Early Childhood Coach (Bright Beginnings Program)

SALARY: $58-60K

OVERVIEW:

Seeking an Early Childhood Coach for our Bright Beginnings Program with expertise in strategies for maintaining high-quality standards within early childhood settings. The Coach will demonstrate an understanding of early childhood development from ages zero to five, continuous quality improvement, and the impact of early childhood education (ECE) on student and family trajectories. This integral role will work with external ECE partners and local childcare centers to expand access to high-quality early childhood programming. The Coach will also partner with childcare directors and teachers to provide training and technical assistance to ensure effective coordination, implementation, and monitoring of childcare centers participating in the Bright Beginnings program.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Provides coaching and professional development for Early Childhood Directors and Teachers. Manages a portfolio of early childcare education centers, located in United Way of Greater Houston’s four county service area, prioritizing individual educator and child needs to meet program outcomes. Provides guidance to educators in executing the Reggio Emilia Approach in an ECE classroom environment that leads to positive child outcomes. Assists with developing classroom improvement plans in partnership with childcare center teachers and directors to support high quality child outcomes. Conducts individualized professional development on ongoing basis to providers, and other training to meet program goals.

Monitors investments and promotes excellent program service. Conducts bi-monthly center and home-based site and/or virtual observations to support NAEYC accreditation standards and developmentally appropriate practices. Works with center staff and external assessors, to conduct and support teachers in their creation of CLASS© assessments and classroom baselines. Develops CLASS© action plans and partners with Director and staff with the implementation of the action plan. Provides support to Child Development Associate (CDA) candidates through completion of credential. Provides support to Director and staff through NAEYC accreditation process. Provides one-to-one reflective strategies utilizing Touchpoints model.

Serves as subject matter expert in early childhood education.  Develops expertise of initiative partners by planning trainings, sharing information, and other activities. Develops and maintains current information on needs of community as well as best practices to address needs. Develops in-depth understanding of community resources through research, involvement in community planning and advocacy groups and other activities. Uses knowledge to make recommendations about funding priorities, new activities, and direction. Participates in community collaborations, partnerships, and national and state organizations involved in community impact work, identifying appropriate roles for United Way. Conducts regular surveys of the national best practices and determines likelihood of successful implementation in greater Houston region.

Other activities in support of United Way, Community Impact and Community Investment: Conducts outreach as needed to communicate services available through early childhood initiatives and ensures program information is regularly updated on agency website and with 2-1-1 Texas/United Way HELPLINE.  Compiles and assists in communicating outcomes and results of funded programs to the community and other areas of United Way, including the Donor Relations and Brand/Marketing departments. Provide support to other efforts that advance the goals of United Way Mission and Strategy such as: presentations, tours and trainings to service providers, donors, and potential clients, community conversations, reporting results and promotion of key initiative activities. Performs other related duties or special assignments in support of the United Way.

Other: Performs special assignments and other work, on an as-needed basis. A willingness to take on additional duties to ensure the success of the team is essential. Evening and weekend work might be required.