JOB TITLE: Culture Teacher (PreK-4)

POSITION SUMMARY

To plan and teach PIMA culture and language to students. In addition, provide PIMA culture and language instruction to teachers and staff when applicable. Attend weekly Culture Teacher Meeting (or when designated) that will encompass four hours of professional development that serves to align culture and language curriculum, foster the development of shared lesson plans, and unify Gila River Indian Community’s efforts to strengthen all efforts to build positive relationships in terms of culture and language unification.

 To 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 ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

JOB GOAL: To support the mission of the district goals, procedures, and policies in the best interest of the student by professionally carrying out assigned duties and participating in the improvement and refinement of related areas. To coordinate program resources to promote the development of each student.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

• Must have the authorization to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986.
• Bachelor of Arts Degree (preferred)
• Knowledge of the Gila River Indian Community and other Nations.
• Knoweldge of the history and culture of the Gila River Indian Community.
• Acquisition of the PIMA language.
• Possess technology skills.
• Enthusiastic and passionate about teaching.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Adheres to the District vision, mission, core values and goals in collaboration with staff.
• Demonstrates the ability and desire to provide outstanding customer service.
• Demonstrates a high regard for confidential and sensitive information.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Writes and submits weekly lesson plans to the building principal.
• Researches and complies information relating to the PIMA culture, language, and GRIC community to be incorporated into weekly lesson plans.
• Implements and uses researched based teaching strategies and methods that are effective for teaching a second language (i.e., E.I. strategies).
• Creates learning materials and visuals to enhance instruction.
• Integrates technology into weekly lessons.
• Creates and administers both informal and formal assessments.
• Enters student information and grades into Synergy, a student information data base.
• Distributes cultural and historical information and materials to teachers to supplement their classroom instruction.
• Attends workshops, in-services, conferences, and/or indigenous native language classes that support professional growth including the weekly Culture Teacher Meeting hosted by the Tribal Education Department in line with the Culture Committee recognized by the Gila River Indian Community and Tribal Education Department. Each Culture Teacher session will seek to promote the creation of culture and language curriculum, establishment of a partnership with other GRIC entities that foster culture and language programs and participate in lesson planning for all GRIC culture and language teachers.
• Provides PIMA language classes and/or cultural related presentations to students, families, and providers of Sacaton Elementary School enrolled students.
• Establishes and maintains positive working relations with tribal-related individuals and organizations with their efforts to preserve, maintain, and revitalize the GRIC culture and language.
• Establishes and maintains positive working relations with GRIC: Community Members, Elders, Tribal Officials, Resource Agencies, and the Public.
• Assists with extra-curricular activities, projects, and/or events as they relate to culture and language (i.e., Indian Studies Week, Community Parades, Curriculum Nights, etc.)
• Prepares and creates educational materials, displays, pamphlets, bulletins, etc. as they relate to culture and language.
• Performs other duties that may be assigned by the supervisor.
• The school district reserves the right to amend this job description as necessary.

OTHER SKILLS/ABILITIES/KNOWLEDGE/WORK STYLE:

• Bilingual preferred or working knowledge of PIMA.
• Demonstrates the ability to read, analyze and interpret state standards and student data, general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Demonstrates the ability to modify content vocabulary/idiomatic expressions that may impede comprehension.
• Demonstrates the ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Demonstrates the ability to write routine reports, correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Demonstrates the ability to speak effectively before groups of managers, students, parents, school/district staff, clients, customers, and the general public.

COMMENTS:

This job description is intended to be representative of the work performed by employees in this position and is not all-inclusive. The omission of a specific duty or responsibility will not preclude it from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical extension of position responsibilities as defined by the supervisor.