The Manager of Education & Inclusion serves as the leader of education and disability services within a program, guiding the curriculum and program planning, policy development and training. This position provides early childhood technical and management oversight and support to the Head Start and Early Head Start programs to ensure effective coordination, implementation and monitoring of the education services.
Under the supervision of the Program Director and working as the supervisor of early childhood staff (i.e. Early Childhood & Development Coaches, if applicable), the Manager of Education & Inclusion oversees the implementation of the education services at all sites, and works with all local educational agencies (LEAs) and other partners. This position ensures proper implementation of the curriculum to support the unique needs of each child and provides educational resources for staff and parents. In coordination with the Manager of Parent, Family and Community Engagement (PFCE), this position also ensures appropriate placement of children in the classroom.
The mental health and disability content area is an integral part of the larger system of services provided by Head Start and/or Early Head Start. This position is responsible for overseeing the mental health and disability portion of the Head Start Program Performance Standards and regulations, as well as other state and federal requirements as they relate to ADA.
The Manager of Education & Inclusion provides training and technical assistance to the Head Start and/or Early Head Start staff to ensure high-quality programming. This position monitors child and teacher progress and performance to ensure that they are achieving program objectives and consults with the Program Director and education staff to resolve complex issues and ensure compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards and regulations.
As a frontline representative of Save the Children, the Manager of Education & Inclusion is required to ensure the safety and security of children and families that they encounter, and adhere to the agency’s values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity.
As a Save the Children employee who will come into contact with children on a routine basis, the position is expected to prevent child abuse in every situation by striving, through mental awareness, good practice and training to minimize risk to children. The position must take positive steps to protect children who may be a subject of concern and report, respond to any instance of child abuse, and promote training and awareness around all child-safeguarding obligations.
- Develop, implement and evaluate systems for the delivery of education services including screening, curriculum planning, individualization and assessment for children and families (includes center-based and, where applicable, home-based services).
- Develop, implement and evaluate systems to recruit, identify, diagnose and provide services to children with disabilities and their families.
- Research, evaluate and prepare recommendations on curriculum to ensure compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards and monitor for fidelity in implementation.
- Recruit, train and supervise personnel (if applicable).
- Contribute to program improvement through evaluation, self-assessment and other program development efforts.
- Collect and use quality data to support the use of effective teaching practices and have a positive impact on school readiness and individual child outcomes. Facilitate the development of integrated school readiness plans.
- Assist in development of program training plan. Facilitate and provide training, coaching and technical assistance to staff, parents and volunteers.
- Monitor classroom practices including room arrangement, lesson plans, daily schedules, routines and transitions to ensure their adherence to program policies.
- Monitor that Individualized Education Program (IEP) and/or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) goals and other disability service records are complete and current. Ensure goals are incorporated into daily educational activities. Assist in the coordination of services for children with disabilities with LEAs, consultants and other service providers.
- Assist in developing and monitoring education budgets.
- Develop, allocate and manage resources to maximize program effectiveness.
- In coordination with Program Director, identify and prioritize materials and equipment needed in classrooms and playgrounds.
- Work cooperatively with staff to integrate education and disability services with health, nutrition, parent engagement and family services.
- Maintain records to ensure the program is compliant with regulations, licensing requirements and safety standards.
- Interact with parents and staff to discuss educational activities, child progress, program policies and children’s behavioral or learning challenges via home visits and in-center meetings. Participate in case management meetings and solution creation.
- Create ways to engage parents in the education of their children including encouraging classroom involvement and home activities.
- Secure contracts and interagency agreements with community service providers to enhance local delivery of comprehensive services to children and families.
- Analyze information and then create and submit required reports. Compose and proofread correspondence and reports.
- Protect the safety of children by ensuring the implementation of active supervision techniques to ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised at any time.
- Ensure the mobilization and documentation of matching-in-kind activities, goods and services.
- Visit all classrooms on a regular basis (4-6 hours per month per site) to conduct observations, including CLASS; provide training and technical assistance, coaching and mentoring.
- Develop and incorporate the Program for Infant Toddler Caregivers (PITC) into the curriculum and parent/child activities; ensure that staff consistently incorporates PITC information into their classrooms and on home visits; provide strategies to support young English language learners and their families.
- Oversee site tracking of early childhood screenings and assessments and early childhood data collection. Participate in local evaluation activities.
- Supervise Center Directors, Teachers, Assistant Teachers, Program Aides, Education & Development Coaches, and/or Volunteers (where applicable) and approve work hours, leave hours and overtime in advance for all employees.
- Provide ongoing training in policies, procedures and program requirements, as well as communication and problem-solving skills, to staff of assigned team.
- Responsible for setting up and tracking that all education staff have a professional development plan.
- Work with individual teachers to develop training plans for obtaining CDA credential and then an AA degree or higher in early childhood education.
- Complete other tasks as assigned or needed.
- Minimum 5 years of experience working with infants and toddlers and preschool age children.
- Knowledge of early childhood development and safety issues and methods for communicating effectively with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, parents and other staff.
- Training and experience to develop consistent, stable and supportive relationships with very young children.
- Extensive knowledge of Heat Start Program Performance Standards as well as developmentally appropriate early childhood education practices in infant, toddler and preschool programs.
- Knowledge of program planning and supervisory techniques and practices.
- Knowledge of basic fiscal accountability.
- Ability to exercise professional judgment and evaluation before making decisions.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, children, parents and outside agencies.
- Effective communication skills, good problem solving and time management skills.