GELC Lead Teacher

Open: April 15 2026Close: April 29 2026Job Title: Lead TeacherDepartment: GELC Reports To: Co-DirectorHours: 40 Hrs/Wk Full TimeSalary: Based on Salary MatrixBenefits Requisition: 801 *Salaries are market competitive. For accurate salary information call or email 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 Summary:Plans and executes an early care education program in accordance with the centers educational goals and philosophy to positively guide childrens 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 will receive specialized training with handling and care for these children with early Duties and ResponsibilitiesHelps to integrate Puyallup Tribal Language and Culture into all facets of child 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 more about considers and integrates individual children in relationships to their cultural and socio-economic background and developmental level into childcareTreats children with dignity and respect and maintains the Positive Discipline Policy of the and implements methods for effectively utilizing the services of other teaching staff and Staff Meetings and presents a team in the on-going evaluation procedures needed to assess the development levels of the 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 with contracted specialists including but not limited to the Birth to Six program. Plans and prepares the learning environment setting up interest centers materials and supplies and does so with consideration of developing Tribal culture and all meal time activities of the children to encourage and foster the use of good table and initiates an equal share of the joint housekeeping activities to maintain a clean environment professional attitudes and loyalty to the Center at all information about families 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 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 at all times to GELC policies and 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 a positive and warm classroom follow the recommendations and trainings of the Tribes language and culture program making materials available for children and including lessons and activities in daily plans. Teachers use the outdoor classroom to create and implement educational lessons and activities in the childs natural will work with Administrators and/or Specialists to address behavioral and developmental concerns with the families and to develop and implement a Support Plan. Teachers will treat each child with individual needs special needs or diagnose / undiagnosed disabilities with dignity and respect at all will attend necessary training or educational courses to enhance their ability to provide quality child care meet the individual childs needs offer intervention strategies and the classroom supports necessary for all childrens developmental needs from birth to twelve. Performs housekeeping duties. Performs other duties as ResponsibilitiesThis position has no supervisory and RequirementsTo 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 and/or ExperienceMust 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 are encouraged to pursue their BA in Early be able to pass state background check clearance to work in a child day care : 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 RequirementsCommitment to working with children in a developmental setting and a sincere desire to have a meaningful effect on their communication problem solving and priority setting skills as well as maintaining an overall positive and professional attitude/ a healthy safe clean and developmentally appropriate environment for to make decisions on behalf of children and protect their 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 SkillsAbility 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 SkillsAbility to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10s and 100s. Ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement volume and AbilityAbility 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 or CertificatesMust have and maintain a Food handlers two weeks of employment must provide proof of CPR and first aid training and TB have and maintain a valid Washington State drivers license and proof of auto insurance. Drivers license must not contain any restrictions that would otherwise prevent an employee from operating a GIS attend and complete all GELC mandatory complete and pass a drug and alcohol screening upon hire and throughout be in good health and current with Expectations Model exemplary professionalism and work ethics. Warmly greets visitors to the Center; maintains a professional demeanor at all strict confidentiality about issues regarding all staff members children and families or GELC management or Center operations. Never involve parents in Center not participate in to work on time for assigned shift(s) and maintain consistent daily attendance at and communicate all leave requests in advance per a fair-share of work and demonstrate a willingness to assume additional classroom and Center responsibilities as positive respectful and professional relationships with co-workers supervisors management children parents and flexibility and respect for individual differences; including learning styles cultural differences point of views and individual preferences. Avoid stereotyping and adaptability and openness to new ideas in child care practices. Actively and positively works to implement and cooperatively participates in Centers planning meetings events and training flexibility with work schedules and assignments as needed to meet the needs of the conflict resolution by communicating directly with individuals involved and collaborating in good-faith to develop professional growth by attending courses workshops and reading professional constructive criticism with an attitude that indicates a willingness to improve. Asks for feedback and gives feedback in a respectful self in a manner that is not detrimental to the children or the reputation of the Center or the an ability to remain calm and follow the Centers 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 State and Federal guidelines with regard to immunizations required safety and health training CPR/First Aid certification Food Handlers certification (if required) or any other guidelines identified by the from being under the influence of any legal or illegal substance that may impair judgment alertness or to work cooperatively and positively with DemandsThe 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 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 EnvironmentThe 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 noise level in the work environment is usually physical exertion is moderate. Constant contact with small performing the duties of this job the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather is performed in a classroom 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 Preference Employer as Required by LawOnline 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 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 or call .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 To add more employment education references etc. click on the small sign at the top right corner of the page.6. When entering salaries only use numbers. Do not use any other characters (such as . or $)7. After you submit your application you will receive an email confirmation. If you do not receive an email please call the office to confirm submission.*Please do not wear perfumes colognes or strong scents to your interview. Some employees are you have any questions about the positions or the online application please call or email E. Portland Ave. Tacoma WA 98404