Instructional Coach

Under the direction of the Early Childhood Education Manager, the Instructional Coach coordinates and facilitates group-based professional development for teachers to work collaboratively to share reflections, examine practice, solve application challenges, manage conflict and promote continuous learning and improvement in professional practice and child outcomes.

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or in related field is required, Master’s preferred. 
• State certification in Early Childhood Education is preferred. 
• Five (5) years of teaching experience in Early Childhood Education is required. 

Essential Job Functions

• Assists Site Managers and Education Manager with developing, coordinating and managing the provision of education services to classrooms assigned (Community Childcare Partners, Private Childcare, Early Head Start/Pre-K) in accordance with established standards. 
• Maintain regular communication and coordination with the Early Childhood Education Manager regarding all assigned sites. 
• Ensure developmental appropriateness and safety of classroom environment to include appropriate classroom sanitation procedures. Assist teachers in classroom instruction, coaching, providing strategies and techniques. 
• Cooperatively work with other staff members in creating a positive environment for children, families and staff. Function as a liaison between the educational staff, Site Manager, and management team.
• Assist in monitoring, developing, and coordinating policies and procedures to ensure education systems are cutting edge and school readiness data supports classroom instruction. 
• Support and guide staff in positive mentoring roles. Support and teach developmentally appropriate practices. Assist with conducting monthly planning meetings with teaching teams. 
• Responsible for assessing children, when applicable and reviewing assessment data to ensure accuracy (Brigance, Lap B-K, and I-Station) and provide assistance as needed. Uses child screening, assessment and progress data to inform lesson planning, individualization, and the intensification of instruction. 
• Ensure ongoing communication with family services regarding suspected child disabilities or needed changes in the family partnership agreement (service plan). 
• Ensure that facilities and equipment are readily available to meet all local, state and federal requirements. 
• Assist with preparation for local, state and national site visits/audits (i.e., OHS Federal review, NAEYC, ECERS 3 start assessment, etc.) 
• Represent Porter-Leath within groups at a national, state, and local level for purposes of advocacy education, collaboration, networking and information sharing. Remain current on local, regional and national educational workshops. 
• Ensure classroom files are audited and maintained for compliance.
• Keep Manager abreast of any programmatic issues and non-compliances, and work to put a plan of action in place to correct (issues). 
• Maintain documentation necessary to verify progress towards education program goals/objectives. 
• Encourages the scheduling and protection of time for regular collaboration among the teaching team to review data, reflect on children’s progress and teaching practices, and plan for interaction, instruction, and family engagement. 
• Facilitates or coordinates collaborative “lesson study” opportunities for teachers to unpack early learning and development standards, discuss children’s progress, examine practice, and together design innovative learning experiences. 
• Implements with classroom teachers formal cycles of reflective content-based coaching (planning conversation, observation, reflecting conversation) to support the transfer of knowledge and improvements into practice.
• Ensures that research-based, comprehensive curricula are in place, and that alignment of early learning standards, curricula/outcome goals, formative assessments, and instructional strategies.
• Ensures teacher-child interactions and instruction is responsive, intentional, and developmentally-appropriate to ensure children are provided socially-supportive, organized, and instructionally-meaningful interactions to support their development learning. Encourages appropriate level of primary caregiving and continuity of care. 
•  Reviews and critiques weekly lesson plans submitted by the teaching staff and monitors the daily implementation of same on an on-going basis to ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, Porter-Leath Teacher Excellent Program’s Core Features, State Licensing and agency guidelines. 
• Monitors the job performance of all members of the teaching staff and classroom volunteers/interns. 
• Assists teaching staff with presenting learning situations in an interesting and challenging way. 
• Models and/or demonstrates lessons when necessary. 
• Conducts regular professional development training for all teaching staff. 
•  Provides feedback to inform the annual performance evaluation of teaching staff. 
•  Takes responsibility for professional growth and shares information with others. 
•  Maintains CLASS Observation certification and completes a Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) observation on each classroom as assigned.  
•  Generates and submits routine and special data reports in a timely manner. 

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to remain stationary as well as move about the work environment. The employee must be able to manipulate and use job materials as well as position objects weighing up to 25 pounds. The employee must be able to distinguish color and see up-close. The employee will work in a non-smoking environment. 

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not include any supervisory responsibilities. 

Special Conditions

Maintain a valid driver’s license with a good driving record and an appropriate level of insurance. 

NOTE: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be constructed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.