Description:

Whitney Young Jr Campus (C.S. 211) (1919 Prospect Ave)

$78,000 - $87,000

Position Summary:

Early Childhood (EC) Division at Children’s Aid (CA) is founded on the belief that strong communities are built by children and families who have the access and skills and choice to create pathways to their success. The Early Childhood Department serves over 700 low-income children ages 0-5 and their families in schools and community centers throughout Manhattan, Staten Island and the Bronx through a combination of Federal, State and City funding. We believe that strong communities are built by children and families who have access, skills and choice to create pathways to their success.

The site’s Education Director will ensure that all children reach developmentally appropriate milestones through the implementation of evidence-based curricula, individualized support and high-quality learning environments. By leading the Educational Support at their site, the Education Director will focus on making sure that all the children and families will be ready to be successful in Kindergarten and in life, while ensuring that all Head Start Performance Standards and site-specific funding regulations are met or exceeded.

Responsibilities:

With the support of the Deputy Director of Early Childhood and Central EC Leadership Team, each Early Childhood Education Director is responsible for the following at his/her site:

Curriculum and Instruction

• Promote high-quality teaching and learning in the classroom through full implementation of CAS Early Childhood curriculum, assessment, policies/procedures and tools that lead to children’s school readiness.
• Develop and maintain a high-quality, safe and nurturing environment in which children develop trusting and accepting relationships with adults and peers that foster growth and development.
• Execute a developmentally appropriate and integrated curriculum which provides opportunities for children’s meaningful exploration.
• Work with teachers to implement the child assessment system reliably, including understanding child outcomes data and using them to plan and individualize.

Leadership & Governance

• Provide leadership and supervision for all teaching staff. Directly supervise Lead Teacher’s, Assistant Teacher’s and Teacher’s Aide’s. Leadership may be provided through the following:
• Supporting teachers with lesson plans and curriculum implementation
• Scheduling, selecting and/or facilitating in-service/staff development trainings and workshops
• Holding parent meetings related to educational supports
• Observe, coach and work with teachers to implement program curriculum with fidelity.
• Meet regularly with staff and parents.
• Share highlights of families, kids, staff, and community partners; Educate and engage our online social media community with the EC Instagram committee.

Family Engagement

• Build and foster trusting partnerships with families; serve as a role model for these types of relationships for staff.
• Facilitate meetings with families when there are outstanding developmental or behavioral needs with children.

Record Maintenance, Screening and Assessment

• Monitor and review developmental screens to ensure all are completed within 45 days of a child’s first day of service with the program, and make recommendations for re-screen, referral, and individualized planning
• Monitor child observations through an on-line database.
• Observe students as part of the internal referral process to determine interim plans and service referral needs
• Utilize the Internal Referral form to document interim plans and to request for central office support
• Continuously review and update COPA as applicable

Program Design, Management and Supervision

• Coordinate programmatic supports for all children with an IEP/IFSP and those children with suspected disabilities
• Responsibly manage training and classroom supply budgets

Professional Development

• Collaborate with the Program Director and Central Support staff in planning, coordinating, and implementing a wide range of diverse, applicable, and creative professional development opportunities for all staff.
• Participate in all agency offered trainings, workshops, in-service days, and/or all-staff conferences.
• Including becoming Infant, Toddler and Pre-K CLASS Reliable within one year of on-boarding, and maintain CLASS Reliability on an Annual basis.
• Maintain certification requirements and proof of attendance in professional activities.
• Support the growth of the center including participating in program-wide goal setting and individual and program self-assessment.
• Adhere to all state and city licensing requirements, teacher child/ratios, and CPR/first aid, Child Abuse Mandate, Foundations for Health and Safety, Blood Borne Infection and Mental Health First Aid certification.
• Maintain Active Membership with Aspire and “Registered” status with TEACH Account, both linked to CA.

Health and Safety

• Adhere to all state and city licensing requirements, teacher child/ratios, and CPR/first aid certification Child Abuse Mandate, Foundations for Health and Safety, Blood Born Infection and Mental Health First Aid
• Maintain a safe and healthy environment for children, families and staff.

Qualifications:

• Must have at least one of the following New York State Professional/Permanent Teaching Certifications: Early Childhood (Birth - Grade 2); Nursery, Kindergarten and Grades 1-6; Prekindergarten - Grade 6 certification; or Students with Disabilities (Birth - Grade 2); if the Certification is Initial and not Permanent, a Study Plan will be set-up at point of hire with a timeline towards obtaining Permanent Certification
• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s preferred. Degree(s) must be in a specific field of Education (Early Childhood, Elementary, Special Education, etc.)
• Must have 2-5 years of teaching experience
• 1-2 years of supervisory experience preferred
• At least 2 years’ experience working with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and children with Special Needs
• Must hold Infant, Toddler and Pre-K CLASS “Reliability” Certificate or obtain “Reliability” within 1 year of employment
• Bilingual preferred
• Strong administrative skills are required
• Excellent communication and computer skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Commitment to professional development for themselves and their staff
• Obtain certifications in CPR, First Aid and Mental Health and pass all background clearances

Requirements: