Educational Leader

Mississippi State University (MS)•Starkville, MS

41d

About The Position

This position will serve as the educational lead for one center in the Head Start program. Throughout its history, Mississippi State University-Extension has demonstrated a deep and abiding commitment to programs that directly impact young children and their families. In the past decade, MSU-Extension has distinguished itself as Mississippi's premier infrastructural support of high-quality early childhood education.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or field related to children and families.
Two years' of experience directly related to the following:
Experience teaching in an early childhood setting
Experience managing an infant/toddler or preschool program
Experience with collaborations and community partnerships
Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
Physical exam and background checks are required for this position.
An equivalent combination of related education and related experience may be considered for this position.
Ability to interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
Demonstrated computer literacy skills, using MS Office applications and other basic data systems including internet navigation.
Must be honest, dependable and able to meet deadlines.
Self-motivated and able to work independently.
Knowledgeable of MS Child Care Licensing Standards and Head Start Performance Standards
Knowledgeable of CLASS
Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.)
Ability to stand, walk, and bend.
Ability to engage in repetitive movement of wrists, hands, and fingers - typing and/or writing.
Ability to work frequently at close visual range (i.e. preparing and analyzing data and figures, accounting, transcription, computer terminal, extensive reading).
Ability to receive and respond to oral communication.
Ability to exert up to 40 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Early Childhood Education or field related to children and families preferred.
Experience with supervision, management, and/or coaching in an early childhood setting
Experience with Creative Curriculum model and Teaching Strategies, Gold Assessment system. Reliable in CLASS, ITERS-R and/or ECERS-R.
Background in special education/inclusion or prior early childhood experience in leadership role in center-based program.
Bilingual in Spanish-English

Responsibilities

Ensure full implementation of all aspects of MSU-Extension early learning system, policies/procedures and tools, with the goal of supporting all children to achieve School Readiness Goals.
Onboard, supervise, and support all teaching staff (lead teachers, assistant teachers, and floaters).
Provide ongoing coaching to teaching staff to support teaching staff in successfully fulfilling all aspects of their role, including but not limited to effective practices in CLASS, Teaching Strategies Gold, curriculum, and child assessment.
Working with families and support services
Positive ambassador for the MSU-Extension Early/Head Start program
Maintains program confidentiality at all times
Serve as education lead for the center, overseeing implementation of all aspects of education services and providing teachers with supervision, training, coaching and monitoring.
Support the effective implementation of the education content area, implementing all relevant policies and procedures.
Work with teachers to implement program curriculum that incorporates all elements and meets all standards established by MSU-Extension (in compliance with Head Start standards and best practices).
Assist the Assistant Director of Education with the oversight and approval of weekly lesson plans, including individualization and all other required elements.
Ensure that teachers integrate goals from Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for children with disabilities (in consultation with Assistant Director of Education, Local Education Agency/School District, and other support services).
Work in conjunction with the Center Operations Coordinator to ensure the completion of all required child screenings and assessments, including 45 and 90-day requirements for new children and quarterly progress assessments for all children.
Participate in team meetings, home visits, and community events as needed.
Provide teachers with coaching and support for quality improvement and professional growth through regular observation and formal and informal feedback.
Support Family Advocates to implement all aspects of family services program, including support and monitoring of Shine On, Families curriculum.
Ensure parents are integrally involved in developing the program's curriculum and approach to child development and education through regular meeting with Policy Council members and others.
Model strong, positive relationships with families.
In collaboration with Center Operations Coordinator, assist with staff supervision, ensure completion of all human resources activities, and ensure compliance with relevant policies and procedure, including completion of annual performance evaluations of staff.
Lead regular team meetings to ensure effective communication and service coordination.
Ensure families receive monthly newsletter.
Actively participate in Head Start/Early Head Start community, including staff meetings, mandated trainings, committee meetings, and other program-wide functions as needed, including some evening activities.
In collaboration with the Center Operations Coordinator, ensure complete and accurate implementation of all MSU-Extension required systems for recordkeeping and reporting, including child and family files, employee timekeeping, and purchase of supplies.
Review weekly MBI (managing by information) and monthly MBI + reports and ensure all concerns are addressed in a timely fashion.
Review quarterly MBO (managing by outcomes) report and ensure all concerns are addressed in a timely fashion.
Review quarterly and annual child outcomes data and oversee teacher planning to help all children make developmental gains.
Participate in annual program self-assessment.
Implement all monitoring systems required by MSU-Extension, Head Start, childcare l licensing, CACFP, or other agencies.
Serve on the leadership team of the MSU-Extension program, attending regular meetings and occasional retreats.
Participate in annual and quarterly planning to set, plan for, and monitor program goals.
Improve quality and effectiveness of education service area and overall organization by i initiating, sponsoring and implementing organizational change and by helping others to successfully manage organizational change.
Attend parent committees, Policy Council and board of director meetings as needed or requested.
Recognize that your job description is service area specific but not limited to: confidentiality, child abuse reporting, attendance and dependability, appropriate dress, customer service and support to all families, prudent use of program resources, and promoting and maintaining safe work environment.
All other duties as assigned.