Teacher​/Early Childhood Specialist​/Barnum

Early Childhood Specialist

The Early Education Center at Barnum School is seeking a highly skilled and collaborative Teacher Leader to support our integrated preschool programs, including three-year-old and four-year-old classrooms, as well as Smart Start programming. This full-time, 10-month role is designed for an experienced and respected educator who is passionate about early childhood education and inclusive practices.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide instructional coaching and guidance aligned to best practices in early childhood education, including inclusive practices for students with disabilities, multilingual learners, social-emotional development, and developmentally appropriate, play-based instruction.
• Support and collaborate with preschool staff
• Participate in and facilitate Planning and Placement Team (PPT) meetings
• Assist in the implementation and ongoing development of NAEYC accreditation efforts
• Support the onboarding and transition of students and families from Birth-to-Three into preschool programming
• Foster strong relationships with families, particularly those new to the special education process
• Ensure alignment with the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards (CT ELDS) and Connecticut Documentation and Observation for Teaching System (CTDOTS)
• Promote developmentally appropriate practices, including frameworks such as Circle of Security
• Work with building administration in the coordination of the Smart Start grant and related state meetings
• Collaborate with administration to support the hiring and coaching of staff (certified and non-certified)
• Collaborate with the administration to manage the budget for the Early Childhood program
• Coordinate the preschool application process, ensuring programs are enrolled to capacity and incoming children meet enrollment requirements
• Work with building administration to support the coordination and oversight of the Office of Early Childhood
• Collaborate with the building administration to ensure compliance with the state Early Childhood Outcomes (ECO) data
• Collaborate with building administration on staff faculty meetings and professional development
• Coordinate and support transition meetings from pre-K to kindergarten
• Coordinate, support, and manage staff supplies and ordering processes
• Partner with local preschools eg. host Cheshire Preschool Community of Practice
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the administration

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated expertise in early childhood education, particularly preschool programming
• Strong knowledge special education practices
• Experience with PPT processes and family engagement
• Familiarity with NAEYC accreditation standards, CTELDS, CTDOTS
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• CPR, First Aid, and Mandated Reporter training
• Familiarity with the birth-to-three process
• Familiarity with the BRIGANCE Diagnostic Inventory of Early Development-II
• Candidates should hold one or more of the following CSDE certifications 112, 113, 512, 061, 070, or OT/PT credentials
• CSDE certification #092 preferred but not required