Early Childhood Specialist - West

Position Overview:

The Early Childhood Specialist plays a vital role in supporting early learners' academic success by promoting developmentally appropriate instruction, early literacy, and foundational skills. This position provides coaching, curriculum guidance, and assessment support to Pre-K through 2nd-grade teachers. The specialist works closely with educators and school leadership to ensure alignment to best practices in early childhood education and evidence-based reading instruction.

Key Responsibilities:

Instructional Support & Coaching

• Provide on-site instructional coaching and modeling for Pre-K through 2nd-grade teachers.

• Support the implementation of early literacy programs and structured phonics instruction.

• Collaborate with teachers to develop lesson plans that reflect best practices in early childhood and reading development.

• Facilitate professional learning communities and workshops to build instructional capacity in early grades.

Curriculum & Assessment

• Assist in the selection and implementation of age-appropriate curricula that align with state standards and early learning guidelines.

• Analyze student performance data to inform instruction and intervention planning.

• Support the administration of early childhood screeners, literacy assessments, and progress monitoring tools.

Program Development & Implementation

• Develop and enhance reading academy initiatives to improve early reading outcomes.

• Coordinate family literacy events and parent engagement activities related to early learning.

• Lead initiatives to support the transition from early childhood programs to kindergarten and early elementary.

Collaboration & Compliance

• Serve as a liaison between early childhood programs and school leadership.

• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations related to early childhood education.

• Work collaboratively with special education and multilingual teams to support diverse learners.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Reading, or a related field

• Valid teaching certification (EC-4, EC-6, or equivalent)

• Minimum 3 years of teaching experience in early childhood or early elementary grades

• Strong knowledge of early literacy instruction and child development

Preferred:

• Master's degree in Reading, Curriculum & Instruction, or Early Childhood Education

• Reading Specialist certification or equivalent literacy endorsement

• Experience in instructional coaching or teacher leadership

• Familiarity with state Early Learning Guidelines and Reading Academies

Skills & Competencies:

• Deep understanding of developmentally appropriate practices and early literacy frameworks

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

• Ability to analyze data to drive instruction

• Passion for early childhood education and student success

• Collaborative, reflective, and growth-oriented mindset

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university.
• Valid teaching certification.
• Must meet Highly Qualified status.
• At least 3 years of teaching experience preferred.