GELC - Lead Teacher

The Puyallup Tribe of Indians is committed to protecting and exercising the inherent inalienable sovereign rights of the Tribe and Individuals in the interest of the Medicine Creek Treat Territories, as stewards to ensure preservation of our cultural and environmental integrity for common good and prosperity for all.


Open: November 18, 2025 Close: December 2, 2025
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.
17. Maintain a positive and warm classroom environment.
18. 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.
19. Teachers use the outdoor classroom to create and implement educational lessons and activities in the child’s natural environment.