Instructional Coach

Community Action of Central Texas•San Marcos, TX

13d•Onsite

About The Position

Supports teachers in creating a learning environment that enhances the school readiness of children in the classroom. This role involves mentoring assigned Head Start Program classrooms, assisting teaching staff in implementing mandatory Head Start components, and adhering to the Practice Based Coaching model. The Instructional Coach will conduct classroom observations, hold individual meetings with teaching staff to discuss observations and goal progress, and provide modeling, coaching, and support. They will also communicate assessment data to guide individualized planning and teaching strategies, guide teachers in collecting anecdotal records and work samples for portfolios, and help teachers connect observations and assessments to develop lesson plans and classroom management plans. Regular communication with the Education Team and Management Team is expected, as well as developing and presenting training for staff. The role requires using database management systems to track children outcomes and ensuring developmental screenings are completed and entered. The coach will support teaching staff in meeting the needs of children receiving services from local education agencies and early intervention services, and complete ongoing monitoring for assigned classrooms. Collaboration with the Mental Health & Disabilities Coordinator is also a key responsibility. Program responsibilities include familiarity with Head Start Performance Standards, State Licensing Standards, and other regulations. The role emphasizes preserving relationships with teaching teams, families, and the community, investing in trusting relationships with teachers, and adopting a multi-faceted, multi-cultural approach. The coach will serve as an advocate for children and families, report suspected child abuse, maintain confidentiality, adhere to agency policies, interact pleasantly with staff and visitors, attend meetings, and participate in professional growth opportunities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or related field
At least Two years’ experience teaching in early childhood classrooms
At least Two years’ experience in educational supervision or teaching mentoring
Interpersonal and organizational skills, effective written and oral communication skills, experience with adult learners, knowledge of technology, ability to aggregate and analyze data
Be able to lift 30-35 pounds
Be able to walk, run, squat/kneel, sit on the floor, see, hear and speak with children to ensure children’s safety
At least 21 years old
Documentation of Tuberculin Free Condition
Valid Texas Drivers’ License – Class C
Daily access to transportation
Vehicle insurance (personal injury and liability)
Initial Health Exam required for all Head Start staff at the employee’s expense
Initial and annual TB screening are required for all Head Start staff at agency’s expense
Criminal Background Check required for all Head Start staff at agency’s expense
Fingerprinting required for all Head Start staff at the employee’s expense

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development
At least Four years’ experience teaching in early childhood classrooms
At least Two years’ experience in educational supervision or teaching mentoring
Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Responsibilities

Serve as a mentor to assigned Head Start Program classrooms.
Assist teaching staff at assigned sites to implement all mandatory components of a Head Start Classroom.
Adhering to the Practice Based Coaching model adopted by the Program.
Visit each assigned classroom to conduct observations per procedures.
Individual classroom meetings with the Teaching Staff to reflect on observations and goal progress.
Modeling, coaching, and supporting teaching staff as outlined in the Practiced Based Coaching Procedure.
Communicate assessment data to the Teaching Team to help guide individualized planning for children as well as teaching strategies for the classroom.
Guide teachers in collecting anecdotal records and work samples for the children’s portfolios.
Guide teachers to connect observations and assessments to develop lesson plans and a comprehensive classroom management plan.
Communicate regularly with the members of the Education Team to ensure effective collaboration and support.
Meet regularly with the Management Team to reflect on the overall program’s progress.
Develop and present small and large group education training for staff as assigned by Supervisor.
Use database management systems to track children outcomes, EX: ChildPlus, CLI Engage, etc.
Ensures all developmental screenings are completed, entered into ChildPlus, and procedures are followed based on assessment results.
Support teaching staff to meet the needs of all children receiving services from local education agencies and early intervention services.
Complete ongoing monitoring for assigned classrooms according to procedures.
Work in collaboration with the Mental Health & Disabilities Coordinator to discuss observations and development strategies outlined in procedures.
Be familiar with the Head Start Performance Standards in all components, the State Licensing Standards for Child Care, and all other mandatory regulations.
Approach communications with teaching teams, families, and the community with the intent to preserve relationships.
Strong emphasis on investing in a trusting and supportive relationship with teachers.
Address multi-faceted-multi-cultural approach for children and families in the program.
Maintain a schedule for advance reporting.
Serve as an advocate for the children and families in the Head Start Program.
Report all suspected child abuse to the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400.
Assure confidentiality is maintained at all times.
Adhere to all agency policies and procedures.
Interact with staff, volunteers, and visitors in a pleasant and effective manner.
Attend all staff, parent, and other meetings as assigned.
Participate in workshops, in-service training, and make use of all personal and professional growth opportunities.
Submits time sheets accurately and on time to supervisor.
Submits mileage accurately and on time to supervisor.
Attends all staff and other meetings as assigned.
Manages time effectively.
Be a positive role model.
Maintains confidentiality: records, client services, and staff.
Adheres to agency's best practices related to time and leave.
Dress is appropriate to work environment.
Maintains professionalism.
Maintains a safe, orderly and clean environment.
Willing to work at alternative locations.
All other duties as assigned.