JOB DESCRIPTION

Early Childhood Education Teacher Coach

The Early Childhood Education Teacher Coach works to improve teaching practices as well as strengthen the Head Start program’s overall professional development efforts. A coach possesses unique knowledge, skills and competencies to serve in this consultant role. He or she is either well versed in providing intensive teacher coaching must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field. They would preferably have experience as a teacher in early childhood or young child classroom(s).

Coaches providing less intensive coaching as a form of professional development may hold a two-year degree in early childhood education or related field, and must have significant experience working/teaching in early childhood/Head Start settings.

The Coach is assigned to Head Start Education staff (and Early Head Start where applicable) to contact, observe, model, coach, and mentor on a regular basis. This includes providing information to others; and implementing and maintaining services within established guidelines and principles. Following observations, the Coach meets and provides feedback for facilitated discussion on common problems teachers are facing in order to improve lesson planning and delivery, or to design appropriate intervention strategies.

The Coach supports the Head Start program’s developed School Readiness Framework. He or she works with Head Start (and Early Head Start) Education staff to support them in effectively developing their learning environments, referencing the , using curriculum, and planning educational experiences that are research based and developmentally appropriate.

The Early Childhood Education Coach will utilize and collect data, maintain records, provide consistent and appropriate documentation of services provided, and consult with Head Start Director, Education Director, and Staff. The goal is to support the program in providing all education staff with ongoing training and professional development to support them in fulfilling their assigned roles and responsibilities.

The position reports to the Lower Brule College Infant & Toddler Tribal Early Intervention Director or the assigned designee, Head Start Coordinators and/or the assigned designee.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Relates and enjoys working with young children, ages 3-5 and their teachers
• Provide feedback in a supportive, instructive and non-judgmental way; enhancing the ability of teaching staff to observe children's activities and experiences as part of the ongoing assessment process and to use this information to individualize the curriculum.
• Evaluate classroom quality using the Early Childhood Education Rating Scale (ECERS) or other assessment tools.
• Provide guidance and mentoring on implementation and adherence to the early childhood curriculum used by the respective Head Start Program.
• Support teacher practice through coaching which achieves planning and implementing of developmentally appropriate practice curriculum for young children ages 3 to 5
• Assist teachers in developing and maintaining a vibrant, well-arranged and orderly classroom.
• Convey importance for teachers to develop a plan to ensure the safety of the children while they are using indoor and outdoor facilities.
• Adhere to program policy and procedures to sustain quality outcomes, Head Start Requirements and other ECE Standards
• Facilitate the use of technology to aid in the tracking of coaching and teacher practice outcomes.
• Assist Program Managers and the Director in planning, developing, and monitoring program services, policies and procedures-ensures integration with other Quality Improvement efforts

· Completes appropriate reports for local, tribal, federal and education agencies as requested and required.

• Attends all training opportunities and administrative staff meetings as provided/directed by the LBCC Infant & Toddler Tribal Early Intervention Director or designee, or by request of the Head Start Director.
• Other duties as assigned.

EMPLOMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum: Bachelor’s degree is required in Early Childhood Education, Family Studies, or related field. Master’s Degree preferred.
• Minimum of two (2) years early childhood education experience required, including training, facilitation, and responsibilities.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered
• Ability to pass background check and drug screening
• Responsible work ethic with reliable attendance.
• Proven ability and willingness to be self-directed in problem solving and decision-making in performing job duties, and able to perform position requirements with little or no direct supervision while also working effectively as a team member.
• South Dakota Teaching Certificate in early childhood/elementary education or related specialty.
• Demonstrated intermediate level of computer skills necessary to use and create documents and reports, spreadsheets, and slide presentations.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or Google Docs/Sheets/Slides, etc.
• Must keep all matters in confidence as required by HIPAA privacy and the 42 CFR, Part II confidentiality regulations.
• Must be able to provide own transportation to meet work schedule requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

· Experience working with Native cultures and communities with strong competence in multi-cultural environments preferred.

· Knowledge or experience in Head Start program or Early Childhood program serving ages 3-5.

· Training/experience in Coaching/Mentoring teachers or serving in a Master Teacher’s position

· Graduate degree (Master’s, Specialist, or Doctorate)

· Practice-Based Coaching (PBC) | ECLKC (hhs.gov)

Specific Requirements Outlined by Federal Head Start Programs:

Competencies

45 CFR §1302.91(a) “A program must: Ensure all staff, consultants, and contractors… have sufficient knowledge, training and experience, and competencies to: fulfill the roles and responsibilities of their positions… ensure high-quality service delivery… Provide ongoing training and professional development to support staff in fulfilling their roles and responsibilities.

45 CFR §1302.92(b)(5) “Programs must establish and implement a systemic approach to staff training and professional development…the system must include research-based approaches to professional development for education staff, that are focused on: effective curricula implementation, knowledge of the content in Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five, partnering with families, supporting children with disabilities and their families, 3/5 providing effective and nurturing adult-child interactions, supporting dual language learners as appropriate, addressing challenging behaviors, preparing children and families for transitions; and, use of data to individualize learning experiences to improve outcomes for children.”

45 CFR §1302.92(c)(2) and (3) “A program must implement a research-based, coordinated coaching strategy for education staff that at minimum, provides opportunity for: intensive coaching to…education staff identified…[as benefiting most from intensive coaching] including opportunities to be observed and receive feedback and modeling of effective teaching practices directly related to program performance goals; education staff not identified for intensive coaching…to receive other forms of researchbased professional development aligned with program performance goals…”

45 CFR §1302.92(c)(4) “A program must implement a research-based, coordinated coaching strategy…that…ensures intensive coaching opportunities for [education] staff…that; align with the program’s school readiness goals, curricula, and other approaches to professional development; utilize a coach with adequate training and experience in adult learning and in using assessment date to drive coaching strategies aligned with program performance goals; provide ongoing communication between the coach, program director, education director, and any other relevant staff; and, include clearly articulated goals informed by the program’s goals…and process for achieving those goals."

Must become familiar with: Practice-Based Coaching (PBC) | ECLKC (hhs.gov)

To Apply: Send letter of interest, resume’, copy of transcripts and certification/licensure to: Dr. Morgan Deaver of the Lower Brule Community College at morgand@lowerbrulecc.org

Job Type: Contract

Pay: $30.00 - $60.00 per hour

Expected hours: 7 – 21 per week

Ability to Commute:

• Fort Thompson, SD (Required)

Work Location: In person