Education Coordinator I & II

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Education Coordinator I & II

Jackson, TN

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Job Type

Full-time

Description

PRIMARY PURPOSE

Provide overall management and supervision of one or more programs. Ensure the teaching team provides a safe and nurturing environment for children that encourages their social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Design and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum according to guidelines established by Creative Curriculum and TN Early Learning Standards. Incorporate YMCA Memphis and The Mid-South mission, culture, goals, philosophies, policies, and development of an inclusive environment. Ensure safety and supervision of children at all times by meeting the physical demands of the position. Supervise the team while providing leadership, direction and training for staff. Lead staff in all responsibilities listed below.

Educational Coordinator 1 is budgeted to perform the supervisory and professional responsibilities of the Educational Coordinator job description described below 50% or more of the time. Educational Coordinator 1 is classified as exempt.

Educational Coordinator 2 is budgeted to perform the supervisory and professional responsibilities of the Education Coordinator job description described below less than 50% of the time. The remaining time will be supporting in the classroom coaching, modeling, and in the direct care of children. Educational Coordinator 2 is classified as non-exempt.

Major Functions / Responsibilities

Interaction between Staff and Children

• Interact frequently, affectionately, and respectfully by smiling, touching, and holding children. Speak in a friendly, calm, soft, courteous manner within close proximity to the child.
• Respect and observe children's interests. Intervene when needed to maintain safety. Enhance children's play with language, toys and activities.
• Communicate directly with each child at the child’s level.
• Serve as a resource for staff to help them engage and communicate constructively with individual children during activities and routines; taking every opportunity to positively extend children's thinking and actions.
• Be available and responsive to children's needs, questions, and requests.
• Encourage and model social behavior and expectations which are developmentally appropriate.
• Acknowledge feelings with sensitivity and demonstrate appropriate expression of emotions.
• Ensure that all staff interact and communicate respectfully with children demonstrating an inclusive environment.
• Supervise and model positive discipline techniques in guiding children's behavior according to YMCA Memphis and The Mid-South Guidelines for Positive Discipline.
• Supervise teaching teams in facilitating transitions to and from classrooms. Ensure teachers are attentive, flexible and supportive of children and families during this time of change
  
  

Curriculum

• Supervise and lead team in implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum which reflects observations and assessments of individual children and goals jointly developed with parents / guardians.
• Ensure staff designs an environment that responds to children's individual developmental levels, physical and emotional needs and current interests by consulting appropriate Bright Horizons’ resources (i.e., Environmental Checklist).
• Train and provide feedback to staff on the variety and developmental appropriateness of materials and activities offered. Ensure choices, foster social skills and encourage children to think, problem solve, question and experiment.
• Demonstrate respect for diversity by providing anti-bias, non-sexist language, images and experiences which reflect both location and global communities.
• Supervise team in planning a daily schedule which provides a balance of activities: quiet/active, indoor/outdoor, fine/gross motor, etc.
• Ensure teachers provide child-oriented, self-initiated activities while limiting group staff-initiated activities.
• Ensure teachers provide more than one option for group activity and maintain flexibility in changing planned activities, according to children's interests.
• Train and supervise teachers as they document children's accomplishments through anecdotal notes, documentation panels and/or portfolios.
  
  

Parent / Guardian Communication

• Ensure all parents/guardians and classroom visitors are acknowledged. Demonstrate a friendly, courteous professional demeanor.
• Ensure all parent/guardian comments and concerns are responded to with sensitivity, interest, and respect. Maintain confidentiality.
• Implement a primary caregiving system with individual children and their families which includes initial meetings with families during orientation period. Coordinate assignments of primary caregivers in the program.
• Invite input from parents/guardians regarding their child’s development and care.
• Ensure all staff communicate verbally and in writing with parents/guardians daily regarding the development and specific activities of the children in their primary care.
• Oversee the planning and facilitation of regular parent/guardian conferences to discuss orientation, transitions, and developmental goals for their child based on appropriate assessment tools (i.e., developmental profiles).
• Supervise, plan and attend location and classroom events, including parent/guardian support groups and seminars.
• Share resources with parents/guardians through discussions, articles, parent/guardian boards, newsletters, and community contacts.
• Convene and lead meetings with parents/guardians to discuss unusual incidents, concerns or sensitive information regarding the program or their child, under the guidance of the Director.
• Address parent/guardian issues in a timely manner. Keep center director informed of these situations.
• Supervise teachers in orientating new parents/guardians to classroom routines, curriculum and communication systems.
  
  

Physical Environment, Health, Safety, and Nutrition

• Maintain and follow all safety, emergency and health rules of the location.
• Ensure that children are supervised at all times. Guide staff in developing skills to supervise the entire group whether working with a small group or individuals. Ensure all staff complete the Transition Tracking Training and have received the Transition Tracking Policy and tool.
• Ensure that staff know the number of children in their group and are maintaining ratios at all times.
• Guarantee accurate attendance records are taken throughout the day.
• Ensure staff complete appropriate paperwork (i.e., accidents, medication, and allergies).
• Supervise staff in encouraging children to utilize appropriate health, safety and nutritional practices.
• Guide staff in keeping environment and equipment safe, clean, and attractive. Encourage respect for classroom materials. Notify designated individuals in advance when supplies are needed, or classroom materials require replacing or replenishing.
• Help staff arrange space in clearly defined, well organized activity areas.
• Supervise staff in organizing a variety of materials on low, open shelves for children to use independently.
  
  

Professionalism

• Maintain confidentiality about issues concerning other staff members, children and families or YMCA Memphis of The Mid-South management and operations. Must not involve parents/guardians in location concerns.
• Demonstrate knowledge of ages and stages of development. Understand and guide the team in the general areas of physical, social, cognitive and emotional development for relevant age groups.
• Support organizational mission, philosophies, values, goals, and policies to parents/guardians, coworkers, and community.
• Model professional work ethic by reporting to work on time and maintaining consistent attendance, arranging and communicating leave requests in advance.
• Demonstrate flexibility and openness to new ideas in childcare practices.
• Attend leadership and staff meetings, training sessions, and other location events.
• Respond to location and organizational needs by attending regional training, contributing to a newsletter, serving on a task force, or substituting at another location.
• Continue professional growth by attending courses, asking for feedback, and reading professional literature. Share information with parents/guardians and teachers.
• Receive constructive criticism with an attitude that indicates a willingness to improve. Give feedback in a respectful manner.
• Substitute in classrooms to maintain ratios and gain exposure to other programs, as required.
  
  

Teamwork

• Establish and maintain a relationship of cooperation and respect with coworkers.
• Assume a fair share of work. Look for ways to be helpful. Demonstrate initiative.
• Assume additional classroom and location responsibilities as needed: kitchen, pets, children's files, etc.
• Ensure that daily responsibilities are completed; jobs are shared and taught to each team member over time.
• Offer and share ideas and materials with coworkers.
• Lead and supervise teaching team through communication, collaboration and discussion of individual children's needs, services and curriculum planning.
• Communicate directly, work to resolve conflicts quickly, and avoid gossip and idle talk.
• Exercise care in expressing views regarding the personal attributes or professional conduct of coworkers. Statements are based on first-hand knowledge and relevant to the interests of children and programs.
  
  

Physical Demands

• Follow state, federal and YMCA Memphis and The Mid-South guidelines including immunizations, employment physical, and required health and safety training.
• Ensure children's safety while performing the following job functions:
• Frequently lift, move, or hold children with a range of weight from 10 to 40 pounds. (Occasionally lift, move, or hold weight more than 40 pounds).
• Supervise and interact daily with children outdoors for extended periods in varied weather conditions.
• Demonstrate full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit, and otherwise fully participate in activities.
• Respond immediately and appropriately to multiple or unexpected situations or emergencies.
• Maintain mental and physical alertness and an appropriate level of energy to perform essential job requirements.
  

SUPERVISORY AND PROFESSIONAL ADMINISTRATION

Staff

• Support center leadership and YMCA Memphis and The Mid-South HRBP in interviewing and selection of new staff members when delegated and appropriate.
• Oversee team in orientating new team members to classroom routines, curriculum implementation, and parent/guardian communication.
• Ensure a cohesive, positive team is developed within program(s). Encourage and model positive, constructive communication, flexibility and openness.
• Oversee teachers in conducting ongoing effective individual and classroom team meetings including goal setting and goal implementation. Lead whole program team meetings.
• Evaluate team using job performance appraisals. Conduct regular observations of teaching team and feedback sessions. Review appraisals with center director and program staff.
• Under the guidance of the center director, lead decision making regarding staff development, coaching and progressive counseling.
• Enhance skills of team members through delegation as appropriate.
  
  

Parents / Guardians

• Oversee team in developing positive relationships with parents/guardians with an emphasis on customer service.
• Oversee teaching team as they partner with parents/guardians to seek external support resources for children. Identify children with special needs.
  
  

Program

• Ensure all classroom lesson plans and developmental profiles are completed and meet company guidelines.
• Assess program: curriculum, environment and teacher/child interactions.
• Lead teams in implementation of action plan to address and identify needs, including developing training plans for teachers.
  
  

Professional Administration

• Ensure that proper classroom coverage, ratios are met, and under/over staffing is quickly remedied. Arrange substitute coverage.
• Assist in location marketing through phone contact, location tours, community outreach, program implementation (i.e., summer camp), enrollment projecting, roster updating and family orientation to program.
• Ensure all program records and reports and are submitted in a timely manner, as required.
• Coordinate classroom extra curricula activities, enrichments, and field trips, under the guidance of the Director.
  
  

REQUIREMENTS (Must Meet State Requirements)

Education

• Must meet state requirements for education for Teacher (or Lead Teacher/ Senior Lead Teacher/Unit Supervisor/Educational Coordinator, if available) and additional center/school requirements may apply.
• An Associate’s degree preferred – If Educational Coordinator has less than an Associate’s degree, an educational plan to obtain a degree (AA) within 5 years is required.
• At a minimum, have a CDA or 9 credit hours/120 clock hours/12 CEUs.
  
  

Experience

• Requires 2 to 4 years of professional teaching experience; supervisory experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to lead staff in implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum.
• Demonstrated experience and skill in communication, leadership, organization and supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to perform job responsibilities in all levels of direct care.
  
  

DECISION MAKING AUTHORITY

• Must have prior approval from supervisor to:
• take time off from scheduled work hours/days or alter schedule
• deviate from location policy
• schedule a field trip, plan extracurricular or enrichment activities
• authorize expenditures on equipment, supplies, overtime
• terminate a staff member’s employment
• conduct a performance appraisal
• May take action, but must inform the center director when you:
• respond to a staff or parent/guardian concern
• begin progressive counseling with a staff member
• conference with a parent/guardian about concerns regarding their child's behavior or development
• implement any significant change in the classroom, program or environment
• attend meetings outside the location for the benefit of the location
• schedule staff work-time changes or substitutes
• file an abuse and neglect complaint
• record an unusual incident
• seek outside support services for individual children
  

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of work performed, not an exhaustive list of all essential functions and responsibilities.

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