Preschool Program Coordinator- Center for Learning, Employment, & Education (Remote in Tennessee)

The Preschool Improvement Coordinator will work with key stakeholders within the Center for Learning, Education & Employment's Preschool Improvement team, which focuses on providing intensive support to school districts across the state through training, planning and evaluation with a goal of building an inclusive foundation for enhanced preschool excellence. The goal for the Preschool Improvement Coordinator is to increase inclusive opportunities and increase access to developmentally appropriate environments and high-quality instruction with the focus on improving outcomes for preschool students with disabilities. A person in this position has knowledge of instruction and developmentally appropriate practices for students ages 3-5 in least restrictive environments in Tennessee, as well as having a clear understanding of the development of Instructionally Appropriate Individualized Education Programs (IAIEPs). This position will help support participating districts with strategic planning, work one-on-one with district leadership and educators, design and deliver high-quality professional development, and assist in evaluating district progress. Districts will also have the option for intense one-on-one educator coaching.

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 preschool educational systems for students with disabilities, and how they can be improved.

This position will collaborate closely with CLEE’s Associate Director. They will have a general knowledge of the project budget and be able to help identify needs in program including but not limited to staffing.

This is a home-office based, full-time, exempt University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) position. Participation in regular online meetings and trainings are required in order to collaborate with school district staff as well as Regional Access Coaches (RACs), UTK staff, and district 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.

This position will require moderate travel to assigned school districts. This position is contract funded, continuation of employment will be dependent on continuous district participation and engagement and cannot be guaranteed for any length of time.

This position will require working from a home office and frequent travel to assigned districts in TN. This is a contract funded position with an anticipated end date of June 30, 2027.

Preschool Program Coordinator Duties and Responsibilities:

Collaborate and Design

- Work with Preschool CLEE Associate Director and district leadership (superintendents, SPED Supervisors, Principals) to develop district needs assessment and effectively implement scope of work.

- Liaise with district leadership and educators to ensure fidelity of classroom implementation of training principles related to access to high-quality core instruction and intensive intervention

- Decision-making for the development and implementation of Instructionally Appropriate Individualized Education Programs (IAIEPs)

- Manage Regional Access Coaches to ensure aligned and coordinated support to districts, schools, and educators

- Develop a strategic action plan based on needs identified on initial assessment, using in-person/virtual leadership team meetings and observations/walkthroughs to monitor progress

-Collaborate closely with CLEE Associate Director to ensure all aspects of Preschool CLEE Improvement are running smoothly and accurately

- Collaborate with team to develop high-quality content for training and professional development based on topics determined through district needs assessments and observations

- Develop and present trainings and professional development in-person and virtually to district leaders and educators in participating districts

- Work alongside Associate Director to seek out and apply for additional funding opportunities

Evaluation and Support

- Manage evaluations and use collected data to help in summarizing the district’s growth for mid-year and end-year reporting

- Continuous monitoring of improvement through scheduled walkthroughs

- Ability to interpret and coach district leadership on data regarding the quality of their preschool programs

- Achieving reliability and observing educators and classroom environments using quality assessment measures such as Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) and/or Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool (TPOT)

- Manage pre- and post-CLASS observations for selected teachers in the participating districts conducted by both Preschool CLEE Coordinator and assigned Regional Access Coaches

- Travel to districts to both provide direct support or support the assigned Regional Access Coach in coaching educators and district leadership based on needs determined in initial needs assessment and/or collected data.

Administrative

• Form collaborative relationships with all necessary district staff participating in Preschool CLEE Initiatives in support of building an inclusive foundation for enhanced preschool excellence

• Provide in-person and virtual support to districts for planning and implementation of initiatives via discussion of specific requirements and concerns; action planning; budgeting; observations; data-based decision-making; etc.

• Delegate administrative tasks to administrative assistant to ensure communication, travel/stipend payment and other applicable tasks are completed on time.

Competencies/Qualifications:

● Required Bachelor’s Degree with a preference in Education or Special Education

● Teaching Certification Required- Special Education Certification Preferred

· 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 improve outcomes for students

· Knowledge about reading processes, assessment, instruction, inclusion

· Ability to guide districts on state processes for writing IEPs

· Strong written and verbal skills

● Ability to schedule and manage time effectively

● Knowledge about developmentally appropriate practices in early childhood education

● Ability to provide and receive constructive feedback

● Skilled in training and/or coaching educators and aiding in professional development

● Ability to navigate virtual / online platforms such as Google Workspace and Zoom

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

● Ability to write instructionally appropriate IEPs

● Ability to redeliver impactful training to educators and administrators

● Understanding and knowledge of Pyramid Model Practices and CLASS

● Ability to engage and build relationships with project partners (educators, administrators, support personnel, other TDOE personnel) to effectively improve outcomes for students

● Master’s Degree with a preference in Education or Special Education

Interested candidates must submit both a resume and cover letter for consideration.

This position is a UT Market Range 10.