children are:

“We care by using kind words and listening ears, share, trade, and take turns.”

“We are safe by using walking feet, inside voices, and following directions.”

Position Overview

The Childcare Teacher serves as a primary leader in the Ch’anik’na Program, by providing quality care and education to infants, toddlers, and preschool aged children with the goal of increasing social competence, school readiness, and knowledge and pride in traditional Alaska Native culture and heritage.  This position requires a person to ensure a healthy, safe environment while supervising simultaneous activities.

Schedule

35 hours per week generally worked as 7-hour work days Monday through Friday. 

Variances occasionally for coverage, opening/closing duties, and/or meetings with parents or admin time.  Admin time is provided as 6-7 hours per week, which may be scheduled flexibly to best meet the needs of the classroom.  There may be needs for increased admin time annually in preparation for enrollment packets and parent meetings.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides the primary leadership role for planning and implementation of age and culturally appropriate activities, custodial care, and supervision of children.
• Utilizes a variety of appropriate industry approved strategies to meet educational and developmental goals and the physical, emotional, social, cultural, cognitive and language needs of enrolled children.
• Utilizes appropriate discipline and guidance techniques such as redirection, acknowledgment of appropriate behavior and setting acceptable limits.
• Provides a healthy, safe and secure learning environment through the use of consistent limits, appropriate guidance techniques, and the development of an atmosphere of respect for children and adults.
• Identify high-risk situations and actively support families through discussions with parents/guardians, modeling behavior to promote protective factors, or providing referrals to services.
• Provides guidance and support to Teacher Aides to ensure adherence to quality standards, deadlines, and proper procedures.
• Participates in active supervision strategies of positioning oneself to observe all children; watching, counting, and listening at all times, and using one’s knowledge of each child's development and abilities to anticipate their actions and gets involved to give appropriate redirection when necessary.
• Maintains classroom in accordance with applicable guidance for health and safety.
• Identifies the educational needs of children through observation and develops individualized education plans (IEP’s) as required.
• Ensures appropriate documentation of program operations for reporting purposes
• Uses computers and computer programs effectively to enter data, create lesson plans and process information, and to develop documents, and program materials.
• Establishes partnerships with parents that are respectful, culturally sensitive, and nonjudgmental.
• Conducts parent-teacher conferences with parents and ensures families’ strengths and needs are addressed.
• Pursue professional development plan including formal trainings as recommended by SVT.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications/Employment Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must pass background check including fingerprints prior to starting work
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen and agree to all Drug Free Workplace policies as a condition of employment
• At minimum - An Associate’s degree in a field related to early childhood education and coursework equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education with prior experience working with 0-5 age group in a daycare or preschool type setting
• Teachers not holding a degree in Early Childhood Education must hold a current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential AND agree to complete a degree program according to a prescribed timeline.
• TB screening at hire (at SVT’s expense)
• ADEC Food Worker Card (May be obtained at hire at SVT’s expense)
• Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED (May be obtained at hire at SVT’s expense)
• Mandatory Reporter Training annually
• Ability to maintain open, friendly, and cooperative relationships with families, to encourage program involvement, and to promote parent-child bonding and nurturing parent-child relationships.
• Ability to promote feelings of security and trust in infants/toddlers and preschoolers by being warm, supportive, and comforting, and by establishing strong and caring relationships with them.
• Ability to provide children with experiences and opportunities that allow them to develop curiosity, initiative, problem-solving skills, and creativity, as well as a sense of self and a feeling of belonging.
• Ability to conduct informal developmental screenings of infants/ toddlers and preschoolers motor, language, social, cognitive, perceptual, and emotional skills.
• Reliability with respect to time and days available to work, as well as flexibility with work tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to perform individual and group learning activities.
• Monitor and assist in positive strategies to prevent aggressive behavior and to deescalate volatile situations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Alaska Early Childhood Administrator Credential (AK-ECAC)
• A valid and unrestricted Alaska Driver’s License is STRONGLY preferred.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to regularly grasp, type, see, talk, hear, and lift and carry 40 pounds of weight by utilizing proper lifting techniques and working in a safe manner.
• This position will also be performing physical activities such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, bending, and handling materials.
• Occasionally performs sedentary activities that require sitting for long periods and repetitive use of hands, wrists and arms for handling, positioning, moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Must be in good general health and free from serious physical, mental health and/or substance misuse.

Travel Requirements

None except for occasional preplanned conferences or educational opportunities

Work Environment

Seldovia Village Tribe is a drug-free, alcohol-free, and tobacco-free work environment.  The environment is a classroom and general office environment.  An individual in this position may be exposed to communicable diseases or hazards common to a childcare setting.  Work environment may be noisy.  Some work outdoors where exposure to natural elements including but not limited to sunlight, rain, wind, and insects may take place.