Education Coordinator

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description Summary

: The

Education Coordinator

reports directly to the

Director of Educational Services

. The Education Coordinator serves as a site coordinator for all Early Head Start or Head Start Centers and partnership sites. Work is of a nature that requires extensive development, training and evaluation of staff and parents regarding educational programs and curriculum, to include students with special needs and with behavioral plans; the capacity to aid teachers in the implementation and adaptation of curricula to the group. Assess individual needs of children in centers and develop, revise, implement, and monitor written component plans.

Position Requirements Summary

: Education & Experience: Required:

Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field. Experience:

4 years preschool teaching experience. 2years of experience in the Mental Health Service or Special Education field

preferred. Experience in personnel management is required. Working experience and knowledge in Head Start and Early Head Start, and non-profit setting is preferred. Must have a demonstrated successful record in managing services and programs, and achieving program deliverables and outcomes, and program compliance. Experience in program implementation desired. Must be able to interpret and train others regarding federal and state regulations. Must be able to develop, coordinate, and follow through on projects. Must have strong/excellent writing skills. Preferred: CLASS Certification.

Technical Skills: Good math and analytical skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, or other software applications to retrieve data, spreadsheets creation, and reporting.

Professional Standards: Must always maintain confidentiality.

Communication Skills: Ability to communicate effectively, appropriately, and professionally in both written and verbal formats with coworkers, supervisors, customers, and vendors.

Responsibilities and Duties

: Ensure compliance with all Education and Early Childhood Development Performance Standards, to include the Blueprint for Maryland requirements and Maryland Department of Education (Licensing). Thoroughly review the Head Start Performance Standards relating to the education and early childhood development work plan. Develop goals, objectives, and strategies to ensure that these standards are implemented.

Coordinate State Accreditation of all Classrooms. Provide orientation for the State Self-Assessment. Provide technical assistance to classroom staff. Submit final accreditation package and program improvement plan to Maryland State Department of Education. Attend State and center accreditation meeting. Lead the process to obtain higher level MD Excels for each center.

Provide component orientation and training to staff and parents. Attend center parent committee meetings as requested to provide an orientation to parents on the education component. Develop training plans for teachers and teacher assistants to include:

Developmentally appropriate practices. Curriculums, including creative curriculum. Social/emotional development and behavior management techniques. Assessment and individualization, including Work Sampling. Classroom structure and lesson planning. Lead the School Readiness Leadership Team and maintain documentation and

required paperwork update annually.

Monitor the effectiveness of Education and Early Childhood Development throughout the program. Observe each classroom, within 30 days for new Teachers, within 90 days for returning teachers. Maintain documentation regarding classroom observations. Clarify recommendations and expectations for improvement. Coordinate with the Director of Educational Services for follow-up observations to ensure the changes needed have been made. Develop tracking systems for monitoring EECD services. Review education files for quality of Individual Child Plans. Report on results and concerns to Director of Educational Services. Ensure Compliance with OHS Transitional Comprehensive Review (Focus Area 1 and Focus Ares 2).

Coordinate with Director of Educational Services to assure that Education and Early Childhood Development services are implemented at each center. Review EECD policies and processes at central office staff meetings. Participate in Content Area Team (CAST) meetings for each center to review child and classroom concerns. Participate in the program self-assessment and program improvement plan. Participate in developing and implementing strategic plan goals, objectives, and strategies. Submit requested monthly data and reports. Monitor fiscal allocations and oversee classroom purchasing.

Collaborate with other agencies to ensure optimal services for children. Establish collaboration with the early childhood specialist in each county school district. Attend early childhood coordination meetings in each county. Sit on advisory boards as possible. Establish collaboration with the Child Find and special needs services coordinator in the county school district. Assist in developing MOUs with the school district to clarify coordination with Child Find and special needs services. Attend early childhood coordination meetings. Plan and conduct three Education/Disabilities advisory meetings annually. Collaborate with public school staff to facilitate a smooth transition of children with special needs and their parents into the school system.

School Readiness Plan

Review and/or revise disability and mental health component plan annually and obtain approval of Policy Council. Thoroughly review the Head Start Performance Standards relating to the disabilities and mental health work plans. Develop goals, objectives, and strategies to ensure that these standards are implemented. Cross-reference the Performance Standards and the work plans. Review the work plans and Performance Standards with teachers and Policy Council.

Ensure appropriate services and accommodation are provided for children with IEP’s or behavior concerns. Observe each classroom as requested but at least twice each year. Develop behavioral plans for children. Assign special services aids, when available, to classrooms to support behavioral plans. Attend and participate in monthly CAST meetings for each center. Serve as a resource person for parents and staff. Make home visits as needed. Provide training and support to staff and parents, including ASQ Screening process and each staff thoroughly trained on the behavior intervention plan.

Coordinate referrals to mental health professionals and Child Find for diagnosis and treatment. Develop and monitor contracts with a mental health consultant annually. Refer children as appropriate and follow-up on referrals. Ensure appropriate staff attendance at all IEP meetings. Ensure that children receive needed services. Document changes in IEP’s or services. Report disabilities and mental health referral and services data each month. Coordinate and track Brigance assessments.

Coordinate with Director of Educational Services to ensure that Disabilities and Mental Health services are implemented at each center. Review Disabilities and Mental Health policies and processes at central office staff meetings. Participate in CAST meetings for each county to review child and classroom concerns. Participate in the program self-assessment and program improvement plan. Participate in developing and implementing strategic plan goals, objectives, and strategies. Submit requested monthly data and reports. Monitor fiscal allocations. Supervise Teachers and Teacher Assistants.

Other duties as assigned.

Licenses or Certificates

: CLASS Certification within six months of employment, and medical administration required. MSDE OCC Director qualification required or ability to obtain within six months. CPR and First Aid certification required.

Special Requirements

: State and Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Background Check. National Sex Offender Public Registry Check Physical examination and Tuberculin PPD Tine Test at hire and annually. Pre-employment, random, and post-accident drug and alcohol testing.

Physical Demands: Effort Level:

Moderate physical effort Requirements:

Ability to lift preschool children or up to 50 lbs. unassisted. Active participation in progr