Early Learning Coach - Early Head Start at The Y of Central Maryland

Overwhelmingly, people who decide they want to be a part of the Y in Central Maryland tell us they do so because it reflects their values and a conscious decision, they've made about how they choose to live their lives. The happiest and most fulfilled Y associates are those who are motivated to help others and who want to be a part of something larger than themselves. If this speaks to your heart, then we invite you to join our team. Be a part of a charitable, mission-driven organization that works for individual and community well-being for all, for a better us.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position serves as Early Learning Coach for a Head Start program. This position is chiefly responsible for supporting educational quality, Creative Curriculum implementation and positive child outcomes throughout the program for approximately 15-20 teachers, and performs other tasks as needed. The Early Learning Coach reports to the Curriculum & Environments Specialist. The Early Learning Coach collaborates and plans in joint sessions with Zone Managers, Curriculum & Environments Specialist and Director of Early Childhood Education to ensure that outcomes are achieved for teachers, as well as, children of all abilities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Support for Educational Quality & Positive Child Outcomes

• Conduct regular classroom observations and coaching in each center, both informally and formally (utilizing our program systems and tools).
• Provide feedback to Teachers and Zone Managers in all areas of educational quality, including but not limited to:

• Classroom environment and materials
• Daily structure and routines
• Positive guidance, classroom management, dealing with challenging behavior
• Planning curriculum that is engaging, developmentally appropriate, individualized and outcome- focused
• Interaction strategies to support children's language, cognitive and social development
• Support for English Language Learners
• Early literacy and mathematics learning

• Work with Zone Managers to create and maintain quality improvement plans; identify and procure resources to support Center Managers in successfully executing quality improvement related to teacher skill development and support.

• Coach and support Zone Managers to serve as the education lead for their buildings.
• Monitor implementation and quality of curriculum and assessment, including:

• Review of lesson plans
• Child observations and accuracy of analysis in Creative Curriculum.
• Student assessment and quality of evidence
• Work Sampling/Creative Curriculum GOLD outcomes
• Active Supervision

• Model best practices and developmentally appropriate practices for Teachers and Assistant Teachers.
• Assist Zone Managers and Teachers in understanding child outcomes data and using it to plan and individualize.
• Along with Data and Outcomes Manager, track child outcomes and program quality assessment results on a center- and program wide basis, analyze data and make program development recommendations to Director of Early Education and Regional Director.
• Work with Curriculum & Environments Specialist to develop, conduct or arrange training as needed, including professional development days, ongoing training, center- or team-specific training, and additional related training for parents, volunteers, or others.
• Support implementation of pilots and special initiatives related to curriculum, assessment, teacher training or other.

Communication and Service Coordination

• Participate in team and 1-1 meetings, regularly scheduled and as needed, to ensure coordination of education services across Head Start program.
• Participate in management meetings, as requested.
• Communicate in written or verbal format to groups and individuals.
• Actively participate in Head Start community, including staff meetings, mandated trainings, committee meetings, and other program-wide functions as needed, including some evening activities

Recordkeeping & Reporting

• Maintain documentation of monitoring, coaching and training activities, adhering to our program's existing systems (Master Binders, Creative Curriculum, CLASS, ECERS.) whenever applicable.
• Complete monthly reports on area activities and progress toward goals with recommended modifications to plans, submit to Director of Early Childhood Development the last Friday of each month.
• Complete data-entry of coaching sessions and classroom observations and classroom visits in COPA/PROMIS and program-related tracking systems

Human Resources

• Know the personnel policies and procedures.
• Devise work methods and procedures that support improvements in existing work practices; supporting the Early Development & Health Director, Zone Managers, Teachers and Assistant Teachers.
• Plan and adjust work operations to meet changing or emergent program requirements within available resources and with minimum sacrifice to quantity or quality of work.
• Participate in staff interviews and provide recommendations for hiring.
• Participate in disciplinary decisions, based on teacher performance, and provide recommendations for disciplinary actions and/or termination.

Program Governance and Leadership

• Lead for the good of the entire organization, understand the big picture and use it as framework to make decisions
• Make decisions that support program quality and maintain program accountability.
• Work with Director of Early Education and Curriculum & Environments Specialists to develop and maintain focus for education service area, align education goals with the strategic direction and needs of the program, and ensure that all education associates understand how their work relates to the program as a whole and the relevant regulations and Performance Standards.
• Improve quality and effectiveness of education service area and overall organization by initiating, sponsoring and implementing organizational change and by helping others to successfully manage organizational change.
• Promote consistent exchange of information and a cooperative environment within the center director team and other leadership.
• Attend parent committees, Policy Council and board of director meetings as needed or requested.
• Recognize that your job description is service area specific and that a successful employee upholds the overall employment standards outlined in the Employee Handbook and specifically, but not limited to: confidentiality, child abuse reporting, attendance and dependability, appropriate dress, customer service and support to all families, prudent use of program resources, and promoting and maintaining safe work environment.
• Uphold the shared values of the Y in Central Maryland.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must obtain a criminal background check.
• Must have a valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation.

• Must obtain a copy of driving record annually and maintain a clean driving record in order to drive an agency vehicle.
• Basic computer literacy in email, word processing and internet navigation

Education

• BS/BA in Early Childhood Education or related field preferred

Experience

• Teaching and/or supervising in a Head Start setting, Creative Curriculum, preferred

Certifications

• Obtain certification in CPR and First Aid

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Able to lift a child weighing 40 pounds, 20 times a day if needed

The Y in Central Maryland provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment. Moreover, the Y is firmly committed to celebrating and achieving diversity and inclusion in all we do. We strive to be an anti-racist organization and expect all associates to treat others with respect, kindness and dignity, at all times. Thank you for considering working for the Y in Central Maryland. If being a part of our cause feels right for you, we hope you will join us.