Parent Educator

Topeka Public Schools USD 501•Topeka, KS

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The job of Parent Educator is done for the purpose of empowering parents with the knowledge and skills necessary to support the development of their children during the crucial early years by providing support for parents prenatal to kindergarten entry; promoting their involvement and providing information and/or direction; assisting parents in goal setting and educational development; developing and refining program materials; and assisting in transitioning students to preschool and kindergarten.

Requirements

Knowledge of basic math, including calculations using fractions, percents, and/or ratios.
Ability to read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, and/or present information to others.
Ability to analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions.
Knowledge of infant and preschool development stages.
Knowledge of parenting methods.
Knowledge of community resources.
Knowledge of age-appropriate activities/behaviors.
Knowledge of assessment instruments and techniques.
Skills in applying pertinent laws, rules and regulations.
Skills in utilizing pertinent software applications.
Ability to schedule a significant number of activities, meetings, and/or events.
Ability to gather, collate, and/or classify data.
Ability to use job-related equipment.
Flexibility to work with others in a wide variety of circumstances.
Flexibility to work with data utilizing defined but different processes.
Flexibility to operate equipment using standardized methods.
Ability to work with a wide diversity of individuals.
Ability to work with a variety of data.
Ability to utilize job-related equipment.
Independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans.
Problem solving with data requires independent interpretation of guidelines.
Problem solving with equipment is moderate.
Ability to work extended hours.
Ability to be attentive to detail.
Ability to communicate with persons with varied cultural and educational backgrounds.
Ability to establish and maintain constructive relationships.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Minimum of 60 hrs in Early Childhood Education and/or related field or previous supervised work experience with young children and/or families.
Valid driver’s license, vehicle, and car insurance.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, social work, psychology, health or related field preferred.
Successful completion of Parents as Teachers certification training (training provided upon being hired)

Responsibilities

Assesses individual children's developmental progress for the purpose of providing feedback to parents on areas of strength and areas for growth.
Communicates with families before and after visits for the purpose of clarifying issues and ensuring follow through.
Conducts home visits for the purpose of providing individualized lessons and assessing family needs.
Develops and implements personalized visit plans based on family goals and identified areas of improvement using Parents as Teachers curriculum for the purpose of educating parents on childhood development centered parenting, and family well-being.
Facilitates a variety of events (e.g. parent-child learning experiences, mass screenings, monthly parent groups, parent workshops, etc.) for the purpose of decreasing parental isolation; developing parent involvement with their child's school activities; and supporting the educational and social-emotional needs of families.
Maintains a variety of confidential and non-confidential manual and electronic lists and records (e.g. work/appointment schedules, assessments, interventions, progress reports, parent resources, demographics, etc.) for the purpose of documenting and/or providing reliable information.
Participates in a variety of meetings, workshops and committees (e.g. parent-student workshops, educational seminars, department in-service, reflective sessions, etc.) for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions and remaining knowledgeable with program guidelines.
Prepares a variety of documents, reports and written materials (e.g. screening summaries, visit records, etc.) for the purpose of communicating information to parents, staff; providing written support, developing recommendations and/or conveying information.
Provides support to parents (e.g. evaluating situations, solving problems, resolving conflicts, referral to appropriate professionals, literature, etc.) for the purpose of promoting healthy child development and family well-being.
Refers students and parents to outside agencies for the purpose of meeting the needs of the students.
Responds to inquiries from a variety of internal and external sources (e.g. early education teachers, outside agencies, parents and/or students, etc.) for the purpose of providing information and/or direction as may be required.
Responds to potential emergencies encountered during home visits for the purpose of ensuring safety of students and/or personnel.
Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.