Description
JOIN THE ECS4Kids TEAM
At ECS4Kids (formerly Episcopal Children’s Services), we honor young children’s immense potential by helping them enter school ready to learn. We cultivate lifelong learners by immersing children in enriching guided experiences and discovery-oriented approaches. Through programs like Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK), Head Start, School Readiness, Child Care Resource & Referral (CCRR), and more, our dedicated professionals work with families and caregivers throughout Florida to promote children’s well-being. These enable us to strengthen key areas including motor development, cognitive development, social and emotional development, language and communication skills, and problem-solving skills.
Partner with us to help empower communities to rise above generational poverty with comprehensive early childhood education and holistic family support. We have career opportunities available in several counties throughout Northeast and Central Florida.
ECS4Kids offers a competitive benefit package which includes:
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- 403(b) plan with 5% employer match
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Long-term & short-term disability insurance
- Employer-paid life insurance
- Paid holidays
- Generous paid time off
- Career development
- Qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The Education Specialist provides training, modeling, and curriculum support to ensure that Head Start and Early Head Start classrooms are meeting the highest level of quality.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Visit HS/EHS classrooms at assigned centers daily to conduct coaching sessions that include on-site modeling and teacher observations of appropriate early educational practices and activities using the adopted coaching model.
- Establish mentoring relationships with teachers that will result in further improvement of developmentally appropriate teaching skills.
- Model best practices and strategies in all domains of the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework and Head Start Performance Standards.
- Model, demonstrate, and observe Infant, Toddler and Pre-K CLASS dimensions during classroom visits.
- Implement the adopted coaching model with fidelity, including implementing a reflective questioning process to guide teachers to connect theory to daily practice and the use of data displays.
- Support teachers in implementing the adopted curriculum with fidelity.
- Support teachers in developing engaging curriculum activities and routines for whole groups, small groups, and individuals that produce positive school readiness outcomes for children.
- Support teachers in collecting and analyzing child assessment data to develop lesson plans and activities to support children’s growth and development.
- Support teachers in using teacher observation data to select focus areas and create goals for improved teaching practices that lead to improved child outcomes.
- Support teachers in creating literacy-rich, developmentally appropriate, engaging learning environments.
- Assist in the monitoring of child portfolios, weekly lesson plans, and individualized lessons to ensure compliance, timeliness, and quality.
- Assist in the evaluation of classrooms using the CLASS teacher evaluation assessment and provide support to Center Managers and teachers in the use of ITERS, ECERS, and other classroom monitoring tools.
- Communicate with Center Managers regarding teacher goals for improved performance.
- Support the Training Team in planning, creating, and providing training at monthly Teacher Training Days and Pre-Service.
- Attend required workshops and in-service trainings to keep informed of current trends and new professional techniques related to early childhood development.
- Advocate on behalf of Episcopal Children’s Services Head Start/ Early Head Start and children and families involved in the program.
(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other related marginal duties as required.)
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP:
- This position reports to the Education Manager.
Requirements
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- A baccalaureate in Early Childhood Education with advanced degree preferred
- A baccalaureate or advanced degree in education that includes ages K through 6, with 15 credit hours in early childhood education courses
- A baccalaureate or advanced degree in any field with 45 credit hours in early childhood education courses
- At least three years teaching experience with preschool age preferred
- Head Start experience preferred
- Creative Curriculum, Teaching Strategies Gold, and CLASS experience preferred
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of current practices in early childhood education with an emphasis in teacher-child interactions and using curriculum and assessments to plan and individualize
- Ability to articulate and model best teaching instructional strategies and practices.
- Ability to motivate teachers to high levels of commitment and performance
- Ability to establish relationships of mutual trust and respect with support staff, site coordinators and teaching staff
- Ability to perform with little direct supervision
- Knowledge of applicable safety and abuse-reporting procedures
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office products at an intermediate to advanced level
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
- Ability to maintain confidential information
- Ability to plan and organize work as well as maintain records, analyze data and prepare reports
- Ability to present in front of large group audiences
LICENSES, CERTIFICATION OR REGISTRATIONS:
- Valid driver’s license and proof of automobile coverage
- Satisfactory Driving Record (as outlined in Vehicle Driving Policy)
- CLASS and TS Gold certification in Infant, Toddler & Preschool within 60 days of employment
- Coaching certification within 6 months of employment
- Complete a minimum of 15 hours of in-service training annually, July 1- June 30
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
- Works in early childhood classroom settings
- Ability to lead large group trainings
- Travel to multiple sites is required
- Some nights and weekends for special events and training may be required
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:
- Acceptable eyesight (with or without correction)
- Acceptable hearing (with or without correction)
- Ability to communicate both orally and in writing
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
(Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability)
