EDUCATION / CURRICULUM SPECIALIST (Head Start Program)

Description

Summary: Responsible of the Education/Curriculum Component according to the Head Start Performance Standards. Responsible to provide training for all Head Start teaching personnel, develop program curricula, and provide educational resources for staff and parents. Responsibilities include establishing and maintaining a communication and reporting system for purposes of monitoring, evaluating and improving the education component of the Head Start Program. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. 

Develops and administers programming, reporting and assessment systems to assist Head Start centers in meeting performance standards; 

Develops educational program curricula and the annual Head Start Education Plan in conjunction with Center Services Coordinator, teaching staff, parents and other center staff and in accordance with established policies and procedures; 

Makes sure that the agreement with mental health consultant is followed by provider and staff. 

Work directly with Mental Health, Disabilities, and other education specialist planning schedule for classroom observations and services, including documentation, staff training, activity plan, community mental health resources and referrals. 

Plans and implements educational training for staff, parents and others involved in the Head Start Program; 

In Conjunction with Center Services Coordinator evaluates teachers and assistants to ensure that component goals and objectives are monitored and achieved; 

Conducts regular visits of Head Start centers to observe classroom activities, CLASS assessment,  provide on-site consultation, determine training needs of educational personnel, follow up with mental health cases and to inspect facilities for compliance with health, safety, fire and occupancy regulations; 

Develops and implements a communication system that provides a means of transmitting information to Head Start centers about new teaching methods, teaching techniques and other information relevant to preschool education; 

Identify and recruits those children who may have special needs, as mental health, and makes sure that these children and their families get the services and support that they need. 

Develops equipment and materials purchasing plan according to program needs; 

Initiates and monitors the administration of all developmental tests including: The Missouri, Articulation, Devereux, Acuscreen, Denver II and Galileo.

Plans and implements the High Scope curriculum for Head Start and Creative Curriculum for Early Head Start. 

Monitors room arrangement with well-defined areas.

Observes and gives feedback to the Teachers/Assistants on a daily basis.

Monitors the developmental summary report and individual education plan of each child.

Monitors teachers’ home visits.

Plans and conducts regular meetings and/or conferences including: Individual staff supervision meetings, Center staff meetings, and Parent conferences with the family workers and/or mental health/disabilities component as needed.

Keeps adequate meeting documentation including: agenda, minutes, sign in sheet and handouts.

Attends and participates in administrative meetings as needed. 

Attends monthly parent meetings.

Evaluates Teachers and Teacher Assistant annually in conjunction of the Center Svcs Coord.

Orients and evaluate new staff in conjunction with Center Svcs Coord.

Attends all C.A.A. education and mental health meetings and properly share all information with the site staff.

Coordinates services with the family worker on site including: review observation of work hours; review home visits; review meeting and in-service attendance/information; review due dates/follow-up documentation.

Promotes maximum participation of parents in the classroom activities including curriculum to increase their understanding of child growth and development by: contacting parents throughout the year as questions and need arise; providing assistance, encouragement, and on-the-job training to parents and community volunteers.

Requirements

Education/Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, or relevant field with ESE credits; or Bachelor’s Degree and one (1) to two (2) years’ experience in an education setting. One to two years exp. in teaching, planning, and training of educational activities for young children is preferred; knowledge and experience with the High Scope and Creative curriculums; knowledge and experience with HSFIS and Galileo programs a plus; ability to supervise the administration for developmental test for Head Start.

Language Ability:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from clients, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information.

Math Ability:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability: 

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications to include Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Certificates and Licenses: 

Red Cross First Aid Certificate preferred within 90 days.

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

Manages and coordinates programs in Centers. Supervises curriculum.