Job Description

Title: Early Childhood Specialist

Summary: The Early Childhood Specialist supports our Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) classrooms, ensuring high-quality preschool education for 4-year-olds. The specialist will provide leadership, coaching, and technical assistance to GSRP teaching teams, aligning with the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) guidelines and the GSRP Implementation Manual. This role is critical in fostering developmentally appropriate practices and promoting positive outcomes for children, families, and educators.

Qualifications:

Required:

Required degree: Bachelor’s Degree equivalent to a GSRP lead teacher requirement (or a related field) AND 10+ years of relevant experience in early childhood education.
Demonstrated knowledge of GSRP Implementation Manual, ECSQ-PK, and state licensing regulations.
Strong skills in coaching, data analysis, and professional development delivery.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with educators, families, and stakeholders.
Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to multiple GSRP sites.
Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board of Education may find appropriate and acceptable.

Preferred:

Preferred degree: Graduate degree in early childhood education or child development AND 5+ years of relevant experience in early childhood education.
Knowledge of Pyramid Model Practices to support social-emotional competence
Experience using assessment tools such as Classroom Coach, CLASS, TPOT, and/or Teaching Strategies Gold (TSG)
Training in trauma-informed practices, social-emotional learning, or early childhood mental health.
Prior experience in a leadership or supervisory role within early childhood education.

Reports To: Director of Early Childhood

Responsibilities:

Coaching and Professional Development:
1. Develop collaborative, trust-based relationships with teaching teams to foster continuous improvement.
2. Deliver regular, on-site coaching, mentoring, and training to GSRP lead teachers, associate teachers, and support staff to implement evidence-based instructional practices, ensuring alignment with Michigan’s Early Childhood Standards of Quality for Prekindergarten (ECSQ-PK)
3. Collaborate with teaching teams to develop and implement individualized learning plans that address children’s developmental, social-emotional, and academic needs, including support for children with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or English Language Learners (ELLs).
4. Contribute to designing and facilitating monthly and annual data-driven professional development, ensuring training aligns with identified needs and GSRP guidelines.
Program Evaluation and Continuous Improvement
1. Administer and/or coordinate program evaluation tools (e.g., Classroom Coach, CLASS, TPOT) to evaluate and enhance classroom environments, interactions, and instructional practices.
2. Analyze results in collaboration with teaching teams to develop or update strength-based professional growth plans, documenting progress and adjustments over time.
3. Work closely with the GSRP Early Childhood Contact (ECC) and local advisory committees to review aggregated data and measure overall program success, informing key decisions and next steps.
Compliance and Documentation
1. Ensure adherence to GSRP Implementation Manual requirements, including staff qualifications, program reporting, and state licensing standards.
2. Maintain accurate records for child assessments, program evaluations, and grant compliance.
Collaboration
1. Partner with GSRP program directors, Intermediate School Districts, and community agencies to coordinate services, align resources, and support kindergarten transitions.
2. Communicate regularly with building administration regarding program quality, professional learning needs, and strategic resource allocation.

Working Conditions:

Perform duties according to COOR safety and health policies.

In the performance of essential job functions of this position, the individual may:

a. Will be responsible for tracking time worked on Google calendar and attending team meetings to stay connected.

b. Have an office space that is functional in the home as this work is remote.

c. Be responsible for providing internet in your home office.

d. Have reliable transportation to attend meetings and do parts of the work.

e. Be responsible for providing your own internet.

Terms of Employment: 190-day contract. Hourly wage /Salary will be established by the Board of Education. Start date of August 1, 2025.

Evaluation: Performance on this job will be evaluated annually as required.