Vice President of Early Childhood Services in Memphis, Tennessee at Porter-Leath

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Sr. VP of Early Childhood Services, the VP of Early Childhood Services will develop, implement and maintain a high quality program to train early childhood Teachers using best practices guided by the latest research; provides strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight of the program.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a closely related field is required.
• Training in curriculum, supervision, methods and materials, organization, and administration is required.
• Minimum of seven years of demonstrated work experience in the field of early childhood with particular emphasis on teaching and curriculum development is required, including a minimum of four years of supervisory experience required.
• Minimum of two years teaching experience at the elementary and/or secondary school level is required.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises TEP department: Instructional Coaches, Relief Teachers and Coordinator. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems; seeking grant opportunities and program funding; applying for grants; program development and ensuring quality processes.

Essential Job Functions

1. In collaboration with Shelby County Schools, Porter-Leath and other key community partners, develop and execute programming and operational plans to reach the strategic vision of the Teacher Excellence Program.
2. Develops and articulates the Teacher Excellence Program and Porter-Leath Mission, instructional philosophy, goals, and objectives using collaborative processes and problem-solving techniques.
3. Directs and coordinates Instructional Coaches and others in developing PL and community-wide instructional goals, objectives, and assessment instruments, and systems of monitoring the implementation of staff development.
4. Cultivate positive, trusting relationships with child care centers and family day homes to extend the work of the Program into those environments.
5. Personally conducts workshops, orientations, and a variety of staff development and training activities.
6. With support from high-quality consultants and project partners, develop evidence based/informed practice for professional development programs.
7. Select and train high-quality Instructional Coaches and Relief Teachers to carry out the professional development activities of the Program.
8. Ensure effective developmental practices are created and utilized to maximize learning for early childhood educators.
9. Coordinate relationships with external research partner(s) and ensure the evaluation plan is executed as planned.
10. Develops and implements an ongoing procedure and analysis for Teacher Excellence curriculum review, development, and/or revision.
11. Create, maintain and ensure compliance to Program policies, procedures and service plans.
12. Research and select materials utilized in the Program to promote learning.
13. Conduct research regarding best-practices in professional development and learning factors that ensure third grade reading success for young children and translate the research into program enhancements.
14. Oversee content and ensure creation of high quality marketing materials to promote the Program’s services to the community and to regularly release information about the Program’s outcomes.
15. Develop a portfolio of expert speakers/presenters along with established thought leaders/consultants and develop regular opportunities for outside learning for Academy staff and other interested participants.
16. Represent Porter-Leath, the Program and the issue of professional development for early childhood educators at local, state and national events and conferences.
17. Develop and maintain extensive relationships in the regional and national child care arena.
18. Ensure Program outcomes are defined, tracked, evaluated and refined in a continuous quality improvement cycle.
19. Confers with, counsels, and advises management and instructional personnel concerning instructional methods, techniques, and strategies in compliance with standards.
20. Participate in the preparation and maintenance of a variety of narrative and statistical reports, records and files related to assigned activities and personnel; assure timely and accurate submission of reports.
21. Develop and adhere to the Program budget.
22. Assist with fundraising activities to sustain the Program.
23. Participate actively in collaborative activities that improve community-wide early childhood education.
24. Contribute to team effort by performing other duties as needed.

Knowledge, Skills & ABilities

• Strategic thinking and planning skills to develop short and long time plans to carry out the vision of the program.
• Collaboration skills to work with a diverse group of Program stakeholders.
• Knowledge and experience in curriculum planning and development techniques.
• Knowledge of Early Head Start, Head Start, Tennessee Voluntary Pre-K, Tennessee Department of Human Services, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and other key preschool performance standards for educators.
• Knowledge of the learning needs of young children to ensure school success and reading comprehension by third grade.
• Ability to create training programs to enhance learning for educators.
• Leadership and management skills to inspire and lead a team of professionals to carry out the Program vision.
• Knowledge of instructional techniques, methods and materials.
• Excellent oral communication skills to include telephone skills and manners.
• Excellent writing skills including knowledge of proper spelling/grammar/punctuation; proofreading and editing skills.
• Technology skills to utilize available Academy technology to enhance learning. Organizational skills to determine workload priorities and complete a variety of tasks comprising a heavy workload in a timely manner.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and objectivity.
• Analytical skills to evaluate given information, research additional information needed, and evaluate and compile the information.
• Record keeping/writing skills to maintain accurate, up-to-date logs/files so that information is readily researched and retrieved.
• Knowledge of office procedures. Computer skills to include word processing, spreadsheets, database management and the internet. Ability to produce reports, charts and graphs on a computer using various software sources.
• Ability to work as a team player to interact and assist all employees as necessary.
• Possess the ability to forge a mutually respectful partnership with persons served and their families, conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change, the ability to set limits and maintain the helping role of the employee and the ability to intervene appropriately to meet the needs of the persons served and their families.

Physical Demands

Physical requirements include lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds and the stamina to assist physically during training events. Ability to listen for understanding. Occasional-Routine deadlines; usually sufficient lead time; variance in work volume seasonal and predictable; priorities can be anticipated; some interruptions are present; occasional exposure to demands and pressures from persons other than supervisor. Infrequent overnight travel is required. Requires frequent sitting, handling objects with hands, talking, hearing reaching; requires standing, walking and lifting up to 25 pounds. Requires the ability to see color/black-white information in print and/or electronic form.

Special Conditions

Maintain a valid driver’s license and good driving record with appropriate level of insurance. Ability to travel from administrative headquarters to all sites on a regular basis. Overnight travel is necessary. Functions on call for emergencies.