What are the responsibilities and job description for the Early Childhood Specialist position at Cherokee Co School District 1?
Early Childhood Specialist
Location: Curriculum & Instruction
Reports To: Executive Director of Academics
Effective Reporting Date: July 1, 2025
Employment: 12 months – (240 days) Salary to be determined by the Board
Certification Area: Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
Position Overview: Early Childhood and CERDEP (Child Early Reading and Development Education Program) Specialist to lead and manage the implementation and monitoring of programs designed to support early childhood education. The EC Specialist will work with EC/Elementary Coordinator to develop and implement plans for overseeing the successful integration of Teaching Strategies GOLD, Creative Curriculum implementation, professional development, 3K program monitoring, and Kindergarten program monitoring. In addition, the EC Specialist will ensure developmentally appropriate practices, which include the Science of Reading, are in every EC classroom. The Early Childhood Specialist will verify that all programs are effectively enhancing the development and educational outcomes of children in early childhood settings including compliance codes dictated by the South Carolina Department of Education and best practices associated with the National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Teaching Strategies GOLD Implementation:
- Monitor the integration of Teaching Strategies GOLD, a formative assessment system, to track children's developmental progress in early childhood education settings.
- Provide training and ongoing support for early childhood educators on the use of Teaching Strategies GOLD to assess and monitor children's growth.
- Confirm alignment of the Teaching Strategies GOLD framework with implementation of creative curriculum and early learning standards.
- Ensure all teachers have up to date training with creative curriculum
- Systematically review and analyze assessment data to identify areas for improvement in teaching strategies and child outcomes.
Professional Development for Early Childhood Educators:
- Work with the EC/Elementary Coordinator to determine, design and implement professional development for early childhood educators to enhance their skills, knowledge, and effectiveness in the classroom.
- Organize workshops, seminars, and training sessions on best practices in early childhood education, including the use of innovative teaching methods, strategies for child engagement, and social-emotional development.
- Promote continuous learning opportunities for staff to stay updated on current trends, research, and policies in early childhood education.
- Foster a supportive learning community to encourage collaboration, mentoring, and peer-sharing among educators.
- Ensure all teachers are DIAL 4 trained
Program Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Oversee and monitor the implementation of CERDEP programs, guaranteeing compliance with state and federal regulations, as well as district-specific guidelines.
- Collect and analyze data to evaluate program effectiveness, identify challenges, and recommend solutions for program improvement.
- Prepare and present reports on program progress and outcomes to stakeholders, including school boards, and parents.
- Observe classrooms using the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) observation tool or the Early Language and Literacy Observation (ELLCO) tool and provide feedback.
3K Programs Coordination:
- Facilitate the planning, coordination, and execution of 3K programs aimed at providing early educational interventions for children before kindergarten.
- Observe classrooms using the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) observation tool or the Early Language and Literacy Observation (ELLCO) tool and provide feedback.
- Monitor student progress and provide targeted support to children and families involved in the 3K programs.
- Evaluate the outcomes of 3K programs to ensure that they meet educational goals and promote a successful transition to 4-year-old kindergarten.
- Help teachers with the collection and analysis process using GOLD assessment and DIAL 4
Collaboration and Advocacy:
- Engage with parents and families to provide resources and support for their involvement in their child's educational journey.
- Work with the EC/Elementary Coordinator and School Health Coordinator to plan and execute the pre-school registration process
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in early childhood education, with a focus on program coordination, teacher development, and curriculum implementation.
- Knowledge of early childhood development, educational practices, and assessment strategies.
- Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and community stakeholders.
- Experience in developing and delivering professional development programs for educators.
- Ability to analyze data and use findings to drive continuous improvement.
