Arkansas Early Childhood Curriculum Program Specialist

Dawson Education Service Cooperative•Little Rock, AR

About The Position

The Early Childhood Curriculum Program Specialist supports statewide implementation of curriculum, instructional quality initiatives, and educator support activities to strengthen early childhood classroom practices across Arkansas. As a member of the Office of Early Childhood curriculum team, the Specialist works under the direction of the Early Childhood Curriculum Program Supervisor to provide training, coaching, technical assistance, and implementation support related to the Pre-K RISE Initiative. The position supports implementation of Launchpad, LETRS for Early Childhood (EC), and an Early Childhood Comprehensive Curriculum aligned to the Arkansas Child Development and Early Learning Standards (AR CDELS). It also supports implementation of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) observation framework and related efforts to improve instructional quality and child outcomes in early childhood programs throughout Arkansas. The Specialist works directly with educators, administrators, local lead organizations, and other stakeholders to strengthen curriculum implementation, instructional practices, and classroom environments. Professional development and coaching cover high-quality instructional materials, developmentally appropriate practices, literacy development, and instructional quality. Support is delivered through in-person and virtual learning, site visits, and regional meetings. The role contributes to curriculum resources, implementation tools, guidance documents, and professional learning materials; supports communication and coordination among stakeholders; and participates in statewide meetings, workgroups, and collaborative initiatives. The Specialist collects information about training, coaching, and implementation activities, assists in monitoring program progress and effectiveness, prepares reports, maintains documentation, and supports continuous improvement efforts. The position involves statewide training, coaching, technical assistance, and implementation support and may require periodic travel within Arkansas. It works closely with the Arkansas Department of Education Office of Early Childhood, Early Childhood Regional Specialists, local lead organizations, public school districts, community-based providers, and other partners.

Responsibilities

Provide training, coaching, technical assistance, and implementation support related to the Pre-K RISE Initiative, curriculum, instructional quality, and professional learning.
Support implementation of Launchpad, LETRS for Early Childhood (EC), and an Early Childhood Comprehensive Curriculum aligned to AR CDELS.
Work with educators and program leaders to strengthen curriculum implementation, instructional practices, and classroom environments.
Provide professional development and coaching on high-quality instructional materials, developmentally appropriate practices, literacy development, and instructional quality.
Deliver training and technical assistance through in-person sessions, virtual learning opportunities, site visits, and regional meetings.
Support statewide implementation of the CLASS observation framework, including training activities, observation supports, calibration efforts, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
Collaborate with educators and program leaders to strengthen teacher-child interactions and instructional practices aligned with program quality goals.
Assist in developing, reviewing, and disseminating curriculum resources, implementation tools, guidance documents, and professional learning materials.
Identify and share effective practices that support high-quality early childhood instruction.
Support communication and coordination among early childhood stakeholders and participate in statewide meetings, workgroups, and collaborative initiatives.
Collect information about training, coaching, and implementation activities; assist in monitoring program progress and effectiveness; prepare reports; maintain required documentation; and support continuous improvement efforts.
Coordinate and work with the Arkansas Department of Education Office of Early Childhood, Early Childhood Regional Specialists, local lead organizations, public school districts, community-based providers, and other partners.