Career Center

Position Overview

The Child Development Laboratory School (CDLS) is seeking an Assistant Teacher for the Dakota Immersion and Language Nest classroom. A collaborative effort between the Institute of Child Development (ICD) and the American Indian Studies department will make the Language Nest uniquely accessible for families seeking a Dakota language immersion early childhood education experience, observation and research on culturally-sustaining pedagogy, language acquisition, and parent empowerment, and will create a national exemplar in early childhood education and place-based cultural programming. Housed in ICD at the University of Minnesota, the CDLS provides high quality early care and is a training site for university students majoring in early childhood education.

This position is represented by the AFSCME Technical Bargaining Unit, Local 3937.

Job Responsibilities

Assistant Teacher (90%)

• Serving as an assistant teacher for a mixed-age group classroom
• Familiarity with diverse dialects of Dakota/Lakota/Nakoda language but ability to maintain focus on Minnesota dialects of Dakota
• Implement Dakota language and cultural teachings to children and families
• Support a safe, organized classroom that promotes optimal growth and development of children
• Identify and accommodate the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive needs of children
• Respond appropriately to the needs, interests, and developmental levels of children
• Set positive and appropriate limits and be consistent, humane, positive, and effective in implementing them
• Implement early childhood curriculum
• Use the Work Sampling System to assess student and program development and goals
• Interact positively with children in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings
• Implement developmentally and culturally appropriate practices

Family Engagement (5%)

• Work with parents to facilitate their children's development 
• Establish a positive relationship with families and communicate with families about their child’s experience at school
• Provide support for families learning Dakota language and culture
• Maintain records on each child’s progress and development
• Conduct home or classroom visits in the fall and conferences at least twice per year and other times as needed
• Keep parents informed of group goals and activities
• Establish long- and short-term goals for individual children
• Participate in parent involvement activities
• Coordinate parent involvement in your classroom

Miscellaneous Duties (5%)

• Participate as a member of Child Development Laboratory School staff by being actively engaged in staff meetings
• Assist with administrative tasks as assigned 
• Foster positive relationships with partner organizations
• Participate in department, staff, University, and external professional development opportunities
• Follow the NAEYC code of Ethics
• Assist with regular cleaning and organizing shared storage, kitchen, and outdoor spaces

Required Qualifications

• A combination of education, and teacher experience that meets State of MN State Human Services Licensing Act, Rule 3 (9503.0033) requirements for Assistant Child Care Teacher, such as a high school diploma or the equivalent, at least 12  quarter credits (8 semester credits) in early childhood education from an accredited post-secondary school, and  2,080 hours as an aide or intern. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/rules/9503.0033/ for additional qualifications. 
• Proficient in Dakota language (ACTFL Intermediate High or higher).
• Have or be willing to obtain within 90 days 8 hours approved first aid training and Infant CPR.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with children and families from all backgrounds and identities.
• Pass background fingerprint study and reference verification that meets requirements of State of MN State Human Services Licensing Act, Rule 11. 

Physical Requirements

Must be able to repeatedly perform each of the following: 

• Physically supervise young children, protecting and preventing harm to them.
• Immediately respond to emergency situations.
• Visually and aurally observe children in their environment.
• Bend, stoop, stand, reach, squat, sit (on floor and/or child size chairs).
• Carry and lift children weighing between 30-50 pounds.
• Push 4-6 seat stroller while walking with children (infants and toddlers).