GELC - Lead Teacher

Open: June 29, 2026

Close: When filled

Job Title: Lead Teacher

Department: GELC

Reports To: Co-Director

Hours: 40 Hrs/Wk – Full Time

Salary: Based on Salary Matrix+Benefits   

Requisition: 801          

 *Salaries are market competitive. For accurate salary information, call (253)573-7863 or email jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov. 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.

Position Summary:

Plans and executes an early care education program in accordance with the center's educational goals and philosophy to positively guide children's behavior and development and to create a safe, healthy, and culturally appropriate learning environment for young children. Creates and plans developmentally appropriate learning experiences in the areas of cognitive, gross and fine motor, social and self-help, emotional, and communication skills. 

Staff deals with a vulnerable population. Many of the children come from at risk families. Many show symptoms with associated with various systematic and pre-existing symptoms.

Staff will receive specialized training with handling and care for these children with early indications.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Helps to integrate Puyallup Tribal Language and Culture into all facets of child care.
2. Develops advance weekly lesson plans, and coordinates annual curriculum for the group. Themes and subjects must include integrating and incorporating Puyallup Tribal Language and Puyallup Tribal/Pacific NW culture, language arts mathematics, reading and writing readiness, science, social studies, large and fine motor development, and food and nutrition education.
3. Learns more about, considers, and integrates, individual children in relationships to their cultural and socio-economic background and developmental level into childcare
4. Treats children with dignity and respect and maintains the Positive Discipline Policy of the Center.
5. Supervises and implements methods for effectively utilizing the services of other teaching staff and volunteers.
6. Attends Staff Meetings and presents a team report.
7. Assists in the on-going evaluation procedures needed to assess the development levels of the children.
8. Assists in public relations/fund raising events sponsored by the Center. Attends workshops, conferences, courses, all in-service training and other aspects of professional growth when recommended by the Manager or Program Coordinator.
9. Interfaces with contracted specialists including, but not limited to the Birth to Six program.  
10. Plans and prepares the learning environment, setting up interest centers, materials, and supplies, and does so with consideration of developing Tribal culture and language.
11. Oversees all meal time activities of the children to encourage and foster the use of good table manners.
12. Assumes and initiates an equal share of the joint housekeeping activities to maintain a clean environment center-wide.
13. Maintains professional attitudes and loyalty to the Center at all times.
14. Keeps information about families confidential.
15. It is the goal of GELC to support Tribal children to learn and be cared for in a Tribal cultural practices, including language. The person in this position is required to take Puyallup language and culture classes as scheduled throughout the year.
16. 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.
17. Abide at all times to GELC policies and procedures.
18. Serve as a role model for children and staff to create a positive work team, and develop and cultivate positive child, parent, peer and vendor relationships. Support a culture of enthusiasm, teamwork and superior service among all staff, peers, and vendors.

1.  Maintain a positive and warm classroom environment.
2.  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.
3.  Teachers use the outdoor classroom to create and implement educational lessons and activities in the child’s natural environment.
4.  Teachers will work with Administrators and/or Specialists to address behavioral and developmental concerns with the families and to develop and implement a Support Plan. 
5.  Teachers will treat each child with individual needs, special needs or diagnose / undiagnosed disabilities with dignity and respect at all times.

1. 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.  
2. Performs housekeeping duties.
3. Performs other duties as assigned. 

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications and Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Must have one of these combinations of education and experience working with groups of young children in a formal childcare environment:

• Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and two years experience in a Teacher capacity;
• Satisfactory related degree from an accredited college or university and two years experience in a Teacher capacity; must be willing to obtain Early Childhood Education State credentialed Certificate within 3 years of hire.

Employees are encouraged to pursue their BA in Early Childhood.

Must be able to pass state background check clearance to work in a child day care center.

Note: Part-time work is prorated in crediting experience (e.g., if you work 20 hours per week for a 12-month period you will be credited with 6 months of experience).

Other Requirements

• Commitment to working with children in a developmental setting and a sincere desire to have a meaningful effect on their lives.
• Good communication, problem solving, and priority setting skills as well as maintaining an overall positive and professional attitude/disposition.
• Assures a healthy, safe, clean and developmentally appropriate environment for children.
• Ability to make decisions on behalf of children and protect their well-being.
• All employees, regardless of position, serve as role models for children and adolescents who are served by our agency. Therefore, each employee must at all times be emotionally stable and able to function effectively with children, adolescents and adults who may have mental or behavioral health problems.  The staff must be able to demonstrate appropriate daily behavior, appropriate expression of emotions, as well as appropriate role modeling. 
• 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.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports and developmentally appropriate lesson plans. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills

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.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Licenses or Certificates

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.

Performance Expectations

• 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.
• Ability to work cooperatively and positively with others.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. 
• The employee frequently is required to taste or smell. 
• The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance. 
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
• The physical exertion is moderate.
• Constant contact with small children.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions.
• Work is performed in a classroom setting.

The Puyallup Tribe of Indians reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Indian Preference Employer as Required by Law

Online Application Tips:

1.         If you are using a PC, use Chrome. If you are using a MAC, use Safari.

2.         Upload additional documents (resume, cover letter, letters of recommendation, proof of Indian blood, etc.) to the resume tab as one (1) PDF file or email documents to jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov and we can add them to your online application. Please send in copies of any degrees or certificates that you have been awarded.

3.         Indian Hiring Preference – send in the appropriate documentation for the category you select. If you have any questions about the hiring preference policy or what document to send in, email us at jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov or call (253) 573-7863.

4.         Provide 3+ references (we cannot obtain references from direct family members – mother, father, grandparents, sisters, brothers, or children and this includes in laws). One reference must be your most recent supervisor. We prefer the rest of your references to include co-workers, subordinates, or other supervisors, but we can accept a personal reference from someone who is familiar with your work ethic, habits, and attendance. You can send in letters of recommendation to jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov

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*Please do not wear perfumes, colognes, or strong scents to your interview. Some employees are allergic.

If you have any questions about the positions or the online application, please call (253) 573-7863

or email jobs@puyalluptribe-nsn.gov.

3009 E. Portland Ave., Tacoma, WA 98404