Director, Early Childhood

BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL JOB TITLE : Director, Early Childhood REPORTS TO : Chief Academic Officer DEFINITION : Provides leadership in the design, development, and implementation of early childhood instructional programs in alignment with the Blueprint for Maryland's Future . Collaborate with community-based early care and education providers to increase the number of early childhood public-private partnership seats available to students in Baltimore County. Research appropriate instructional programs and classroom strategies to enhance early childhood learning opportunities that promote kindergarten readiness. Performs other duties as assigned. EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES :

• Develops a strategic plan to increase the number of full-day preschool and prekindergarten classes and increase the number of public-private partnerships to ensure that all students who are eligible can access full-day preschool and prekindergarten programs.
• Provides leadership in understanding current Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) guidelines for early childhood instruction and the vision of early childhood instruction as outlined in the Blueprint for Maryland's Future and with designing and implementing Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) policies and procedures for early admission to kindergarten and admission to preschool and prekindergarten.
• Leads and coordinates the evaluation, selection, and implementation of the early childhood curriculum, including supplemental material selection and curriculum and material resources for early childhood instruction in Library Media, Physical Education, Art, and Music.
• Collaborates with leaders of schools and programs to ensure that instructional practices and service models are aligned with research, regulations, and policies through classroom observations and the facilitation of professional development and collaborative planning.
• Identifies professional learning needs and plans and coordinates system-wide training on effective, research-based early childhood instructional programs and pedagogy and evaluates the efficacy of the professional learning to identify next steps.
• Identifies and recommends prevention, intervention, and enrichment opportunities for students in early childhood programs.
• Plans and presents early childhood information to multiple audiences, including external stakeholders.
• Directs usage of Blueprint for Maryland's Future , federal, state, and local funds equitably to positively impact early childhood learning opportunities. Prepares an annual department operating budget with supporting data necessary for clarification to the superintendent and the Board of Education. Oversees management of financial accounts and expenditures.
• Demonstrates leadership in the understanding of assessment administration, data analysis and subsequent instructional implications.
• Collaborates with all content offices to ensure alignment between early childhood curricula and content standards and with the Office of Special Education to ensure all students have access to quality early childhood programs.
• Observes and/or evaluates early childhood professional and support staff members. Supervises Judy Center programs and Aliza Brandywine Center resource teachers and staff members.
• Keeps abreast of local, state, and national developments to effect changes in operation; keeps knowledgeable regarding ongoing and new program development. Reviews recent literature and research studies and reports. Evaluates findings and suggests changes or modifications to improve existing programs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS : Education, Training and Experience :

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree in a field directly related to the assignment.
• Five (5) years of leadership/management experience in areas directly related to the above responsibilities to include at least five (5) years' experience as a school administrator.
• Experience with grant preparation, compliance, fiscal monitoring, and audits preferred.

Licenses and Certificates :

• Possession of, or eligibility for, a Maryland Advanced Professional Certificate with Early Childhood or Elementary and Administrator I endorsements.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

• Knowledge of current research-based instructional practices.
• Demonstration of skill, experience, content knowledge, and pedagogy in early childhood instruction.
• Demonstration of skill and experience in data analysis.
• Demonstrated success in incorporating assessment requirements into classroom instruction.
• Demonstration of experience in curriculum development and professional development.
• Demonstration of strong leadership, organization, communication, and human relations skills.
• Demonstration of strong knowledge and skill in computer/educational technology.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS :
The work of this class is generally sedentary and performed in an office or school environment. Work includes travel to and between schools. Work hours include after school, evenings, and weekend. Work includes the operation of office equipment, including personal computers, and occasional limited physical activities. This position is eligible for membership in the Maryland State Retirement System. Citizenship, residency or work VISA in United States required Application Instructions
Please read and carefully follow the instructions provided below.

• Applicants are required to have a completed application on file for employment with the Baltimore County Public Schools, and a separate completed application must be submitted for each position and location in which you are interested.
• Professional references must be submitted to complete your application. Examples of professional references include current and former principals, supervisors, managers, mentor teachers and university/college supervisors.. Personal references from colleagues, friends, community members, etc will not be accepted.
• Be sure to account for all periods of employment and unemployment, including student teaching and internship experience, and include names, addresses, and telephone numbers of employers.
• Be sure to answer all criminal background questions. If you answer "yes" to any of the criminal background questions you must provide a written explanation. A criminal offense does not necessarily exclude an applicant from employment with BCPS. Factors such as passage of time since the offense, the nature of the violation, and the extent of rehabilitation will be taken into consideration.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• All persons employed by the Baltimore County Public Schools, regular and temporary, are required to be fingerprinted and have a criminal background investigation (per COMAR) completed. The fee charged for fingerprinting is $109. An identification card will be issued which must be shown prior to employment.
• Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the US.
• If you have military experience you will be asked to provide a copy of DD214.
• Official transcripts for all higher education must be received prior to contract signing.
• Some positions will require employees to undergo a physical examination and/or drug testing.
• All newly hired personnel must attend a Badges and Benefits session.
• Additional job verification will be required for salary credit.

Non-Discrimination Statement The Board of Education of Baltimore County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status in matters affecting employment or in providing access to educational programs or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding the Board's nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: EEO Officer, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Baltimore County Public Schools, 6901 Charles Street, Building B, Towson, Maryland 21204 ). There is a compliance officer responsible for identifying, preventing, and remedying prohibited harassment concerning students. Complaints of harassment should be directed to the executive director, Department of School Safety and Security, 9600 Pulaski Park Drive, Suite 118, Baltimore, MD 21220 ). Contact Information Susan B. Stansbury
Director, Staffing
6901 Charles Street, E Building
Towson, Maryland 21204
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