Director of Early Childhood Programming

MMUUSD is seeking a Director of Early Childhood Programming to join our team. This position oversees the daily operations of the preschool, including supervision and evaluation of all staff, program development, budgeting and financial planning, professional development, and ensuring compliance with state regulations. The successful candidate will provide leadership and coordination in the implementation of school based and community partner preschool programs for the district, supporting developmentally appropriate programming and early childhood services.

Qualified candidates will hold a valid Vermont Professional Educators License with administrator license or be eligible for endorsement. A complete job description can be found below.

MMUUSD is committed to supporting the success of all learners by eradicating bias in our systems and graduating students with critical literacy and equity literacy skills. Successful applicants will be invested in the success of every learner and expected to engage in continuing capacity building to support diverse learners. We are especially interested in applicants with diverse experiences who share this commitment.

We offer an excellent benefits package including medical, dental and life insurance and a competitive salary. Our schools offer a respectful and collaborative work environment and a supportive team atmosphere! For more information about our school district, please visit our web page at https://www.mmuusd.org/ .

Questions? Please contact Jenn Cote, Director of Special Services at jenn.cote@mmuusd.org.

Job Description

This position oversees the daily operations of the preschool, including supervision and evaluation of all staff, program development, budgeting and financial planning, professional development, and ensuring compliance with state regulations. The successful candidate will provide leadership and coordination in the implementation of school based and community partner preschool programs for the district, supporting developmentally appropriate programming and early childhood services.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports school based preschool classrooms and educators in the education of preschool children within our Early Multi Tiered System of Support (EMTSS) by:
  

• • Supporting school based educators.
  • Supporting preschool building administrators through regular meetings.
  • Developing and implementing professional development for preschool educators, inviting private providers.
  • Ensuring building administrators are knowledgeable in the implementation of preschool regulations.
  • Renewing Preschool license for each school based site, working in conjunction with school-based preschool teachers.
  • Renewing the STARS annual reports and 3 year review in collaboration with the school-based preschool teachers.
  • Tracking the administration of Teaching Strategies (TS) Gold and providing reports to necessary recipients.
  • Coordinating and facilitating bi-monthly collaborative meetings with all preschool staff.
  • Processing purchase orders for preschool classrooms.
  • Acts as LEA for identified IEP Meetings.
  • Working with the Director of Special Services to review current legislation, identify trends and needs to provide input on how to fulfill preschool expectations and requirements.
  Supervision and formal evaluations of all preschool staff.
  

• Responsible for implementing Act 166 and Act 76 preschool requirements by:
  

• • Coordinating Act 166 preschool enrollment for private and school-based programs.
  • Acting as the liaison with private partnership programs for contracts, billing, attendance, TS Gold.
  • Data collection and professional development.
  • Coordinating community outreach.
  • Tracking the administration of TS Gold across all programs.
  Attending all relevant meetings to include: Chittenden County Early Learning Partnership meetings and Act 166 Coordinators meetings.
  

• Performs other professional responsibilities including:
  

• • Prepares and maintains accurate, complete, timely, effective and confidential student records and related reports as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulations.
  • Works effectively, cooperatively, and respectfully with supervisors, colleagues, parents, and outside community partners. Implements strategies such as collaborative teaming, conflict resolution, and mediation strategies to facilitate team decisions.
  • Actively participates in school events, workshops, in-service meetings, building-level staff meetings, district meetings, and other school and district committees/projects.
  • Responsible for on-going professional growth activities as outlined in one’s own professional development plan, consistent with district goals and as directed by the supervisor.
  • Shows professionalism and considers “What’s best for students” in serving and advocating for students, and in decision making.
  • Follows and assists in upholding and enforcing school rules, administrative regulations and procedures, policies of the district, and corresponding school procedures.
• Compliance
• • Ensures compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations and district policies; and applies the principles of the laws/regulations/policies to daily school situations.
  • Ensures compliance with the Equal Educational Opportunity Act.
  Provides training to employees on various matters to ensure compliance with district policies, and federal and state law.
  

Performs all other duties as assigned

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to work with and relate to professional staff, parents, students and community members.
• Demonstrated competence in vision-based and strategic planning and development, research and design, data-driven decision making, and relationship building.
• Demonstrated knowledge of best elementary school practices in the areas of successful transition to school; curriculum, instruction and assessment.
• Demonstrated skill set for facilitation, effective communication, collaboration, and engagement strategies that build understanding and a community of purpose.
• Must hold high expectations for all students, and be committed to ensuring all students learn and succeed.
• Take responsibility for student achievement and demonstrate commitment to continually work to improve practices and align these practices with school and district directions and priorities.
• Understanding of and ability to provide direction and leadership in the various aspects of Universal Design (e.g., differentiated instruction, supported learning environments, formative assessment, proficiency-based reporting, data driven decision making, student engagement, and other instructional and classroom management practices).
• Commitment to proficiency-based learning and reporting, success for all learners, parent and community participation in school life, and life-long learning.
• Ability to manage stressful situations in a calm, supportive approach.
• Ability to work independently and autonomously.
• Excellent writing and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with all school and community stakeholders.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude and promote a culture of respect and professionalism at all times.
• Ability to be a role model for all staff and students in the school.
• Ability to direct others and hold them accountable in an equitable and appropriate manner.
• Ability to manage conflict effectively and build relationships based on trust, respect and professionalism.
• Must understand basic computer programs and have the ability to learn new technologies on a regular basis.
• Ability to handle multiple demands and prioritize effectively.
• Ability to demonstrate objectivity, neutrality, and ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Proficient computer skills.
• Ability to work well with others in a cooperative environment.
• Ability to stay organized and follow through on daily tasks and projects.
• Excellent writing and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to project a friendly and approachable personality.
• Solid understanding of k-4 curriculum and instructional leadership. Solid understanding of preschool curriculum (if applicable).
• Solid understanding of the District’s coordinated curriculum, especially in literacy and mathematics.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule and be available in emergency situations on nights and weekends.
Ability to speak/understand English language and read and comprehend simple instructions.

Physical Ability

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift (or assist with lifting), restrain and/or move school aged students. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s (or Master’s) degree required in Early Childhood Education with experience at the birth to 5 age level and 3 to 4 years of relevant experience preferred (or a combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills are acquired).
• Working knowledge of Vermont Special Education Law and/or recent experience working in a Vermont school district preferred.
• Knowledge of contemporary instructional theory and practice and experience in special education.
Leadership and supervision experience.

Certifications and Licenses

• Hold, or be eligible to hold, a valid Vermont Professional Educator’s License with Endorsement.
• A valid Vermont Professional Educators License with administrator license or eligible for endorsement.
Valid Vermont driver’s license required.

Confidentiality/Discretion

• This position is regularly exposed to staff and student information.
A high degree of confidentiality and discretion is required.

Decision Making Authority

• Responsible for a wide range of decision making. Works closely with the Director of Special Services.

Work Environment

• This job operates in a school environment and generally works inside. The noise level is predominantly quiet to moderate.