GRADE LEVEL/SALARY: 19; $16.27-$21.69

Position Summary:

The Early Learning Coach will support teachers as they implement effective teaching practices that lead to positive outcomes for children using Practice-Based Coaching and other supportive coaching strategies. The Early Learning coach will work directly with children, center staff, and families to develop and implement individualized plans in the areas of school readiness, social-emotional support, behavior intervention, and inclusion.

Responsibilities:

• Promote a culture of coaching by building collaborative relationships with classroom staff in every step of the coaching process.
• Use a coordinated coaching approach by collaborating with Center Directors to identify coaching needs for teaching staff.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Education Manager to plan and establish teaching practices that promote school readiness goals.
• Work with the Assistant Education Manager to create, distribute, and review Intentional Coaching Applications.
• Provide Intentional Coaching to selected individual teachers using the Practice Based Coaching model.
• Work with Center Directors to individualize a Center Support Plan that outlines Supportive Coaching needs for assigned center teams.
• Collaboratively set goals with teaching staff and Center Director, as identified in Center Support Plan, using the Practice Based Coaching Model.
• Complete general classroom observations/visits to identify needs and increase collaborative relationships with center teams.
• Provide training, modeling and support for materials provided for children and to demonstrate use of effective teaching practices.
• Coordinate with Center Teams, Mental Health Consultant, Trauma-Informed Specialist and/or Disabilities RS to provide support to staff & families regarding targeted social emotional, behavioral and disabilities supports for children who require systematic and focused instruction.
• Coordinate with Center Teams and Disabilities RS to ensure referrals are completed as needs are identified.
• Communicate with staff and Center Director about progress, challenges, and implementation of strategies and teaching practices.
• Demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning through professional development and share resources with staff as available.
• Coach staff on how to communicate with guardians of children experiencing special needs/challenging behaviors.
• Serve as an advocate for children, families and staff.
• Provide Responsive Coaching in assigned area for immediate needs surrounding behaviors, classroom management, teaching practices, etc.
• Work closely with the Center Director and teaching team during the Responsive Coaching sessions to plan course of action and determine next steps
• Provide comprehensive consultation and individualized plans for children with persistent challenging behavior in cooperation with center staff and families.
• Communicate regularly with Assistant Education Manager and Mental Health Consultant regarding pending intensive intervention cases and open behavior intervention cases.
• Oversee and facilitate the New Teacher Learning Community (NTLC) within assigned area.
• Support Center Directors in assigned areas to provide professional development on topics such as behavior management, social emotional development and classroom management during center team meetings (Together Learning and Collaborating).
• Mentor Instructional Specialists in modeling, professionalism and positive leadership practices by maintaining frequent contact, providing encouragement and resources.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Provides nurturing and reflects adequate competencies to care for and interact with children in work environment
• Attend agency functions, workshops, conferences, and meeting for continuing education as required
• Support and understand the vision, mission and values of the Partnership
• Other duties as may be necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of this positions

Work Relationships and Scope:

The Early Learning Coach serves as a member of the Early Learning Coaching Team and reports directly to the Assistant Education Manager. This position interacts regularly and cooperatively with teaching staff, Center Director and other team members to ensure needed support and coaching. Early Learning Coach will have frequent interaction with the general public, local, state and federal authorities and will be involved in regular communication and interaction at all levels of the program. Building a rapport with staff, families and children is a must. The Early Learning Coach must be self-directed, but able to work in a team environment.  

Measure of Performance: 

• Complete Coaching Practices Assessment (annually)
• Provide coaching feedback (on-going after each coaching cycle)
• Keep calendar up to date with tasks (on-going)
• Complete CLASS on all assigned classrooms (2x/ year)
• Upload coaching documentation into ChildPlus (within 3 business days)
• Attend coaching meetings (monthly)
• Provide focused observation, support and education to classrooms (on-going)
• Complete comprehensive Functional Behavior Assessments/Behavior Intervention Plans on children with persistent challenging behavior, based on the observation of the child and documentation from classroom staff and guardian (upload to ChildPlus within 24 hours).
• Accepts feedback willingly (on-going)
• Represents the values of the Partnership in action and work (on-going)
• Acts with confidence and deliberateness (on-going)
• Maintains confidential information (on-going)
• Plan visits (monthly)
• Plans, organizes and efficiently handles situations related to coaching. (on-going)
• Time to answer customer/staff concerns (on-going; within 2 business days of receipt)
• 85% of visits completed on schedule

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The Early Learning Coach must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, Social Work, or related field, and have experience or education related to Special Education.  At least 2 years of experience working with young children with challenging behaviors is preferred.  General understanding of Performance Standards, Head Start policies, Practice-Based Coaching, and the care of young children is preferred.  This position also requires sensitivity to the issues of low-income families, orientation to details and deadlines, proficiency in technology, excellent interpersonal skills, and ability to communicate effectively and professionally.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in classrooms and an office setting with minimal safety issues as well as frequent travel to outside meetings and Partnership sites throughout Northern Alabama. Some visits to families enrolled in the home-based option may be required. This position requires sitting, standing, bending, and minimal lifting. When assisting staff and families with challenging behaviors, there will be some exposure to dangerous/aggressive behavior of children. This position requires a valid driver’s license, safe driving record, and cleared Criminal Background (ABI/FBI) report. 

Benefits:

All full time employees of the Partnership are provided a very generous and exceptional benefits package which includes full medical coverage managed by PEEHIP (BC/BS Plan). The agency contributes over 10% monthly to the Retirement System of Alabama on behalf of each employee.

Acknowledgement:

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by the employee assigned to this position. It does not state or imply that these are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to the job. The employee may be required to perform other job-related duties as requested by the supervisor and the Director of Children’s Services. All requirements are subject to change over time and to possible modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.