BI-WEEKLY RATE: $1953.97                      BUDGETED DAYS: 210

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.
• Provide coaching to teachers in assigned area based on individual and classroom need by using the Practice Based Coaching model and other coaching methods.
• Meet with Center Directors monthly to discuss center needs.
• Collaborate with Center Directors to conduct Multidisciplinary Meetings within assigned areas.
• Complete general classroom observations/visits to identify needs and increase collaborative relationships with center teams.
• Provide training, modeling and support for materials provided for classroom and to demonstrate use of effective teaching practices.
• Maintain Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement through First 5 Alabama.
• Coordinate with Center Teams and Disabilities RS to provide support to staff & families regarding children with disabilities who require individualized support and instruction.
• Communicate regularly with Center Teams regarding emerging challenging behaviors and any need for Mental Health intervention.
• Conduct classroom observations to determine intervention needs when behaviors begin to emerge.
• 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.
• Serve as an advocate for children, families and staff.
• Oversee and facilitate the New Teacher Training.

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 position.

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 requires positive and respectful interpersonal interactions 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)
• Maintain documentation of Center Support and MDT Meetings within area (3x/ semester)
• Provide coaching feedback (on-going after each coaching cycle)
• Double code as necessary to maintain fidelity with assessment tools (on-going)
• Keep calendar up to date with tasks (on-going)
• Complete CLASS on all assigned classrooms (2x/ year)
• Complete Fidelity and Environment Checklist on all assigned classrooms (1x/ year)
• Upload coaching documentation into ChildPlus (within 3 business days)
• Attend coaching meetings (monthly)
• Provide focused observation, support and education to classrooms (on-going)
• Conduct observations on classrooms with emerging needs and/or challenging behaviors to determine needs for Mental Health intervention and/or coaching.
• 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 or related field. At least 2 years of experience working directly with young children in the classroom ages birth through 5. 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.