Position Overview
The mission of the Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) is to provide educators with curricular resources, academic programs, and aligned professional development to ensure rigorous and joyful learning experiences for every student. OTL team members support school-based staff in implementing DCPS's existing academic programs while simultaneously working to rethink and redesign school programming, academic and curricular resources, and educator professional development.
Divisions/Teams
The Content and Curriculum division sets the vision for equity and excellence for each content area in DCPS schools by researching, creating, and curating curricular materials and providing aligned professional development experiences to ensure that all students have access to rigorous and joyful learning experiences every day in every content area. The division also supports schools and develops curriculum and programming in arts, health, physical education, library programs, STEM, global programs, advanced and enriched instruction, and curriculum and assessment innovation.
The Early Childhood Education division supports schools and families in providing PreK students with comprehensive learning experiences that foster confidence and independence. Approximately 6,000 children ages three to five attend early childhood classrooms in 78 elementary schools across the district, including several schools that offer Head Start programming. The division also manages Early Stages programming which works exclusively with children ages 2 years 8 months through 5 years 10 months and is responsible for meeting the District’s obligation under the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B (619) to develop a comprehensive child find system to identify and locate all preschool-age children in the District who have a disability. The division also manages the implementation of DCPS' Head Start grant.
The Language Acquisition division welcomes families of linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds to DCPS, leads the process of identifying Multilingual Learner students, and supports schools in developing programs that supports English language acquisition and academic growth. This includes support during the academic day and as part of ELSAP, which is a targeted summer program for ML students. The LAD also manages DCPS compliance with the DC Language Access Act, providing translation and interpretation resources to school and central teams.
The Professional Learning and Educational Technology division sets a vision for professional development for DCPS as well as creates systems, tools, and structures to increase the efficacy of professional learning initiatives. This work includes LEAP, cluster-based PD, district PD and other learning opportunities. The team works across all DCPS offices to increase the cohesion of professional development and broad sharing of knowledge, while exploring new avenues and opportunities for meaningful development and learning for our educators. The team also leads efforts to enhance alignment and cohesion of professional learning initiatives and the integration of educational technology.
The Specialized Instruction division works to reduce the opportunity gap between students with IEPs and their non-disabled peers; and increases equity and excellence in schools through specific academic programming, related services, professional learning, school leadership development, family engagement, dispute resolution, and community partnerships.
The Early Childhood Education division supports schools and families in providing PreK students with comprehensive learning experiences that foster confidence and independence. Approximately 6,000 children ages three to five attend early childhood classrooms in 78 elementary schools across the district, including several schools that offer Head Start programming. The division also manages Early Stages programming which works exclusively with children ages 2 years 8 months through 5 years 10 months and is responsible for meeting the District’s obligation under the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B (619) to develop a comprehensive child find system to identify and locate all preschool-age children in the District who have a disability. The division also manages the implementation of DCPS' Head Start grant.
The Specialist, Head Start Health is responsible for ensuring that DCPS is meeting the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) in the areas of child health and dental health at all Head Start schools. Reporting to the Director, Head Start Quality Assurance, the Specialist, Head Start Health will work with school nurses, family service staff, and families to ensure children have immunizations, well- care visits, and appropriate follow-up care. The Specialist will perform data entry, tracking, and monitoring. The Specialist will identify and develop partnerships with community health providers to support ongoing compliance with HSPPS.
This position has been designated as Protection Sensitive. Pursuant to section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations; in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying protection sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests: Criminal background check; Sex Offender Registry check; and Traffic record check (as applicable).
The Specialist, Head Start Health will report to the Director, Head Start Quality Assurance.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.
Manages implementation of family style meals, including facilitating coordination with DCPS School Nutrition to ensure meals are properly prepared and delivered and leading training for school staff in effectively implementing family-style meals.
Partners with the DCPS Head Start Family Service team and school-based staff to ensure all children enrolled in Head Start classrooms are up-to-date on health care requirements as dictated by the Head Start Performance Standards, ensuring that follow-up services are provided and referrals are made as needed.
Advises staff on practices for collaborating with parents to arrange any needed medical, dental, or nutritional examinations and follow-ups.
Designs training and resources for DCPS Head Start Staff related to physical and oral health promotion, health services documentation, supporting children with special health care needs, nutrition, family style dining, oral health practices, and coordination with community health providers.
Develops and maintains systems to ensure that the DCPS Head Start program has informed signed parental consent and release of information for all DCPS or contractor-provided health, dental, and nutritional services and to ensure parental awareness of and encourage parental participation in these health services.
Manages the Head Start Health Advisory Council; recruits members, develops agendas, obtains speakers and works with DCPS Head Start leadership to resolve health issues using the expertise of this group.
Attends health-related meetings and training within the community and serves as the DCPS Head Start representative on citywide public health related committees.
In consultation with the Family Services manager, plans and delivers or secures group and individualized training for parents on health, dental, nutrition, and environmental safety topics.
Serves as a member of the Head Start leadership team and sets program goals in health, oral health, and nutrition.
Monitors and analyzes child and family health data to assess overall program effectiveness and progress in meeting identified goals through ChildPlus.
Supports ECED efforts to develop, collaborate, and coordinate efforts with other DCPS offices to meet DCPS, OSSE and Head Start standards for child and family health services.
Develops presentations of Head Start data for internal and external audiences and communicates progress to key stakeholder groups.
Participates in the annual program self-evaluation and advises on the development of DCPS Head Start procedures program proposals, and community assessment.
Conducts periodic site visits to all DCPS Head Start classrooms to monitor implementation of health practices in the classroom; monitors safety and sanitation procedures, first aid, emergency medical procedures, nutrition plans, and medical administration logs. Manages resolution of health and safety-specific issues that are found on site visits.
Develops systems to collect required health service and outcome data and conducts monthly file reviews for compliance monitoring.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree and three to five years of related work experience.
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Master's degree preferred.
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Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.
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Experience working with low-income, and culturally and linguistically diverse families.
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Demonstrates a high level of proficiency with data collection, analysis, and presentations.
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Commitment to developing and maintaining relationships with a wide variety of school-based and central office stakeholders.
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Excellent organization skills, strategic planning skills, and oral and written communication skills.
- STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
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COURAGE: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
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EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
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EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
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TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
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JOY: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.
We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive, accessible workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals with disabilities. Accommodation and/or application assistance is available upon request at all stages of the application and employment process. To request accommodation, please contact [email protected].
