Early Head Start Mentor Coach

Volunteers of America Southwest - El Centro, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

El Centro, CA

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations

About the position

Volunteers of America is a federally and state funded comprehensive early childhood education program with a focus on child development that includes a child's cognitive, physical and social emotional growth and development. The program fosters Family Engagement in all areas of a child's development and provides comprehensive resources to low income families in the areas of health, nutrition and community resources.

Responsibilities

• Conducts classroom visits for the purpose of observing classroom activities, teacher-child interactions and provides on-site support to teaching staff as a Mentor-Coach.
• Conducts observations using tools such as ECERS as well as classroom observations to ensure that school readiness goals for enrolled children are addressed with the appropriate individualized activities.
• Provides training and technical assistance to Center Child Development Coordinators (CDC) and teaching staff.
• May confer with teaching staff regarding child's behavioral or learning difficulties, and recommends teaching strategies to encourage learning experiences.
• Provides direction to CDC's for teaching staff development.
• Establishes effective line of communication with CDCs.
• Participates in team meetings at sites with CDC and teaching staff. May participate in other agency meetings as requested.
• Prepares and submits reports to the Director on site visits, classroom/teacher observations and center activities promptly and accurately.
• Develops and maintains a calendar of mentor-coaching activities and provides updates to Director.
• Participates in the training needs assessment for teaching staff.
• Attends trainings and meetings, as scheduled and/or assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in early childhood education or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Minimum three years' experience in teaching infant/toddlers to school age children, as well as expertise in the theories and principles of child growth and development, early childhood education and family support.
• Minimum of one year providing mentor-coaching or technical assistance to 0-5 teaching staff.
• The capacity to offer assistance to teachers in the implementation of curricula to meet the group and individual needs.
• Knowledge of Head Start goals and objectives for young children and their families.
• Ability to work effectively with a variety of adults.
• Understanding of and ability to provide training in principles of child growth and development, School Readiness.
• Understanding of various cultural backgrounds of Head Start families.
• Ability to meet physical requirements of the position per attached Physical Demand Analysis, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice-to-haves

• California Child Development Director's Permit
• Experience and Knowledge of fundamentals of Early Learning Outcomes and School Readiness goals
• Knowledge of professional development practices for early childhood educators, such as Practice Based Coaching.