Position Purpose
Instructional coaches work collaboratively with Community Hub Directors to assess all education staff, in order to identify strengths and areas of needed support. Through this process, Instructional Coaches provide differentiated opportunities of intensive coaching to identified staff, including: ongoing observation and feedback loops and modeling of effective teaching practices. Instructional Coaches provide and/or connect all education staff with research-based professional development opportunities that align with individualized performance goals, program performance expectations, and areas of need.
Key responsibilities:
Ensure that teachers have the necessary guidance, support, and resources to demonstrate the indicators of high-quality early childhood classrooms outlined in the NAEYC Accreditation Standards for early learning programs. In practice this may include, but is not limited to:
· Utilizing selected tools to assess and evaluate classroom environments, effective teaching practices, and professional competencies.
· Differentiating coaching opportunities to meet the individual needs of staff in connection with the program’s expectations in the delivery of the highest quality early childhood education, as defined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the program’s school readiness goals, and curricula.
· Exercising the use of assessment data to drive coaching strategies, including the development of individualized goal plans with specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound [SMART] objectives.
· Being knowledgeable of adult learning principles and seeking relevant, ongoing professional growth in regards to being a leader in the field of early childhood education.
· Implementing a strengths-based approach in communication with all teaching staff, Community Hub Director, supervisor, and any other relevant staff.
· Modeling and guiding teaching staff in the use of child and classroom-level data in decision-making, planning, and goal setting.
· Providing timely guidance, resources, and materials that support the individualized ongoing professional development of teaching staff and fosters a positive, collaborative learning experience.
· Being a representative of NAEYC’s Code of Ethical Conduct and demonstrating NAEYC’s leadership competencies in daily interactions and practices.
· Demonstrating leadership abilities by advocating and modeling self-care to maintain positive engagement with children, families, and teaching staff.
· Consistently and effectively displaying mastery of coaching competencies, as defined by the Office of Head Start.
· Other duties as assigned, when necessary to meet the needs of children and families.
Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Required
● Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Early Childhood Education; valid ECE PA Teaching Certification preferred.
● Minimum five- year teaching experience in an early childhood setting; First Start Partnerships' classroom experience preferred.
● Minimum two-year supervisory experience, with some coaching/mentoring experience preferred.
● Strong knowledge of theories and practices of Early Childhood and adult learning principles.
● Excellent oral and written communication skills.
● Ability to build positive, professional relationships with diverse populations.
● Valid driver’s license/proof of auto insurance/required.
Physical Requirements
● The ability to lift up to approximately 50 lbs.
● The ability to walk/run, squat/kneel, push/pull, bend/twist, sit on the floor, and see/hear/speak with children to ensure the child’s safety and health.
● The ability to reach up/lift items overhead, to floor level and back up.
● The ability to engage in outdoor play.
● The ability to assist with serving lunch.
● The ability to assist children with bathroom needs, including changing diapers/soiled clothing.
Position Information:
● FLSA Status: Exempt
● Reports to: Bloom Center Director
● Work Schedule: 48 Weeks; 7.5 hours per day
● Work location: Classroom setting, occasional office setting
Pay: $23.00 - $35.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Education:
License/Certification:
- Teaching Certification- Early Childhood (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
