Instructional Coach

Overview Easterseals Head Start/Early Head Start provides high-quality, family-centered education for children birth to five years old. We collaborate with 40+ early childhood programs located in the city of Chicago and suburban Cook County to promote school readiness in young children of all abilities from families with incomes below poverty guidelines. Easterseals also directly operates two Early Learning Centers in Head Start/Early Head Start in Chicago and in Hickory Hills. This position is located at the Easterseals Early Learning Services Headquarters at 1939 W. 13th Street, Chicago 60608. For more information about our organization, please visit us online at Position Instructional Coach — Primary responsibilities include implementing a research-based curriculum and coordinated coaching strategies; reviewing and analyzing education, disabilities, and mental health data to inform planning; and supporting the referral and inclusion of children with suspected and diagnosed disabilities. This role provides mentoring, coaching, and training to staff to deliver quality services. The position spends the majority of time in classrooms at sites. Major Functions / Accountabilities Implement a research-based curriculum and coordinated coaching strategies that include: Assess all education staff using a variety of tools to identify strengths, areas of needed support, and staff who would benefit most from intensive coaching. Build and maintain relationships between PEL Teacher, Easterseals staff, and partner site staff members. Provide opportunities for intensive coaching to identified education staff, including observation opportunities, feedback and modeling of effective teacher practices directly related to program performance goals. Align coaching with the program’s school readiness goals, curricula, and other approaches to professional development. Use assessment data to drive coaching strategies aligned with program performance goals. Provide ongoing communication between the coach, program director, education director, and other relevant staff. Assist in providing a process for achieving program goals. Provide opportunities for education staff not identified for intensive coaching to receive other forms of research-based professional development aligned with program performance goals. Facilitate peer learning communities, reflecting on implementation of teaching practices and how classroom climate impacts learning and growth. Facilitate lesson-planning meetings to support job-embedded professional learning for individuals or teams. Work with EHS/Head Start program sites and teaching staff to review and analyze child outcome data, home visits, parent/teacher conferences, and screenings to inform child and program planning. Provide intensive CLASS coaching to identified classrooms, aiming to improve teacher-child interactions, CLASS scores, and child outcomes. Provide coaching and modeling to teachers on effective home visits, parent/teacher conferences, and parent-child activities. Assist Education and Inclusion Leadership to provide ongoing training related to Education and Disabilities for all EHS/HS programs and sites. Support the referral process for children with suspected disabilities and social-emotional concerns and ensure full inclusion of all children in the program: Perform individual child observations for children in the referral process. Collaborate with the site team to ensure screening results are shared with parents and that re-screenings, referrals, and follow-ups are conducted as needed. Collaborate with site team to ensure timely referrals to the LEA and Early Intervention. Attend IFSP conferences, IEP conferences, and LEA meetings with parents to support families and advocate for children, helping parents understand their rights and special education law. Collaborate with social-emotional specialists to implement behavior intervention plans and model strategies. Provide CSEFEL coaching to identified classrooms. Assist teachers in modifying curriculum and individualizing lesson plans for children with disabilities based on IEP and IFSP goals. Work with EHS/Head Start staff and sites to implement an annual and ongoing outreach and recruitment plan for identifying and enrolling children with disabilities; attend playdates for children with special needs and plan transitions into and out of Head Start. Provide ongoing monitoring and support as part of the site team: Assist with monitoring EHS/HS classrooms to ensure safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environments. Participate in regular meetings to assess progress and planning for education and disabilities content areas. Assist directors and teaching staff with compliance and implementation of performance standards. Participate in Enrollment/Recruitment Campaigns, annual self-assessments, and PIR. Complete all requirements as part of the program: Maintain up-to-date calendar of visits and activities in Outlook. Attend and participate in regular team meetings. Attend relevant workshops and trainings; share information with parents, teaching staff, and other team members. All other duties as assigned. Requirements Education / Certification: Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Early Childhood Education. Certified CLASS Pre-K and Toddler Observer within 12 months of hire, including annual renewal. Experience: 3+ years teaching in an early childhood classroom; 3-5 years working with children with disabilities. Bilingual English/Spanish a plus. Familiarity with Teaching Strategies Gold and ChildPlus online systems is a plus. Infant/Toddler program experience a plus. Knowledge: Working in a Head Start program; Knowledge of CLASS; 1-year coaching experience. Vehicle / Transportation: Valid driver’s license; auto insurance; reliable vehicle. Skills / Abilities: Ability to multi-task in a high-stress environment; ability to interact with diverse personalities and communicate neutrally; problem solving; basic computer skills (Microsoft Office 365, Teams); minimum 15 hours of continuing education per year; willingness to work flexible hours to accommodate families. ADA: Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The position requires the ability to perform physical tasks and lift up to 50 pounds frequently, unless exempted by law. Benefits Outstanding Benefits Package including comprehensive healthcare (medical, dental, vision) for select plans. Employer-paid life insurance and AD&D; long-term disability; Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Up to $40,000 in eligible education reimbursement. Retirement: Automatic 3% non-elective contribution to 401(k); optional match up to 3% (total up to 6%). Work-Life Balance: 13 paid holidays; flexible PTO policy. Salary Description: $53,359 - $66,699/Annually Location: Chicago, IL #J-18808-Ljbffr Easterseals serving Chicagoland and Greater Rockford