Early Childhood Education Mentor/Coach

Job Description

Job Description

Description

The Early Childhood Education Mentor/Coach assists in the mentoring and training of education staff to support school readiness measures and program quality. This position provides on-site coaching for Head Start Teachers, Teacher Assistants, and/or Early Head Start Teachers, and conducts classroom observations and demonstration lessons, and provides feedback to teachers to improve teacher-child interactions and curriculum implementation that supports positive child outcomes towards school readiness.

The Early Childhood Education Mentor/Coach is responsible for promoting the mission of ABCD Head Start & Children’s Services; building an understanding of the program by communicating this mission to staff, families and the community.

This position must comply with all federal, state and local laws, regulations, standards and policies, including those of the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Massachusetts disability law (Chapter 766), Boston Family Engagement Network (BFEN) and ABCD, Inc. Head Start and Children’s Services policies and procedures.

All ABCD Head Start/Early Head Start and Children’s Services personnel who are paid to care for, or work with, children are MANDATED BY LAW to report all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF), pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119 §§ 51A – 51G. Any staff member who suspects child abuse or neglect of a child must inform his or her supervisor immediately.

The responsibilities of a particular position may support both Early Head Start and Head Start depending on the individual assignment. The specific corresponding funding allocation will be documented on the personnel payroll authorization or change of status form.

All communications are potentially sensitive and are subject to Head Start's policy on confidentiality.

Essential Duties

Classroom support and observation (Up to 50%)

• Provide technical support for beginning teachers in areas such as classroom management, individualizing curriculum, and communication with parents.
• Provide technical support to classroom teachers, as assigned, through direct coaching and mentoring of education staff to improve instructional practices and classroom quality.
• Provide regular classroom observations using the specified evidence-based tools (CLASS, ECERS-R rating scale, ITERS rating scale, etc.)
• Provide regular feedback meetings that encompass goal setting and planning to improve the quality of teaching practices.
• Analyze data from the CLASS observation tool, the ECERS-R rating scale, the ITERS rating scale, and use these to support staff in their professional development and improvement of teaching practices.
• Establish and maintain a trustful and confidential relationship with teachers.
• Model, as appropriate, innovative teaching methodologies though techniques such as team teaching and demonstration lessons.
• Generate necessary documentation to support the Preschool Education Coordinator and/or Infant/Toddler Coordinator in the monitoring of classroom quality.
• Generate any necessary feedback documents to support local program education staff.

Technical assistance and training of education staff (Up to 30%)

• Help to facilitate large group trainings for teachers during regular professional in-service days throughout the school year.
• Assist with individualized career development and quality improvement goals for teachers

Integration of strategic work plans, and component services (Up to 20%)

• Assist with the planning and monitoring of education component services under the direction of the Preschool Education Coordinator and/or Infant/Toddler Coordinator.
• Assist the Preschool Education Coordinator and/or Infant/Toddler Coordinator in analyzing classroom supports to achieve school readiness goals.
• Attend workshops, conferences, and other necessary trainings to support component goals.
• Participate as a member of all education team meetings.
• Perform other related duties as assigned from time to time.

Job Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of child development and current research-based pedagogy, curriculum resources, appropriate classroom management techniques for preschool and/or infant/toddler classrooms and reflective practices in mentor/coaching.
• Experience in conducting trainings.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Bilingual skills preferred (English/Spanish).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and with a diverse population.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, and the ability and willingness to travel on a regular basis.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major in Early Childhood Education, or related field, such as Education, Social or Behavioral Science that must include at least 18 semester hours in Early Childhood Education; at least one course in Special Education; and a certificate from MA DEEC as a Lead Teacher Preschool and/or Lead Teacher Infant/Toddler required. A minimum of two years of experience teaching preschool children and/or infants/toddlers plus two years of supervisory experience required. CLASS reliability certification and previous Head Start experience preferred.

Expected Salary: $62,000 USD. Due to funding restrictions, team parity, and our strong focus on equity, this salary is thoughtfully aligned with the duties expected for this role and cannot be negotiated.