Early Education Coach - Excellence, Quality, Innovation

Job Details

Description

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for providing coaching and mentorship to child development staff. Majority of time is spent coaching and assisting with improving classroom teacher practice.

Education & Certification Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and a minimum of 3 years of direct teaching experience CLASS certified in both Pre-K and Toddler preferred.

Experience & Training Requirements

• Must have in-depth knowledge of best practices in early education.
• Must have a comprehensive understanding of developmentally appropriate practices in early education.
• Must have a thorough understanding of teaching pedagogy.
• Knowledge of the Reggio Emilia philosophies and pedagogies is highly preferred.
• Must have a deep understanding of the content pedagogy (how to teach literacy, math, etc.).
• Knowledge and/or certification in CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System) is preferred.
• Must have previous teaching experience in 0-5.
• Knowledge of a coaching model (Practice-Based Coaching, Reflective Coaching, In-Situ Coaching, etc.) is preferred.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and manage well multiple projects.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality.
• Must be able to travel between centers.
• Must have excellent oral and written skills in English.
• Spanish fluency is a plus.
• Must have sound judgment and decision-making ability.
• Must be a self-motivated person who can work both individually and on a team.
• Must be able to take initiative and make sound decisions.
• Must have knowledge of Head Start and Early Head Start requirements and Performance Standards.
• Must desire to assume responsibility for self-professional development.
• Must be detail oriented.
• Must be able to serve as an advocate for children and families.
  
  

Desired Outcomes

• Co-create and design data-informed plans per coaching cycle with steps and resources for improved practices.
• Establish coaching agreements in partnership with coachee per coaching cycle that guide the scope and structure of the coaching process.
• Participate in monthly professional development opportunities that improves coaching practices and supports cultural responsiveness and reflective practice.
• Utilize reflective prompts and open-ended questions to sharpen the coachee’ s analytical, reflective and problem-solving skills.
• Use qualitative and quantitative data from the Focused Observation for reflection and feedback per coaching cycle on the practice of the coachee’ s goal.
• Research and distribute educational based newsletter quarterly with resources that will further the knowledge, methods, and strategies of teacher’s daily practices.
  
  

Essential Job Requirements & Duties

• Contribute to the development of the overall agency and early childhood education plan.
• Assist classroom teams in creating an atmosphere where children can develop socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically.
• Train teachers to ensure successful implementation of the Reggio Emilia approach.
• Conduct reflective practice, offer constructive feedback, and suggest strategies to teaching staff for learning and growth.
• Work with the child development staff to develop a schedule for conducting classroom observations.
• Use a strength-based approach to developing individual coaching plans with specific goals derived from ongoing observations.
• Assist the Director of Excellence Quality and Innovation to ensure the implementation of educational plans promote best practices that are consistent with Head Start Performance Standards, Creative Curriculum, NAEYC, Reggio Emilia Philosophy, Licensing, and State Childcare Guidelines, and other required curricula.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, children, families, and external parties.
• Prepare written reports following each coaching cycle to track outcomes, assess effectiveness, and outline areas for improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak and read English proficiently. The employee must regularly operate a word-processing system and therefore must be able to read, produce and transmit data on such a system. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision requirements include the ability to see at close range.

Employment Conditions

This job description is to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee’s ability to perform the duties as described. This job description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned as deemed appropriate commensurate to the position. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and Chicago Commons reserves the right to change this job description and /or assign tasks deemed appropriate.

Working Conditions

(The unavoidable, externally imposed conditions under which the work must be performed, and which create hardship for the incumbent including the frequency and duration of occurrence of physical demands, environmental conditions, demands on one’s senses, and mental demands.) None Known

Chicago Commons is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, marital or parental status, sexual orientation including gender identity, gender expression, military discharge status, physical or mental disability, or any other status or characteristic protected by law. In addition, Chicago Commons provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws (including during the application or hiring process).