The Educational Director is responsible for providing strategic leadership, management, and oversight of all education services within the Head Start and Early Head Start program. This position ensures the implementation of a high-quality, comprehensive early childhood education program that promotes children's school readiness and complies with all applicable Head Start Program Performance Standards (45 CFR Part 1302), federal regulations, state licensing requirements, and organizational policies.
The Educational Director leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the education service area by supervising education staff, ensuring curriculum fidelity, monitoring child outcomes, supporting instructional excellence through coaching and professional development, and using data to drive program improvement. This position collaborates closely with all Head Start service areas to ensure integrated services that support the developmental, educational, and social-emotional needs of children and families.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
-
Provide leadership and strategic direction for the Head Start and Early Head Start Education Service Area.
-
Develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate the Education Service Area Plan and School Readiness Goals.
-
Ensure compliance with all applicable Head Start Program Performance Standards (45 CFR Part 1302), Office of Head Start guidance, state regulations, and organizational policies.
-
Lead continuous quality improvement initiatives using program monitoring, child outcomes, and classroom quality data.
-
Promote a culture of excellence, accountability, collaboration, and innovation throughout the Education Department.
-
Ensure the successful implementation and fidelity of the program's approved research-based curriculum.
-
Oversee implementation of developmentally appropriate practices that support children's cognitive, language, physical, social-emotional, and approaches to learning development.
-
Monitor curriculum implementation through classroom observations, lesson plan reviews, coaching documentation, and ongoing monitoring activities.
-
Ensure instructional practices align with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF).
-
Support the implementation of individualized instruction and inclusive educational practices for all children.
-
Oversee implementation of Teaching Strategies GOLD® child assessment system.
-
Ensure timely completion and accuracy of child assessments and developmental screenings.
-
Analyze child outcome data to evaluate progress toward School Readiness Goals.
-
Use assessment data to guide instructional planning and continuous program improvement.
-
Collaborate with Disabilities, Mental Health, Family Engagement, and Health Services to support children with identified or suspected developmental concerns.
-
Supervise Education Managers, Education Specialists, Instructional Coaches, Disabilities Specialists, and other assigned personnel.
-
Develop and implement a comprehensive professional development plan for education staff.
-
Ensure all education staff receive required pre-service and in-service training.
-
Oversee implementation of the program's coaching system to strengthen teacher effectiveness and classroom quality.
-
Provide leadership coaching to education supervisors and instructional leaders.
-
Participate in ongoing monitoring, self-assessment, federal reviews, licensing visits, and quality assurance activities.
-
Conduct classroom observations using approved assessment tools.
-
Review education documentation for compliance with Head Start regulations.
-
Develop corrective action plans and monitor implementation when deficiencies are identified.
-
Ensure all education records, reports, and documentation are complete and accurate.
-
Collect, analyze, and interpret education data to support informed decision-making.
-
Monitor program performance indicators including:
-
Child outcomes
-
CLASS® scores
-
Teaching Strategies GOLD® reports
-
Attendance
-
Coaching implementation
-
School Readiness Goals
-
Collaborate with program leadership to establish quality improvement strategies.
-
Prepare reports for Executive Leadership, Policy Council, Governing Body, and federal reporting requirements.
-
Develop and monitor the Education Department budget.
-
Ensure educational expenditures comply with federal grant requirements and organizational policies.
-
Oversee purchasing of curriculum materials, classroom resources, educational technology, and instructional supplies.
-
Work collaboratively with Family Engagement, ERSEA, Health, Disabilities, Mental Health, Nutrition, Transportation, Facilities, Human Resources, and Fiscal departments to ensure integrated services.
-
Participate in leadership meetings, Policy Council meetings, Governing Body meetings, community partnerships, and other assigned committees.
-
Communicate regularly with program leadership regarding educational performance, compliance, staffing, and operational needs
-
Provides direct supervision to assigned Education Department personnel, including but not limited to:
-
Education Managers
-
Education Specialists
-
Disabilities Specialists
-
Instructional Coaches
-
Education Coordinators
Responsibilities include:
-
Hiring and onboarding
-
Coaching and mentoring
-
Performance evaluations
-
Corrective action and employee development
-
Goal setting and accountability
-
Monthly supervision meetings
-
Staff development planning
Bachelor's degree in early childhood education or Master's Degree in:
-
Early Childhood Education
-
Child Development
-
Curriculum and Instruction
-
Educational Leadership
-
Special Education
Experience
-
Minimum five (5) years of experience in Early Childhood Education.
-
Minimum three (3) years of supervisory or instructional leadership experience.
-
Experience in Head Start and/or Early Head Start strongly preferred.
-
Experience supervising instructional coaching systems.
-
Experience leading continuous quality improvement initiatives.
-
Experience preparing for federal monitoring reviews preferred.
Demonstrated knowledge of:
-
Head Start Program Performance Standards (45 CFR Part 1302)
-
Head Start Act
-
Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF)
-
School Readiness Goals
-
Developmentally Appropriate Practice (NAEYC)
-
Positive Behavior Supports
-
Inclusive Early Childhood Practices
-
Adult Learning Principles
-
Continuous Quality Improvement
-
Data analysis and reporting
-
Budget management
Experience using:
-
Creative Curriculum®
-
Teaching Strategies GOLD®
-
ChildPlus
-
Microsoft Office Suite
-
Data management systems
Experience with the following quality assessment tools is strongly preferred:
-
CLASS® (Infant, Toddler, and/or Pre-K)
-
CLASS® Observer Certification (Infant, Toddler, and/or Pre-K, as applicable)
-
Teaching Strategies GOLD® Interrater Reliability Certification
-
Creative Curriculum® Implementation Training
-
Reliable CLASS® Observer
-
Reliable ECERS-3 and/or ITERS-3 Observer
-
CPR and First Aid Certification
-
Child Abuse and Neglect Mandated Reporter Training
-
Active Supervision Training
-
Pyramid Model or Positive Behavior Support Training
-
Successfully complete all required criminal background checks, fingerprinting, and medical examinations in accordance with Head Start regulations.
-
Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
-
Ability to travel locally and occasionally out of state for training or program activities.
-
Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
-
Ability to work effectively with culturally and linguistically diverse children, families, staff, and community partners.
-
Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES:
CREATIVITY: We promote an environment where new ideas flourish, encouraging imagination, curiosity, and the ability to create solutions that transform lives and communities.
JOY: We live each day with enthusiasm and optimism, recognizing joy as a force that inspires, motivates, and builds genuine connections among people.
INTEGRITY: We act with transparency, ethics, and consistency at all times. Our commitment is to do what is right, even when no one is watching, serving as an example for future generations.
INNOVATION: We continuously adapt and evolve, seeking innovative and effective ways to positively impact the lives of our participants, families, and communities.
PASSION FOR SERVICE: Our vocation is transformation. We serve with dedication, empathy, and deep commitment to the children, youth, and families of Puerto Rico because we believe in their potential.
WELLBEING: We promote balance between mind, body, and emotions as the foundation for full development. We foster healthy and safe environments that encourage self-care, mental health, and collective wellbeing.
DISCLAIMER: Due to the nature of the position and potential changes in the requirements established by the Office of Head Start, the information presented describes the general nature and level of work expected of employees within this classification. It is not intended to contain, nor should it be interpreted as, an exhaustive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this position. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse and healthy workplace.
