Coordinator - Early Learning (PreK - 3)

Coordinator Of Early Learning (Prek–3)

Forbes named Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years. East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.

Employment Type: Full time

Base Salary: $79,803

Pay Grade: Certified II

Calendar: 12 month position, 261 workdays

Benefits: Vacation, sick leave, holidays, matched retirement through Arizona State Retirement System, health, life insurance

Performance Pay: Available annually

New Hire Salary with Experience and Education: Teacher base salary + $500 for each full-time year of certified or verified like experience. $65/hour of graduate level credits: BA +45 hours max, MA +60 hours max, $1000 for an advanced degree

Current Employee Salary: Current certified salary/teacher calendar OR Certified I, II or III +/- difference (see MEA working conditions)

New Hire/Current Employee: Add an additional $18,143

Job Summary: The Coordinator of Early Learning (PreK–3) provides district-level leadership to ensure alignment, coherence, and quality across Mesa Public Schools' early learning continuum. This position supports the design, implementation, and monitoring of early learning programs and instructional practices that prepare students to thrive within Mesa Public Schools' Portrait of a Graduate. The coordinator collaborates with principals, teachers, specialists, and regional teams to ensure that early learning experiences from preschool through grade three are developmentally appropriate, rigorous, and aligned to district instructional priorities and Arizona Standards.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide districtwide leadership in developing and sustaining high-quality early learning programs that ensure school readiness and early literacy and numeracy success.
• Collaborate with district, regional, and school leaders to align preschool through third grade curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices.
• Serve as the district liaison with the Arizona Department of Education and external partners regarding early learning initiatives and compliance requirements.
• Support regional directors and coordinators in implementing early learning goals across all regions.

Curriculum & Instruction

• Lead the development and alignment of early learning curriculum and instructional resources to state standards and Mesa Public Schools' instructional frameworks.
• Ensure the integration of high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) that address early literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional development.
• Support continuous improvement of early learning instructional practices through modeling, coaching, and professional collaboration.

Professional Learning

• Plan and facilitate professional learning for preschool and early elementary teachers, instructional coaches, and leaders focused on developmentally appropriate practices, instructional strategies, and science of learning.
• Partner with the Professional Learning & Learning Technology Coordinator to ensure alignment of early learning professional learning.
• Support ongoing development of instructional assistants and paraprofessionals working in early childhood classrooms.
• Remain informed on emerging trends, research, and policies in foundational literacy and numeracy.

Data-Informed Decision-Making

• Support the use of early learning data to inform instructional decisions.
• Collaborate with the Learning Acceleration & Enrichment Specialist to align intervention supports for early learners.
• Monitor early learning outcomes and provide reports on program effectiveness.

Coordination & Compliance

• Collaborate with site administrators overseeing preschool programs to monitor program quality and alignment to district expectations.
• Oversee the adherence to Move On When Reading requirements, including submission of annual plans and use of appropriate instructional resources.
• Oversee the process of early admission to kindergarten including placement screening and reporting requirements.

Family & Community Engagement

• Collaborate with schools and community partners to strengthen family engagement and transitions between preschool and kindergarten.
• Represent Mesa Public Schools at community and state-level early learning events, advisory councils, and working groups.

General

• Perform other duties as assigned to support Mesa Public Schools' academic goals and Portrait of a Graduate.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in education, early childhood education, curriculum and instruction, or a related field.
• Valid Arizona Department of Education teaching certificate with SEI endorsement.
• Minimum of three years of successful classroom teaching experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of early learning or intervention practices.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Early Childhood Education, Birth-Grade 3 Certificate or Endorsement.
• Master's degree in education, leadership, or administration.
• Leadership experience in early learning or specialized programming.
• Experience in program coordination, curriculum development, or professional learning facilitation.

Skills & Competencies:

• Deep understanding of early childhood development, literacy acquisition, and instructional practices that promote early success.
• Knowledge of the legal and licensing requirements for preschool programming.
• Ability to lead system alignment across preschool, kindergarten, and primary grade levels.
• Understanding of the state laws, district policies, and compliance requirements associated with curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
• Ability to design and implement assessment for learning, including performance assessments.
• Understanding of personalized learning practices and strategies to promote student agency.
• Skill in designing and facilitating professional learning that builds capacity among adults. Ability to use data to inform instruction and evaluate program effectiveness.
• Skill in analyzing and interpreting student data to inform instructional decisions.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills to build capacity across district teams.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Commitment to ensuring rigorous academic outcomes for all students.
• Models the essential attitudes and skills of Mesa Public Schools' Portrait of a Graduate.
• Knowledge of instructional design, assessment, intervention frameworks, and progress monitoring tools.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data to guide program improvement.
• Strong facilitation and collaboration skills for working with educators and leaders across grade levels.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Technologically fluent with Microsoft, Google Workspace, Canvas, and related platforms to support data and communication.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Adaptability and creativity in responding to the evolving needs of educators and students.
• Deep knowledge of applicable state laws, district policies, and compliance requirements.
• Ability to identify needs, determine interventions, and assess with progress monitoring tools.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Primarily office-based with frequent district site visits.
• Occasional evening or weekend commitments.
• Fast-paced, high-stakes environment requiring adaptability and responsiveness.
• Ability to remain seated for extended periods.
• Frequent use of hands for typing and handling documents.
• Occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 10 pounds regularly and up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• Visual acuity for reading and computer work.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.