District Early Childhood Specialist - Center for Literacy, Education & Employment

The Statewide Early Childhood Access for ALL District Specialist will work with the Tennessee Department of Education as an integral part of the department’s implementation of training and support for students with disabilities at a district level. A person in this position has knowledge of instruction and related services for Tennessee preschool learners, ages 3-5, with and without disabilities. This position requires a clear understanding of the development of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) supporting access to high-quality instruction within an inclusive school and classroom culture. This position will support selected districts with implementation of training principles through training, coaching, and direct observation. The goal of the Statewide Early Childhood Access for ALL District Specialist is to collaborate with district stakeholders to improve access to instructional practices, supports, and services delivered collaboratively in general education settings, with the focus on improving outcomes for students with disabilities at a district level. This position will provide in-person and virtual support to districts for planning and implementation of Access for All initiatives via discussion of grant-specific requirements and concerns; action planning; budgeting; district milestone meetings; data-based decision-making; etc.

This position will lead the development and streamline the processes districts need to efficiently and effectively implement the Early Childhood (EC) SPDG Initiative scope of work across participating Districts. On a daily basis, this person will determine who needs support, create process tools, arrange virtual or face to face meetings amongst district leaders, and then delicately facilitate communication at these meetings to keep project work on track. This person is a negotiator, diplomat, coach, consultant, trainer, and data-based problem solver, but above all, a collaborator and communicator intimately familiar with educational systems for students with disabilities, and how they can be improved.

This is a home-office based, full-time, exempt University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) position which is funded/led by the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE). Participation in regular online meetings and trainings are required in order to collaborate with school district staff as well as SPDG Regional Access Coaches (RACs), UTK staff, and TDOE team members. This person should be experienced in setting their own work schedule and taking initiative to meet multiple stakeholder priorities. Travel throughout the state is a requirement of this position.

Job Functions:

Collaborate and Design

• Work with district leadership (superintendents, SPED Supervisors, Principals) to effectively implement the Early Childhood (EC) Initiative scope of work.
• Liaise between district leadership and TDOE leadership to provide support and guidance in implementation of EC practices
• Collaborate with TDOE & CLEE staff in developing and streamlining processes to efficiently and effectively implement the Early Childhood (EC) Initiative scope of work across participating districts.
• Collaborate with Lead EC RAC to ensure aligned and coordinated support to districts, schools, and educators, particularly Cognitive Coaching for classroom teachers.
• Collaborate closely with EC leadership on Access for All training content creation, revision & management for state-wide trainings and district-level support.
• Collaborate on decision-making support to educators for the development and implementation of Instructionally Appropriate Individualized Education Programs (IAIEPs) for preschool students, age 3-5, with a range of disabilities
• Attend and support all Access for All trainings for EC training facilitators, including multi-day in-person annual trainings and 1-2 hour webinars.
• Collaborate with the TDOE, Lead EC RACs, and CLEE to provide ongoing communications with EC SPDG districts regarding trainings, informational webinars, administrative processes, sharing of resources, etc.Support district-level EC training facilitators in planning for in-person redelivery (or virtual if required), to include observation, coaching, and feedback on facilitator training redelivery (includes direct delivery of training content to schools/educators if required, virtually and/or in-person).

Administrative

• Form collaborative relationships with all necessary district staff participating in EC Initiatives in support of ALL students’ access to high quality core instruction and intensive intervention.
• Provide in-person and virtual support to districts for planning and implementation of Access for All initiatives via discussion of grant-specific requirements and concerns; action planning; budgeting; district milestone meetings; data-based decision-making; etc.
• Support for EC classroom observations via explanations to district staff and teachers, scheduling, and observer training/demonstrations

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to be self-reflective and actively engage in district-level process improvement
• Skilled in implementing processes and professional development at a district level
• The ability to speak and model lessons and teaching techniques in front of educators, large groups, district leaders, and project partners to effectively to improve outcomes for students
• Knowledge about reading processes, assessment, instruction, inclusion
• Ability to guide districts on state processes for writing IEPs
• Knowledge of tiered systems of support
• Strong written and verbal skills

Required:

• Education: Bachelor's
• Experience: Previous professional experience in a role requiring coordination, training and/or consultation with individuals or agencies

Preferred:

• Education: Master’s
• Experience: Special Education background. Experience in coaching, training, consulting on Special populations content at a district level.