Mentor Coach

About PLN

Founded on Skid Row in 1980, Para Los Niños (PLN) partners with more than 10,000 children, youth, and families each year through integrated education, wellness supports and advocacy, addressing individual and systemic barriers to create pathways to success. In addition to operating early education centers, charter elementary and middle schools, youth workforce development sites and family services, PLN is the only children's mental health provider in the Skid Row neighborhood. PLN's community transformation work brings together community members, community-based organizations, city and county agencies, elected officials, and businesses to tackle issues that impact PLN families. Ninety-three percent of families served by PLN live in areas with the highest levels of food insecurity and homelessness in L.A. County.


Position Overview

The Mentor Coach supports the professional growth and instructional practice of Early Childhood teaching staff through coaching, modeling, observation, feedback, and professional learning. The Mentor Coach works directly with teachers to strengthen instructional practices, support the implementation of effective strategies, and promote continuous professional growth. In partnership with Site Leaders and the Area Education Coordinator, the Mentor Coach identifies areas of strength and opportunities for development and recommends or facilitates appropriate coaching and professional learning support for individual teachers, teaching teams, sites, or program-wide needs.


Through this work, the Mentor Coach supports the consistent implementation of effective early childhood practices that promote positive learning and developmental outcomes for children and contribute to a high-quality Early Head Start and Head Start program.


Duties

• Conducts observations and reviews relevant information to identify instructional strengths and areas for growth and inform coaching and professional learning priorities.
• Develops and facilitates coaching and professional learning activities aligned with identified needs and program priorities.
• Partners with the Area Education Coordinator and Site Leaders to identify and coordinate appropriate support for individual teachers, teaching teams, sites, or program-wide needs.
• Provides Tier II and Tier III coaching and implementation support to Early Childhood teaching staff by modeling effective practices, facilitating reflection, and supporting the application of instructional strategies in the classroom.
• Monitors the effectiveness of coaching and professional learning support, using staff progress and identifying needs to inform ongoing support.
• Maintains current knowledge of early childhood education, child development, instructional practices, and applicable program requirements, and participates in required training, supervision, meetings, and other professional activities.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics

• Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child development, or related field from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Possession of, or eligibility to obtain, a Master Teacher Permit or higher issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) within 12 months of hire.
• Completion of the Preschool Infant/Toddler Certification or six collegiate infant/toddler units within 12 months of hire.
• Completion of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) Reliability Certification within 12 months of hire and annual recertification thereafter.
• Five years of experience working in a public, charter, and/or private school setting.
• Knowledge of or familiarity with Practice-Based Coaching models and principles preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of adult learning principles and their application to the professional growth and development of teaching staff.
• Proficiency in analyzing and applying assessment and observational data to inform coaching strategies and align support with performance goals.
• Experience working with young children in a classroom or group setting, with four years of experience preferred.
• Strong judgment in identifying teaching staff strengths, areas for development, and appropriate coaching approaches based on individual and team needs.
• Utilizes Microsoft Office Suite and other business systems to perform daily administrative functions, including data entry, document management, and professional correspondence.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English are required, and we celebrate linguistic diversity, valuing the unique perspectives and strengths that multilingual team members bring to our organization.
• Travel Requirements: Up to 75% within Los Angeles County and access to reliable transportation (rideshare, bus, bike) to travel between sites.

Physical Requirements

To perform this job the individual must be able to carry out all essential functions satisfactorily.


Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Approximately 50% of time is spent sitting, while frequently required to walk, stand and bend.
• Must be able to speak and hear well.
• Good vision is imperative.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Employee will be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds without assistance.
• TB test clearance to be renewed every two years.
• Verification of Immunizations required by the California Department of Health (Pertussis, Measles and Influenza).

This job description does not encompass all essential functions and responsibilities. Para Los Niños reserves the right to modify or add to the typical duties of a position at any time.


Expectations for All Para Los Niños Staff

Candidates for employment at Para Los Niños, regardless of position, will consistently demonstrate the following:

• Unwavering belief in and commitment to fulfill the mission of Para Los Niños.
• Deep commitment to the success of all PLN students and families.
• Commitment to excellence and high standards -- for self, students, and colleagues.
• Continuous learning by engaging in reflection, self-assessment, and individual professional development.
• Use of data to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.
• Ability to thrive as a member of a collaborative team.
• Self-motivation and initiative with solutions-oriented disposition.
• Belief in and ability to develop respectful relationships with families and children informed by the students' cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations.
• Comfort with basic Microsoft Office applications and a curiosity and propensity to push own adoption of new technology and approaches.
• Regular, punctual attendance and professional appearance.

Para Los Niños is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

It is the established policy of Para Los Niños (PLN) to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief (including dress or grooming practices), color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breast feeding), age, national origin (including possessing a driver's license issued under Vehicle Code § 12801.9), ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. PLN also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.