Lead Educator

Position Overview

The Lead Educator provides high-quality coaching, mentoring, guided reflection, and modeling to Head Start and Early Head Start classroom staff. The Lead Educator supports best practices related to early learning, classroom quality, and the development of young children. A core responsibility of this role is to promote and ensure child health and safety in all learning environments, helping staff maintain physical and emotional well-being for children. The Lead Educator ensures compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, RCCDC policies, and applicable licensing regulations, including areas such as behavior management, hygiene practices, classroom safety, emergency preparedness, and supervision procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in Child Development or a related field
• Four years of Early Childhood Education teaching experience
• Ability to obtain CLASS Observer Certification
• Experience with Curriculum implementation and assessment systems

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Coaching & Mentorship

• Provide on-the-job coaching and classroom modeling focused on developmentally appropriate instruction and child health and safety best practices
• Plan, facilitate, and model high-quality instruction aligned with program goals and curriculum standards, while developing individualized mentoring plans in partnership with Center Managers and Instruction and Invention Managers.
• Promote and monitor safe, healthy classroom environments
• Respond immediately to health, safety, or behavioral incidents using RCCDC's protocols for reporting and documentation
• Coach staff in areas of:
• • Safe behavior guidance
  • Emergency response (e.g., fire drills, illness isolation, shelter-in-place)
  • Safe classroom layouts and materials organization to prevent injury
• Ensure staff understand and implement child health and safety policies through ongoing professional development
• Ensure compliance with RCCDC policies, licensing regulations, and Head Start standards.
• Coach and mentor educators through feedback, co-teaching, observation, and professional learning.

Child Health & Safety Monitoring and Compliance

• Regularly inspect classroom and outdoor environments to identify and correct health or safety hazards
• Monitor staff compliance with hygiene routines, including handwashing, diapering, toileting, food handling, and sanitization
• Review incident and accident reports to ensure timely, accurate documentation and follow-up
• Reinforce procedures for safe release of children to authorized individuals

Behavioral Support & Classroom Strategies

• Mentor teaching teams in creating emotionally safe, nurturing, and consistent environments
• Guide staff in the use of positive behavior support strategies that prioritize emotional regulation and child safety
• Use trauma-informed approaches, including Conscious Discipline, to de-escalate behavior and maintain a safe classroom climate
• Provide coaching around supervision transitions (e.g., mealtimes, outdoor play, nap time) to reduce risk and promote child security

Evaluation & Assessment

• Conduct site visits and classroom observations to assess:
• • Adherence to health and safety policies
  • Implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum
  • Teacher-child interactions, including CLASS-based assessments
• Provide actionable feedback and support staff in meeting school readiness and safety-related goals

Training & Resource Development

• Design and lead staff training sessions focused on child development and child health and safety
• Contribute to the development and regular review of health and safety policies and procedures
• Provide families with resources and strategies to support child safety and well-being at home

Communication & Partnership

• Collaborate with staff and families to ensure a holistic approach to child wellness and safety
• Maintain open, respectful, and confidential communication with staff and families
• Promote a culture of safety, respect, and positivity across all RCCDC programs

General Duties

• Assist in maintaining safe, clean, and developmentally appropriate classroom and outdoor environments
• Encourage and help document in-kind contributions, including supplies or services that support health and safety
• Attend and participate in agency-wide meetings, professional development, and emergency drills
• Perform other duties as assigned, particularly those related to safety or child well-being

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of Child Health & Safety Standards, Early Childhood Education and Developmentally Appropriate Practices, including Conscious Discipline and positive behavior support

• Effective classroom management and instructional planning
• Knowledge of early childhood education principles and developmentally appropriate practices
• Familiarity with Head Start Performance Standards, Louisiana Bulletin 137, and RCCDC policies
• Experience with behavior guidance strategies, such as Conscious Discipline
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, electronic data systems, and communication platforms
• Effective coaching, leading, mentoring, and adult learning facilitation skills
• Ability to navigate and resolve stressful or sensitive situations professionally and with emotional intelligence
• Understanding of child development

Special Considerations

• Employees within this classification are required to:
• Obtain a Louisiana Child Care Criminal Background Check Determination of Eligibility
• Pass a physical examination every three years
• Maintain a valid driver's license and an insurable driving record
• Be physically able to:
  • Sit, stand, kneel, stoop, and lift up to 50 lbs.
  • Sit on the floor and engage in play with children
  • Work in varied environments including noisy, warm, or outdoor settings
• Travel for home visits, training, and between agency sites
• Adhere to consistent child supervision and safety policies, even in high-stress or emergency situations
• Follow procedures for documentation and response related to accidents, injuries, illnesses, and behavioral incidents