Organization Overview
Smart Start of Mecklenburg County (Smart Start or SSMC) is a Charlotte-based non-profit that funds local programs for children ages birth to five and their families. The organization is a catalyst for improving the lives of the 85,000+ young children in our community, with a focus on health, family, early education, and literacy. We mobilize resources and forge partnerships to support evidence-based policies, practices, and programs to ensure all children enter kindergarten healthy and ready to succeed.
Smart Start has a budget of over $30 million comprised of funding from the state of North Carolina, Mecklenburg County, and private donations and grants. SSMC funds approximately 25 programs annually serving over 25,000 young children and their families and administers Mecklenburg County's MECK Pre-K program, which provides free Pre-K to children in the community. SSMC also operates programs and campaigns internally, including Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, Guiding Parents to Services, and The Basics Mecklenburg. The organization is also the leader in research, data, convening and collaborating on issues related to children 0-5 in the Greater Charlotte area.
Position Summary
The MECK Pre-K Success Coach works with the childcare center administrators, MECK Pre-K Curriculum and Teacher Support Manager, and all MECK Pre-K Support staff (other Success Coaches, Family Support Specialist) to provide direct support and leadership to MECK Pre-K teachers related to state and county standards in high-quality, early childhood instruction. This position is a resource for MECK Pre-K teachers to ensure that all program services meet the MECK Pre-K classroom policies, specifically the implementation of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS), Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies GOLD.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Support Teachers and Sites
- Supports the philosophy and vision of SSMC and MECK Pre-K program.
- Models and sets a high standard of evidence-based instructional practices that align to State and MECK Pre-K Program policies and procedures.
- Conducts regular site visits to observe teacher-student interactions and classroom instruction with students, providing specific feedback, make instructional recommendations in teaching strategies, and discuss next steps in teaching strategies with teaching team (teacher & assistant teacher) and Site Administrator.
- Assesses and supports needs of assigned teachers, serving as a resource to teaching team (teacher & assistant teacher).
- Guides teachers in developmentally appropriate content pedagogy, learning environments, planning and assessment, instructional strategies, reflective practices and effective family/community/school relationships.
- Guides teachers in implementing evidence-based practices for addressing the needs of children with unique learning needs, including challenging behavior.
- Works collaboratively with other Success Coaches and MECK Pre-K Support Team to arrange professional development opportunities that support teachers' needs related to evidence-based practices and meeting expected outcomes in the MECK Pre-K classroom in consultation with the MECK Pre-K Curriculum and Teacher Support Manager. Teamwork is critical.
- Participates in appropriate professional groups, committees.
- Seeks consultation from MECK Pre-K Support Team and/or external agencies (e.g. TA providers, Consultants from My Teachstone & Creative Curriculum) as needed to ensure consistent implementation of high-quality services in Mecklenburg County.
Professional Development and Curriculum Support
- Reviews, analyzes and interprets data from CLASS assessments and Teaching Strategies fidelity tool to ensure that Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies Gold are implemented to fidelity in the MECK Pre-K classrooms.
- Conducts CLASS observations in assigned MECK Pre-K classrooms in which they do not coach the teacher.
- Provides onsite embedded professional development through side-by-side coaching techniques that include observations, modeling lessons, and videotaping to support evidence-based practices in classroom instruction.
- Assists teachers in aligning their teaching practices with appropriate standards, curriculum and assessments (i.e. CLASS, Creative Curriculum, and Teaching Strategies GOLD).
- Coordinates/collaborates with partner agency staff as they provide Technical Assistance (TA) to assigned teachers and/or classrooms.
- Conducts regular conferences with new teacher, teacher assistant and Site Administrator to insure consistent and coordinated implementation of high-quality teaching practices.
- Encourages teachers to join Pre-K PLC meetings and ensures that they attend regularly.
- Conducts classroom inventory assessments when new classrooms open. Makes recommendations to the MECK Pre-K Curriculum and Teacher Support Manager for ordering materials based on assessment results.
- Works collaboratively with site administrators, lead teachers and assistant teachers, MECK Pre-K staff and others to promote a high-quality early learning setting that promotes child outcomes.
Internal & External Communication
- Communicates orally and in writing with internal staff and external partners about MECK Pre-K Program coaching & support services.
- Establishes and maintains a cooperative working relationship with families, school personnel and community ensuring open lines of communication.
- Maintains contact logs documenting teacher observations, strategies, other related activities, and action plans.
- Documents monthly reports of coaching by site and classroom through an online tracking system and submits all appropriate documentation to childcare center Administrators and MECK Pre-K Curriculum and Teacher Support Manager.
- Offers feedback to MECK Pre-K Curriculum and Teacher Support Manager and MECK Pre-K Support Team about general teaching practices, teacher support and specific challenges or trends observed across MECK Pre-K classrooms to inform and strategize as to additional supports or training needed.
- Minimum of BA/BS degree in early childhood education or related field. Advanced degree preferred.
- A North Carolina Birth-Kindergarten (BK) or Pre-K Add-on Professional Teaching License (SP II / Continuing License). CLASS Pre-K Certification desired.
- Five years as a successful lead teacher in a Pre-K age classroom using the Creative Curriculum, Teaching Strategies Gold (TSG). Experience with Teacher Evaluation and CLASS desired.
- Three to five years of increasingly responsible and progressive leadership experience in early education programs, including direct experience with young children combined with training, mentoring or providing TA to teachers.
- Equivalent education and experience may be considered.
Physical Demands
Location & Travel
This position is based in Charlotte, NC with a minor amount of travel. Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be expected.
Smart Start of Mecklenburg County ensures that employment activities are conducted without discrimination against any person on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
