JOB DESCRIPTION
Summary/Objective:
Under the direction of the Early Childhood Education Manager, the Education Specialist will work to ensure all aspects of the education component meet or exceed the requirements of the Head Start Performance Standards, Georgia Bright from the Start Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Tallatoona CAP, Inc. In conjunction with the Early Childhood Education Manager, the Education Specialist, modeling a collaborative team approach will monitor, mentor, train and provide technical assistance to classroom teachers.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Monitor classrooms, education folders, portfolios, lesson plans and individualization plans according to the monitoring schedule. Provide feedback, including development of an improvement plan as needed, to the Center Manager and education staff.
- Review improvement plans with education staff, Center Manager and Early Childhood Education Manager. Conduct follow up as needed based on monitoring findings and improvement plan.
- Oversee the Early Learning Coach Mentor Program and serve as a resource to the other coach mentors on our staff.
- Ensure Georgia Pre-Kindergarten regulations are followed and necessary documentation is submitted as required.
- Monitor required screenings, on-going assessments and individualization in each classroom to assure reliable documentation and tracking of outcomes for children in the program.
- Submit monthly report of activities/monitoring to Education Manager indicating areas of needed improvement/training as a result of findings.
- Provide technical assistance to teaching staff to assure compliance with all applicable guidelines.
- Provide staff training, and staff support in the classroom modeling best practices in curriculum/education component implementation.
- Train and assist teachers with administering screenings for children; provide training for new teachers in curriculum implementation and classroom management policies and procedures.
- Assist Education Manager in planning and implementing pre-service and in-service teacher training and staff orientation.
- Monitor ChildPlus reports on a regularly scheduled basis and analyze data to determine non compliances and/or errors.
- Assist Education Manager with Self-Assessment including compilation of computer generated results/findings of Self-Assessment.
- Maintains on-going inventory of educational/classroom supplies and equipment.
- Order education forms, supplies and resources in a timely manner and ensure all forms and materials are distributed to all centers.
- Enter ChildPlus education component data as required.
- Attend training, seminars, meetings and conferences as required.
- Submit weekly schedule to Early Childhood Education Manager for approval.
- Travel to local centers/counties as required, following a weekly schedule of activities.
- Maintain strict confidentiality of records.
- Special projects and other duties as assigned/required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate practice required.
- Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards and Georgia Bright from the Start Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) Rules and Regulations.
- Self-motivated individual that works on multiple tasks simultaneously, with minimal supervision.
- Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills are essential.
- Intermediate computer skills (MS Office, Windows 2000/XP, Internet research and email).
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and problem solving skills required.
- Must have the ability to work with individuals from different ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds.
- Must be able to provide instructional leadership and training in various education components relating to curriculum and education guidelines.
- Must have the ability to establish good working relationships with other agencies, parents, Head Start personnel and the general public.
- Must possess access to a vehicle, a valid drivers’ license, good driving record and maintain adequate liability insurance and be willing to travel to Early Childhood Development Centers in all six counties (Bartow, Floyd, Gordon, Haralson, Paulding, and Polk).
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and related field is preferred.
- Previous management experience preferred.
Work Environment:
This job operates in a childcare environment. This role routinely requires interactions with children, parents, noisy and fast paced day to day activities. Requires uses of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing all day. The employee must frequently lift and/or move items up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
AAP/EEO Statement
Tallatoona is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Tallatoona does not and will not discriminate in employment and/or personnel practices on the basis of race, gender, age, disability, religion, national origin or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. Hiring, transferring and promotion practices are also performed without regard to these items.
Pay: $38,915.97 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
