Early Literacy Coach & Staff Development Lead

YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta; Decatur (GA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta is seeking an Instructional Support Coach to lead literacy initiatives and support early childhood educators. You will provide resources, coach teachers, and help implement evidence-based practices across Birth‑to‑Five programs at the YMCA South DeKalb Early Learning Center.

The role emphasizes data-informed decisions, collaboration, and ongoing professional development to advance language and literacy outcomes for young children.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in reading, early childhood education, special education, or related field.
• 1+ years of prior preschool/pre‑K teaching experience
• Knowledge in the use of a range of effective strategies, analyze instruction, and provide clear, specific information on strategy implementation
• Valid GA provisional teacher certification with documented reading coursework
• Experience and skill as a coach or mentor for adults on literacy‑related topics
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Deep understanding of scientifically based research in early language and literacy development and evidence‑based practices for teaching early language and literacy and assessing student progress toward achievement of benchmarks as documented through WSS rubrics and guidelines
• Hands on experience with utilizing data to make informed decisions

Responsibilities

• Provide resources and training to school or center staff on scientifically based early language and literacy research and evidence-based practices.
• Coach classroom lead and assistant teachers on implementation with fidelity of core, supplemental, and intensive intervention approaches for birth to five early language and literacy development and use of data from valid assessments for instructional decisions.
• Provide support for implementation of the core curricular program and approaches selected by program directors, working with publishers as necessary.
• Establish and oversee a peer mentoring support network for teachers to visit classrooms and observe practices.
• Redeliver literacy content or advanced seminar content to birth to five teachers and lead study groups to discuss research and best practices.
• Act as a catalyst for building a school/center learning community focusing on integrated learning and cross-classroom connections.
• Lead and coordinate the school/center assessment team and administer literacy assessments for screening, progress monitoring, diagnostic, and outcomes.
• Coach teachers on administration and interpretation of assessment data to determine progress and grouping needs.
• Become familiar with in-depth diagnostic measures or additional assessments used in early education.
• Review core, supplemental, and intensive intervention materials for alignment with the literacy initiative.
• Organize and lead school/center and regional professional development to disseminate literacy content.
• Meet regularly with Senior Director of Early Learning Education and peers to assess progress and adjust elements.
• Assist in analyzing literacy strengths and weaknesses and plan to improve student achievement.
• Create an atmosphere of trust and collaboration to promote professional growth in language and literacy.
• Attend professional development and networking meetings for Literacy Initiative Coaches.
• Support implementation of Early Learning Signature Programs to ensure high quality.
• Assist in meeting School Readiness Goals.
• Assist in creating administrative systems supporting high-quality Early Childhood Education programs.
• Conduct CLASS Assessments Sweeps.
• Review posted lesson plans during RRFTS site visits.
• Collect and enter Head Start education tracking forms.
• Support Education Managers with providing teaching staff with additional support regarding classroom needs.

Skills

Literacy development

Coaching adults

Data-driven instruction

Interpersonal communication

Education

Bachelors in reading/ECED

GA provisional teaching cert

Job description

YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta is seeking an Instructional Support Coach to lead literacy initiatives and support early childhood educators. You will provide resources, coach teachers, and help implement evidence-based practices across Birth‑to‑Five programs at the YMCA South DeKalb Early Learning Center.

The role emphasizes data-informed decisions, collaboration, and ongoing professional development to advance language and literacy outcomes for young children.