Head Start Education Coordinator

Head Start Education Coordinator

The Education Coordinator supports teaching staff by providing ongoing professional development, building their teaching skills, monitoring their performance, and assisting them in applying new knowledge. This position is responsible for the education and early childhood development content area as stated in the Head Start Program Performance Standards. This includes the implementation of an early childhood curriculum and providing standards-recognized best practices in the field of early childhood education.

Essential duties and responsibilities include guiding staff through observation, coaching, mentoring, and monitoring; providing training and technical assistance to teaching staff in a supportive, instructive, and non-judgmental way. The Education Coordinator ensures the incorporation of the Creative Curriculum to fidelity; assists teaching staff in understanding and interpreting child observation data and establishing appropriate individual child goals based on knowledge of child development.

Conduct observations using CLASS, QCIT, and locally designed tools to ensure that school readiness goals for enrolled children are addressed with appropriate individualized activities.

The Education Coordinator conducts a regular visitation and follow-up cycle for all assigned classrooms that includes written communication of areas of strength and areas for improvement needed. They serve as part of a multidisciplinary team along with the Site Supervisor and Early Childhood Clinician to support effective teaching practices and optimize child outcomes. They assist teaching staff in developing a system that offers parents opportunities for enhancing their skills as first educators of their children through the use of home learning activities, family nights, planning educational activities, and providing opportunities to volunteer, attend training, etc.

The Education Coordinator observes individual children as requested by teachers and provides suggestions for behavior management and educational programming. They plan for and equip indoor and outdoor areas to meet children's developmental and safety needs in accordance with budgetary requirements in coordination with the Site Supervisor. They coordinate with the Site Supervisors and teaching staff to ensure Active Supervision and health and safety measures are being implemented in all classrooms.

They monitor individual plans for each child to include goal setting based on identified needs and prescriptions for objectives and activities to meet established goals (outcomes).

The Education Coordinator assists the Education & Disabilities Specialist in content area planning, development, operation, data management, record keeping, and monitoring. They apply Practice-Based Coaching (PBC) to deliver coaching strategies; develop coaching plans with each teacher and document progress on each visit. They ensure home visits, child screenings, referrals, and parent-teacher conferences are happening as required. They assist classroom staff in a system for maintaining an inventory of classroom materials and supplies that is checked at least annually.

They attend home visits, parent conferences, and PPT meetings when requested or as necessary.

The Education Coordinator monitors child files and data systems to ensure that data is regularly collected and entered into Child Plus and Smart Teach. They participate in weekly Selection to establish appropriate classroom placement. They assist all sites to ensure that the program transition protocol for children moving from Early Head Start into Head Start is completed in a timely manner and ensure a smooth and comfortable transition for children and their families.

They assist families, administrators, and teachers in educational and developmental continuity between Head Start services and elementary school expectations.

The Education Coordinator gives feedback to classroom staff and submits recommendations to the supervisor; provides input for teaching staff development; assists Site Supervisor in goals and objectives for professional development plans as needed. They assist Site Supervisor with classroom coverage as needed. They participate in training opportunities, state meetings, committees, and task forces as appropriate. They maintain strict confidentiality with respect to Head Start/Early Head Start children, families, and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures.

They create, foster, and maintain a positive culture and climate across the program and support the mission and vision of CREC and CREC Head Start. They ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and all federal, state, and local entities. They comply with all company policies and procedures. Other duties as assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.