Education Specialist - CJ

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Education Specialist provides training, modeling, and quality support services to instructional staff in the CoachJAX! program to improve teacher interactions and instructional skills and to ensure children are prepared for entrance and success in kindergarten.

MAJOR RESPONSIBLITIES:

1. Work diligently towards obtaining and maintaining coach certification by attending scheduled professional development trainings, maintaining fidelity to the Lastinger Institute’s coaching model, submitting required coaching videos, providing feedback to peer coaches, seeking support as needed, and submitting the required documentation in a timely manner.
2. Maintain annual certification renewal as a reliable Infant, Toddler, and PreK CLASS Observer.
3. Conduct weekly visits with all lead teachers at assigned centers with at least an hour combined scheduled classroom visits in morning and afternoon hours to provide on-site coach demonstrations, teacher observations, and conferences about appropriate early childhood practices, teacher-child interactions, curriculum implementation, and child assessment.
4. Closely follow the Lastinger coaching model in all classroom visits, including collecting data while observing teachers, creating data displays, modeling CLASS strategies, and holding coaching conversations that adhere to the coaching conversation rubric.
5. Conduct weekly, scheduled meetings with directors for the purpose of providing support and improving director skills to sustain teacher development.
6. Arrive at centers on time and remain on site according to the times designated on the weekly coaching schedule. Keep Outlook calendar current.
7. Establish mentoring relationships with teachers and directors that will result in further improvement of best practices in early childhood development.
8. Develop and implement demonstration lessons aligned with the Florida Voluntary Pre-K Standards, the Florida Birth to Three Learning and Developmental Standards, and the Teachstone CLASS tool.
9. Measure gains in teacher performance using observation cycles with the Infant, Toddler, and PreK CLASS tool.
10. Maintain daily coaching records in SharePoint.
11. Provide technical assistance in the use of a classroom inventory tool to maintain and update inventory of classroom supplies and materials.
12. Unpack materials orders according to ECS fiscal policies, including checking off received items on the packing list, comparing received items to original order to ensure accuracy, communicating with the vendor about any issues with the order, and submitting required documentation in a timely and professional manner (clear images, properly labeled).
13. Assist teachers in creating and maintaining a developmentally appropriate classroom learning environment.
14. Demonstrate and assist teachers on conducting child assessments, collecting child assessment data, analyzing data and developing plans for individualized instruction.
15. Develop and provide required large and small group trainings on topics related to early childhood standards, curriculum, CLASS, child development and assessment, and other related early childhood topics.
16. Provide on-site and ongoing training and assistance to preschool and infant-toddler teachers on approved developmentally appropriate curricula that are aligned with the Florida Birth to Five Learning and Developmental Standards.
17. Facilitate online CANVAS trainings with timely and effective communication with participants and timely and correct submission of required documentation.
18. Document and maintain all training and technical assistance hours to ensure compliance with project and IACET requirements.
19. Collaborate and communicate regularly with other the CoachJax! team to develop and implement system wide procedures, goals, and outcomes as related to contract deliverables.
20. Respond promptly to all work emails and calendar invites during daily scheduled office hours. Set auto-responder for leave days when email will not be checked.
21. Complete reports with accuracy by the due date each month.
22. Stay current in the field of early education by reading articles and books, and by attending trainings, professional workshops, and participating in peer group meetings.
23. All other duties as requested to maintain the success of ECS.

(These essential job functions are not to be considered as a complete statement of duties and responsibilities. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as needed.)

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP:

•      This position reports to the Manager of Early Learning.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field and 1-3 years’ experience teaching, coaching or mentoring adults preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree with 3-5 years’ experience in early childhood education or primary classroom.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field and 1-3 years’ experience teaching, coaching or mentoring adults preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree with 3-5 years’ experience in early childhood education or primary classroom.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of current best practices in early childhood education with an emphasis in teacher child interactions and using curriculum and assessments to plan and individualize instruction.
• Ability to articulate and demonstrate best teaching instructional strategies and practices.
• Knowledge and ability to utilize reflective feedback strategies.
• Knowledge of adult learning research and strategies.
• Ability to demonstrate and maintain a strong commitment to the needs of children and project goals.
• Excellent people skills and ability to work well with a broad range of people.
• Ability to establish a relationship of mutual trust and respect with center staff.
• Ability to motivate teachers to high levels of commitment and performance.
• Ability to develop and facilitate large and small group professional trainings.
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels in the organization, with excellent written and oral skills and a willingness to share information.
• Ability to maintain confidential information.
• Ability to plan, organize work as well as maintain records, analyze data, and prepare reports.
• Knowledge of applicable safety and child abuse reporting procedures.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office products, i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to work independently with little direct supervision.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATION OR REGISTRATIONS:

• Valid driver’s license and proof of automobile coverage
• Satisfactory Driving Record (as outlined in Vehicle Driving Policy)
• CLASS Observer Certification in Infant, Toddler, and PreK required within six months of hire
• UF Lastinger Coaching Model certification required or received within six months of hire, or as soon as made available by the Lastinger Center

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• Works in an office/remote environment when performing administrative functions
• Works in early childhood classroom settings
• Travels locally to multiple sites
• Works some night and weekends for trainings and special events

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:

• Acceptable eyesight (with or without correction)
• Acceptable hearing (with or without correction)
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.

(Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability)