Teaching & Learning Services Specialist - SMART START OF FORSYTH COUNTY

GENERAL INFORMATION

 Smart Start of Forsyth County (SSFC) was founded in 1994. Smart Start of Forsyth County has also supported the infrastructure of Forsyth County’s early care and education system for 29 years, ensuring young children, including those with special needs, receive an equitable opportunity for a high level of quality early education to become school ready. Smart Start’s budget of over $15 million includes funding from the federal government, the state of North Carolina, Forsyth County, the City of Winston-Salem, and private donations and grants. SSFC funds approximately 15 programs annually, serving over 15,000 young children and their families, and administers Forsyth County’s North Carolina - Pre-K Program, which provides free Pre-K to children in the community. SSFC also operates programs and campaigns internally and is the leader in research, data, convening, and collaboration on children 0-8 Forsyth County area issues.

POSITION SUMMARY

Teaching and Learning Support Specialist is a non-exempt position that reports to the Teaching and Learning Support Services Manager.  This position provides technical assistance that promotes child development and best practices, in the form of coaching and modeling to early childhood educators in childcare facilities.  This position also provides trainings and professional development to early educators to increase the level of education and competence, quality and depth of degrees and certifications in the Early Childhood Education workforce, and to enhance the quality of early learning experiences and kindergarten readiness, equitably, for children ages birth to five to include children with special needs. Understand, prioritize, and value diversity, equity, and inclusion as a representative of SSFC.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Uses a coaching-style interaction of joint planning, observation, action/practice, reflection, and effective feedback to guide work with teachers and directors.

· Supports early educators in the classroom learning environment with positive teacher-child interactions.

· Assists early educators with age and developmentally appropriate classroom arrangements.

· Develops, in conjunction with the teacher, Technical Assistance (TA) Plans and monitors effectiveness.

· Monitors progress and achievement of goals on Technical Assistance Plans.

· Conducts observations using the Classroom Assessment Scoring System™ (CLASS™).

· Assesses classrooms using the Environment Rating System scales (ITERS/ECERS), Preschool (POEMS), and Program Administration Scale (PAS).

· Plans, conducts, and facilitates workshops, training, and professional development for teachers and directors.

· Provides follow-up to ensure implementation of practices in the classroom and outdoor learning environment.

· Tracks and maintains record keeping on services provided (i.e., observation, assessments, trainings, technical assistance, technical assistance plans developed, phone calls, virtual and in-person visits, etc.) by documenting on a weekly workflow report template. 

· Maintains currency of trends in early childhood education and development, early childhood special education, brain research, childcare licensing, conscious discipline, trauma-informed, and family engagement via web-based platforms and in-person.

· Represents Smart Start via collaborations with other professionals and in the community and accepts ownership for accomplishing goals identified in the Smart Start of Forsyth County strategic plan.

· Other duties that may be assigned.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES:

• Follow all SSFC policies and procedures. 
• Attend required meetings and training (to include some evening and/or weekend).
• Attend and participate in SSFC sponsored community events.
• Local Travel and visiting providers required.
• Be proficient in most current NC Child Care Rules and Regulations

EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

·  Two to five years of verifiable experience as a director of a childcare center, a technical assistance specialist, quality enhancement professional, classroom teacher, or other related experience in the field of early childhood education.

· Must have at least an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education; Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education, Family Consumer Science Birth to K or Child Development, or related field.

· Must be CLASS Observer Reliability Certificate or be able achieve and have or be able to obtain NCICDP Level 11 Certification and Technical Assistance/Professional Development Endorsements.

· Ability to use Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Publisher), Teaching Strategies Gold, and Outlook.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Work is usually sedentary, and may require long periods of standing, walking and/or bending and some light lifting.  The work is mostly performed in a secure office setting.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to walk, bend, stoop, stretch, squat, kneel, push, pull, and sit.
• Ability to travel to all centers and meeting/training locations.
• Ability to detect unsafe situations by sight or sound.