Instructional Coach

About the position

Easterseals Head Start/Early Head Start provides high-quality, family-centered education for children birth to five years old. We collaborate with 40+ early childhood programs located in the city of Chicago and suburban Cook County to promote school readiness in young children of all abilities from families with incomes below poverty guidelines. Easterseals also directly operates two Early Learning Centers in Head Start/Early Head Start in Chicago and in Hickory Hills. The primary responsibilities of the Instructional Coach include implementing a research-based curriculum and coordinated coaching strategies; ensuring the review and analysis of education, disabilities, and mental health data to inform planning; and supporting the referral and inclusion of children with suspected and diagnosed disabilities. This role provides mentoring, coaching, and training to staff to provide quality services. This role spends the majority of the time in classrooms at sites.

Responsibilities

• Implement a research-based curriculum and coordinated coaching strategies.
• Assess all education staff using a variety of tools, including staff self-reflections, to identify strengths and areas of needed support.
• Build and maintain relationships between PEL Teacher, Easterseals staff, and partner site staff members.
• Provide opportunities for intensive coaching to identified education staff, including observation opportunities, feedback, and modeling of effective teacher practices.
• Align coaching with program’s school readiness goals, curricula, and other approaches to professional development.
• Use assessment data to drive coaching strategies aligned with program performance goals.
• Provide ongoing communication between the coach, program director, education director, and any other relevant staff.
• Assist in providing a process for achieving program goals.
• Facilitate peer learning communities reflecting on implementation of teaching practices.
• Facilitate lesson-planning meetings to support job-embedded professional learning.
• Work with EHS/Head Start program sites and teaching staff to review and analyze child outcome data.
• Provide intensive CLASS coaching to identified classrooms.
• Provide coaching and modeling to teachers on effective home visits and parent/teacher conferences.
• Assist Education and Inclusion Leadership to provide ongoing training related to Education and Disabilities.
• Support the referral process of children with suspected disabilities and social-emotional concerns.
• Perform individual child observations for children in referral process.
• Collaborate with the site team to ensure timely referrals to the LEA and Early Intervention.
• Attend IFSP conferences, IEP conferences, and LEA meetings with parents of children with disabilities.
• Collaborate with social emotional specialists to implement behavior intervention plans.
• Provide CSEFEL coaching to identified classrooms.
• Assist teachers in modifying curriculum and individualizing lesson plans for children with disabilities.
• Work with EHS/Head Start staff and sites to implement an annual outreach and recruitment plan.
• Provide ongoing monitoring and support as part of the site team.
• Participate in regular meetings to assess progress and planning for education and disabilities content areas.
• Assist directors and teaching staff with compliance with and implementation of performance standards.
• Participate in Enrollment/Recruitment Campaign, annual self-assessment, and PIR.
• Complete all requirements as part of the program.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Early Childhood Education.
• Certified CLASS Pre-K and Toddler Observer within 12 months of hire, including annual renewal.
• 3+ years teaching in an early childhood classroom.
• 3-5 years working with children with disabilities.
• Bilingual language skills (English & Spanish) a plus.
• Working with Teaching Strategies Gold and ChildPlus online systems a plus.
• Infant/Toddler programs a plus.
• Knowledge of CLASS.
• 1-year coaching teachers.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Auto insurance.
• Reliable vehicle.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working in a Head Start program.
• Basic computer knowledge including Microsoft Office 365, Teams.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Healthcare: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for select plans available to you and your eligible dependents.
• Employer-paid life insurance and AD&D coverage.
• Long-term disability insurance at no cost to you.
• Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work-life balance support.
• Up to $40,000 in eligible education reimbursement to fuel your professional development.
• Automatic 3% non-elective contribution to your 401(k) - no match required.
• Additional dollar-for-dollar match up to 3% - earn up to 6% of total employer contribution.
• 13 paid holidays to enjoy time with family and friends.
• Flexible PTO policy that respects your need for rest and rejuvenation.