Director of Education

SUMMARY:

Educare Lincoln is a collaborative partnership between the Lincoln Public Schools (LPS), University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL), Early Head Start (EHS), and the Buffett Early Childhood Fund. The mission of Educare Lincoln is to help young children thrive socially, emotionally, and academically through high-quality early childhood education, and in partnership with their families and the community.  The EHS program (ages 6 weeks to 3 years) and the preschool program (ages 3 years to 5 years) promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of evidence-based education, health, nutritional, social, and other services to enrolled children and their families.

The Director of Education leads the educational programming for children and families enrolled at Educare Lincoln, ensuring a high-quality, developmentally appropriate learning environment.  They are responsible for overseeing curriculum development, supporting staff development, and ensuring that educational standards are met, while complying with the required regulations of the State of Nebraska and Head Start Program Performance Standards.  

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEY TASKS:

Curriculum Development and Implementation

• Oversee implementation of age-appropriate curricula that promote children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
• Ensure alignment of the curriculum with state and national standards, as well as best practices in early childhood education.
• Continuously assess and improve the educational programs to enhance student outcomes.

Educational Leadership and Staff Development

• Lead and manage a team of early childhood educators, coaches, and family engagement staff by providing support, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide constructive feedback to staff to improve educational practices.
• Organize and facilitate professional development workshops, training, and ongoing learning for all teaching staff, coaches, and family engagement staff to stay current with early childhood trends and standards.

Program Oversight and Quality Assurance

• Oversee the day-to-day operation of the educational programs, ensuring compliance with all relevant local, state, and federal regulations.
• Regularly monitor classroom environments and communicate with coaches to ensure they are conducive to learning, safe, and well-maintained.
• Coordinate with the LEP team to collect and analyze data on student progress and program effectiveness, making adjustments as needed.

Family and Community Engagement

• Oversee the Family Engagement programming to foster strong relationships with families by regularly communicating their child’s progress and program updates.
• Provide resources and support to families.
• Build and maintain partnerships with local organizations, schools, and community resources to enhance educational experiences.

Compliance and Accreditation

• Ensure the program adheres to all local, state, and national licensing requirements and educational standards including Early Head Start standards and regulations.
• Oversee the preparation for grant funded program reviews and audits, ensuring compliance with all necessary guidelines and policies.

Budgeting and Resource Allocation

• Work closely with the Program Director to create and manage the education department budget, ensuring the cost-effectiveness and management of resources in the education and family engagement departments.
• Ensure that classrooms are well-equipped with educational materials and resources that enhance the learning experience.

Other

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field required, master’s preferred.
• Five or more years of experience in early childhood education required.
• Three or more years of experience in a leadership or management role required.
• Previous experience with curriculum development and staff supervision required.
• Previous experience in Head Start/Early Head Start preferred.
• Must be able to pass a background check that meets compliance standards.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS / ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Mission-driven with a commitment to making high-quality early care and education available to all children.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement high-quality early childhood education programs.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate staff.
• Knowledge of basic principles and practices of staff supervision.
• Ability to utilize and provide reflective supervision.
• Deep knowledge of child development, best practice, and regulations in early childhood education.
• Ability to assess, evaluate, and implement educational strategies and programs.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to handle multiple priorities effectively.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to effectively engage with families, staff, and the community.
• Ability to establish supportive relationships with diverse staff and families.
• Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, EHS and HSPPS.
• Compliance with all confidentiality regulations as required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook), with a willingness to learn new software programs.
• Ability to work within an interdisciplinary team as a cooperative and supportive team member.

Valid driver’s license and automobile insurance required.