Early Childhood Program Specialist

Position: Early Childhood Program Specialist 2

Who We Are

(TWO OPENINGS)

Located in the scenic Puget Sound area with nearby mountain ranges and Mount Rainier in the distance, Tacoma is surrounded by outdoor recreational opportunities such as hiking, boating and camping. Tacoma, Washington has been ranked as one of the most livable cities in the country, due to the increasing career opportunities, cultural diversity and community engagement, just to name a few.

Tacoma Community College (TCC) was built on the ancestral territory of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Puyallup and Squaxin Island Tribes. The 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty forcibly removed them to Reservations to make way for colonizers; we recognize the privilege of utilizing this land has come at a great cost. We honor the resilience of the Puyallup and Squaxin Island people, who still live here, defend their rights, and contribute greatly to the well-being of our community.

Our institution aims to increase partnerships and community ties with the local indigenous populations. Moreover, TCC stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the Black community by further strengthening collaboration with the Black Student Union as well as community entities such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, the Tacoma Urban League, and local black-owned businesses. In addition, we strongly support the Stop Asian Hate movement and have an active Asian Pacific Islander Student Club as well as an Asian and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Coalition.

TCC is committed to developing more culturally responsive curricula by infusing and incorporating more educational content focused on the lives, experiences, and contributions of Native, Black, Asian, and other marginalized communities. We continually strive to become an anti-racist institution.

We are specifically focusing on improved support for traditionally marginalized populations, including Black/African
- American, Indigenous, People of Color, Dreamers, justice-involved, immigrants and refugees, Veterans, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. To this end, TCC seeks applicants who:

• Value intellectual curiosity and innovative teaching
• Welcome difference and model respectful interaction with others
• Recognize and honor the important role that diversity brings to an educational community
• Are committed to educating a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population
• Are committed to teaching in a community college setting
• Care deeply about student success
• Intentionally support and promote efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Honor TCC's mission promoting equitable access to educational opportunities
• Reflect the diversity of our community

Position Summary:
This position interacts with parents, practicum students, volunteers, and team members to guide the educational activities of young children enrolled in the College's Early Learning Center. This position of Assistant Teacher in an ECEAP Classroom works directly with the Lead Teacher and under the general direction from the Center Director and Assistant Director. This position responds to each child's developmental stage of growth with respect, courtesy, and understanding.

Work is performed following the Department of Early Learning (DEL) requirements, Early Achiever expectations, Early Head Start (EHS) and Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) standards, in addition to the Tacoma Community College and Early Learning Center policies and procedures, we follow National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards. Essential Functions

• Work with the lead teacher in planning and implementing environmental curriculum appropriate for the young children in your care.
• Use of Teaching Strategies GOLD and related databases as needed. Assisting lead teacher with paper and computer work.
• Helping Lead Teacher with preparing and possibly doing parent/teacher conferences.
• Model appropriate behavior, using developmentally appropriate communication skills and being considerate of others.
• Observe each child's development and discuss this with the lead teacher.
• Assist in ensuring that children are involved in activities suited to their immediate emotional, social, intellectual, and physical needs.
• Provide ample outdoor activity options for children, maintaining focus on children's activities.
• Assist children in taking responsibility for the classroom equipment they use.
• Assist with preparation, presentation and cleanup of projects and activities such as art projects, stories, songs, outdoor activities, and bulletin boards.
• Encourage language development. Foster independence and self-help skills.
• Assist with maintenance of a healthy and safe environment. As necessary, lift, move, and/or run after children in emergencies and physically remove children from dangerous situations.
• Function as a member of a team-oriented staff. This includes participating in staff meetings and in-service training which will occasionally include evening hours.
• Maintain 10 hours of continuing…