Position Summary:

The Zagbëgon Academy Assistant Teacher supports Lead Teachers in creating a nurturing, empowering environment for young children and their families. Through meaningful relationships and collaborative guidance, the Assistant Teacher helps ensure each child has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.

Essential Functions:

• Demonstrates knowledge of child development, early childhood education, and special education
• Demonstrates ability to develop effective, nurturing relationships with children, families, staff, and community.
• Demonstrates an understanding and ability to execute developmentally appropriate practice in the classroom.
• Exhibits well developed observation techniques and assessment strategies.
• Possesses ability to communicate well, both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrates professionalism and ethical decision making in working with others.
• Possesses ability to read and comprehend instructions, memos, email, etc
• Assists with introducing and reinforcing PBOPI Language and Culture through implementation of lesson plans and materials
• Integrates the Potawatomi language into daily activities and interactions
• Participates in all language training sessions
• Supports the Interweaving PBOPI language and Tribal knowledge and understandings into curriculum and lessons
• PBOPI culture, customs, resources and traditions and/or a willingness to learn
• Assists with Ke Gbéshmen Summer Camp, as needed
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level as requested by supervisor or director

Non-Essential Functions:

• Teaching strategies to work with diverse learners
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations

A core goal of the Zagbëgon program is to integrate the Potawatomi language into every aspect of the daily classroom experience. Lead Teachers and Assistant Teachers are encouraged to learn and actively use the language throughout the day with students. As an incentive, staff who demonstrate growth in their Potawatomi language knowledge and usage will be eligible for incremental wage increases tied to their proficiency and application of the language.

Equipment:

• Standard office equipment
• Systems used: MS Office Applications

Position Requirements:

• Possesses or actively pursuing an Associate Degree in Early Childhood or Child Development Associate (CDA) or degree in related field
• Experience working with tribal communities preferred
• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License

Indian Preference

• Pokagon Band Preference Code applies.

Physical Requirements:

• Positions in this class typically require finger dexterity, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. Incumbent may be subjected to stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, climbing, and balancing.

Work environment:

• Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Competencies:

• Teamwork
• Self-Awareness
• Fostering Communication
• Adaptability
• Client Focus