Early Childhood Coach

Community Action Agencies; Battle Creek (MI); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Action Agency South Central Michigan seeks a program educator to support Head Start/GSRP classrooms with coaching, training, and data-informed planning. You will work with Center Manager and specialists to improve instructional quality and family engagement across sites.

The role emphasizes coaching, staff development, and ensuring compliance with program standards, including CLASS observations and child outcomes reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education or related field with 18 hours in early childhood development.
• Master’s in Early Childhood Education preferred.
• 1–3 years of progressive early childhood education or special education experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide coaching of early childhood education techniques to enhance classroom performance.
• Coordinate with Center Manager and other specialists to support staff.
• Develop and implement a training matrix for classroom staff.
• Ensure an effective child assessment system and use data to inform program planning.
• Maintain CLASS certification and conduct observations in fall and spring.

Skills

Coaching

Leadership

Communication

Training

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education

Master's in Early Childhood Education

Tools

Internet

ChildPlus

Microsoft Office

Job description

Community Action Agency South Central Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer (Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans). To read more about this, view the EEO - Know Your Rights poster.

Assist in classrooms when needed and follow classroom guidelines and rules regarding children.

Assist in the recruitment of children and families to our HS/EHS/GSRP programs.

Provides the Center Manager’s with staff and children classroom educational needs for budget planning for EHS/Head Start/GSRP programs.

Collaborates with Content Area Specialists to design program goals and objectives, develop and review policies, procedures and systems to ensure the implementation of a high quality program.

Assist in ensuring that educational materials and direction are inclusive to all children.

Approach coaching from a positive strength-based perspective.

Observe classrooms to use information on how best to support and coach the classroom staff.

Responsible to coordinate with Center Manager and collaborate with other content area specialist in providing follow up support to staff for identified areas of concern as a result of information gathered from classroom observations.

Provides coaching of relevant early childhood education techniques to enhancing classroom performance and outcomes.

Completes classroom observation assessment list for each assigned classroom prior to children attending.

Completes and submits program required coaching forms to Center Manager weekly

Collaborates with classroom staff to determine steps for achieving his/her coaching goals.

Develop and implement a training matrix for classroom staff and communicates matrixes with Center Manager.

Ensures that an appropriate ongoing child assessment system is fully implemented, relevant training is provided to staff, and that Head Start and Great Start Readiness Program “Child Outcomes” information is used to inform program planning and program quality improvement.

Establishes and maintains a positive, effective working relationship with staff and families of varying educational and cultural backgrounds.

Gathers, analyzes and supply reports of child outcomes data to ensure appropriate measures are in place to prepare children to enter kindergarten and/or meet their developmental needs to Center Manager and program Co-Directors.

Required to maintain CLASS certification and conduct CLASS observations in the fall and spring of each school year.

Within the first month of the school year, review staff needs assessment and initial observation to establish a coaching cycle with Center Manager.

Monitor on-going documentation, including assessment, on children’s progress as determined by program.

Responsible to keep assigned work area or classroom clean and assist in facility checks and miscellaneous housekeeping duties as assigned by direct supervisor.

Sign coaching agreement with staff.

Utilize CLASS results and observations (including mental health and disabilities), and other data to guide best practices.

Participate in the annual program self-assessment and continuous quality improvement initiatives of the overall program.

Participate in the required monitoring scheduleofcentersand/or individual classroomsto ensure quality of educational services are being met andwork with Center Manger to ensurestaff compliance oftherequirements of the programregulations and theagency's policies and procedures.

Provide input to ECS Leadership regarding resources, materials and equipment needed for quality programming.

Plan for and provide professional development trainings to staff.

Provide written documentation and description of training in preparation for entering in to MiRegistry.

Responsible to keep assigned work area or classroom clean and assist in facility checks and miscellaneous housekeeping duties as assigned by direct supervisor.

Serve as a program consultant in area of education, providing individualized technical assistance for each Head Start/GSRP classroom.

Comply with Agency’s Mission, Vision and Culture Statements.

Comply with program and Agency policies and procedures.

All other duties as assigned by supervisor or management.

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk, bend, stoop and kneel, see andhear, use hands and arms to lift up to 60 lbs. and walk around the classroom, outdoor play areaand school facilities.
• Work is performed in a classroom setting and school environment where the noise level is moderate. The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications & Education:

Education: Minimum of a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education or related field as defined in the Michigan Licensing qualifications with a minimum of 18 hours of coursework in early childhood development. Master’s in Early Childhood Education or related field as defined in the Michigan Licensing qualifications with a minimum of 18 hours of coursework in early childhood development is preferred.

Experience:

• Between one and three years of progressively more responsible early childhood education and/or special education experience. Proven track record with early childhood. Programming with emphasis on children ages 3-5.
• Exposure to Head Start and GSRP Programs.
• Experience with families in preschool or childcare.
• Experience in Head Start programs and exposure to the Head Start philosophy preferred.
• Experience with best practices for early childhood and family centered services, including curriculum, anti-bias classroom practices, classroom observation techniques, child and adult learning styles.
• Familiarity with ADA and IDEA requirements as well as other applicable regulations related to the provision of services in the area of disabilities is required.

Professional Competence and Job Knowledge:

• Must be reliable, trustworthy and have good attendance.
• Must have demonstrated knowledge of developmentally appropriate best practices
• Must have excellent leadership skills.
• Must have excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Must have intermediate to advanced level skills with the Internet, ChildPlus, and Microsoft Office.
• Must have knowledge and expertise necessary to plan, prepare and deliver quality training
• Must have knowledge and/or training in coaching
• Must have sound independent judgment and decision making skills.
• Must have the ability to create and maintain satisfactory working relationships with staff, families and administration.
• Must possess knowledge of early childhood curricula and implementation with fidelity