Education Coach

ABOUT THE OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD:

Under the leadership of the Department of Human Service Programs, the Office of Early Childhood (OEC) is a collaboration between the City of Cambridge and Cambridge Public Schools. The mission of the OEC is to connect the Cambridge early childhood ecosystem, align early childhood services and information, and advocate for and advance the needs of all young children, their families, and the early childhood workforce. The vision for this work is that every child and family in Cambridge has access to high quality early care and education experiences. As a result, all children enter school ready to thrive academically, physically, socially, and emotionally and continue to do so throughout their academic careers and lives.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Education Coach provides individualized coaching and guidance to licensed community-based early childhood educators, with a focus on professional growth, curriculum, and instructional practices. This role plays a vital part in promoting high-quality early learning experiences for all children and strengthening collaboration across the early childhood ecosystem. A strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and continuous quality improvement is central to this work. The Education Coach reports to the Program Quality Manager.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Along with the Program Quality Manager, serve as a representative of the Cambridge Office of Early Childhood Partnership among community-based early childhood centers, family childcare educators, as well as other key partners.
• Manage a caseload of classrooms within community-based early childhood programs, serving as the primary coach to early childhood educators in accordance with OEC’s coaching model.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation of coaching sessions to track progress and ensure alignment with the goals and impact of the OEC Partnership at the program level.
• Lead the development of a resource bank of early childhood content and materials to be shared across all school, community, and family childcare partners, and sourcing additional content and materials as needed.
• Work collaboratively with the OEC’s Professional Development Specialist to identify, promote, and provide professional development opportunities that support the early childhood community, and in particular, programs that are a part of OEC’s Continuous Quality Improvement Program.
• Work collaboratively with OEC Workforce Development Team to identify, promote, and provide professional development opportunities that support the early childhood community, and in particular, programs that are a part of OEC’s CPP Program.
• Support the development of strategies and opportunities for shared curriculum, assessment, and school readiness goals between community-based early childhood programs and school based programs.
• Support the development of strategies and opportunities for shared curriculum, assessment, and school readiness goals between community-based early childhood programs.
• Maintain Classroom Assessment Scoring System® (CLASS) Rater certification for Infant–Toddler and Preschool age levels and TPOT certification.
• Keep abreast of Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care and Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education policies.
• Serve as a key contributor in the planning and implementation of an annual Professional Development Week for all Cambridge providers.
• Collect and analyze data to ensure the OEC’s impact at the program level.
• Serve as a liaison with community-based programs to promote collaborative work between the early childhood community and the city/schools.
• Maintain a commitment to ensuring anti-racism, equity, and inclusion are incorporated into every aspect of the work.
• All other duties that may be assigned.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in an early childhood supervisory/mentoring/coaching role.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field required, Master’s Degree preferred.
• Experience with early childhood practice, policy, and systems.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Understanding of the principles of coaching and reflective practice.
• Knowledge of early childhood standards, curriculum, assessment, teaching and learning, and professional development.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of CLASS, Pyramid Model, Early Childhood Development, and other research-based tools
• Demonstrated leadership qualities, cultural competency, and interpersonal skills necessary to work effectively and collaboratively with diverse groups.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent technological skills to create efficient systems of communication.
• Experience working in an urban setting and with diverse groups.
• Knowledge of the Cambridge community is an asset.
• The City of Cambridge’s workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Standard office environment. Fluorescent lighting and air conditioning. Some offices may be carpeted. Moderate noise level. This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy depending on operational needs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Ability to access, input and retrieve information from a computer. Ability to answer phones and maintain multiple files and ability to lift a minimum of at least 10 pounds. Ability to travel throughout the City of Cambridge to various meetings, etc.