Pre-K Manager

The Providence Public School District (PPSD) serves approximately 22,000 students attending our 37 schools. PPSD employs more than 3,200 professionals who work in and provide support to our schools, which include 20 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, 11 high schools and 2 public district charter schools. Of our employees, approximately 2,000 are educators, and more than 600 others directly support students and families in our schools.

Our schools are diverse learning communities. Approximately 68% of our students are Latinx, 15% Black, 7% White, 4% Asian, 5.5% Multi-racial and 1% Native American. Approximately 40% of students are multilingual learners, and about 16% of students receive special education services. Approximately 55% of students come from homes where English is not the primary language spoken. Combined, our students and families speak more than 55 different languages and hail from 91 countries of origin.

Under the direction and supervision of the Executive Director of Specialized Instruction and Exceptional Student Services, the Pre-K Manager will be responsible for the supervision of all Pre-K educational programs (General & Special Education classrooms).

The Pre-K Manager will be overseeing the district’s implementation of the BrightStars Program for all district Pre-K programs/classrooms. They will work collaboratively with all school communities with a Pre-K program to support, coach and/or provide resources that lead to a high quality early childhood program.

They will be responsible for collaborating with the Executive Director & Manager of Special Education & Exceptional Student Services in the planning and visioning of the department.

The Manager will provide leadership and support to all programs falling under the early childhood department. The focus will be in developing equitable preschool programs across the district.

**Contingent upon funding**

EDUCATION TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience as an Administrator/ Teacher/Special Education Teacher at the Preschool level Leadership experience preferred

Certification/License Required:

• Administrator of Sp. Ed. PK-12 Certificate or Building Administrator with Special Education Teacher Certificate
• Master’s Degree in Special Education Administration and/or Educational Leadership with related special education coursework.
• RIDE Certified Early Childhood Educator Birth -2nd
• RIDE Certified Early Childhood Special Educator Birth-2nd
• Experience in RIPK Programs Preferred
• Experience with Bright Stars, CECE Preschool Program Expectations, and High Quality Preschools Preferred
• ESL Preferred

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS STANDARDS:

• Experience with curriculum/instructional design and adaptive technologies.
• Knowledge of and well versed in federal, state and local policies, rules, laws, regulations, and legislation pertaining to special education and nonpublic schools.
• Master's degree preferred
• Education, training, and experience in early childhood and early childhood special education
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local policies, rues, laws, regulations, and legislation pertaining to special education
• Experience with Bright Stars, CECE Program Expectations, Creative Curriculum, Unique, Teaching Strategies Gold preferred
• A minimum of 5 years of highly successful classroom teaching experience in special education is required.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and guidance for the purpose of enabling teachers to improve their practice.
• Knowledge of reading and behavioral interventions
• Knowledge of "teacher as coach practices" (e.g. demonstration lessons, observations, communication skills)
• Knowledge of RI Regulations Governing Students with Disabilities
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge and experience with research-based co-teaching models.
• Knowledge of differentiating instruction and Response to Intervention process.
• Knowledge of the RI Early Learning and Development Standards
• Knowledge of Developmentally Appropriate Practice
• Knowledge of Common Core Standards
• Knowledge of Implementation and analysis of District assessment tools
• Knowledge of PBIS and its implementation
• Knowledge of the general education curriculum, program of study, alternate assessment, best practices for instruction for students with disabilities, and special education eligibilities, supports and services.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with other offices, school staff, parents, and community members.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate group processes, build consensus and resolve conflict.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about the developmental supports and strategies utilized to meet the needs of Multilingual Learners with disabilities.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including successful facilitation of diverse groups.
• Must have the knowledge and skills to build positive relationships with people from diverse populations.
• Commitment to the mission and vision of PPSD and the relevance of job functions to that mission and vision.
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality
• Must possess and consistently model excellent interpersonal and customer service skills and the ability to maintain composure in a fast-paced and demanding environment.
• You must complete the new hire compliance training prior to your first day of employment
• Bilingual Preferred
• Selected candidates will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check. Selected candidates cannot begin work until passing their background

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The position includes but is not limited to the following list of representative duties:

• Establish a long term vision and implementation plan to meet the PPSD Turn around Action Plan (TAP) Early Childhood Goals
• Lead the district-wide implementation of RI Early Learning & Development Standards and Providence Public School District Pre-K Curriculum for all General Education Pre-K programs. Possess comprehensive knowledge and proven success implementing programs for children based on developmentally appropriate practices.
• Supervise, monitor, and regularly evaluate the quality and delivery of the instructional programs in all general and special education Pre-K classrooms including but not limited to the following:
• Review, prepare, and expand the menu of materials and resources that support instructional programs in an environment of increasing high quality Pre-K instruction.
• Research and enable use of best practices and other pertinent information that supports instructional programs.
• Ensure delivery of rigorous high quality Pre-K instruction.
• Work in collaboration with Ed Coordinators and administrators to support with managing ongoing assessment and reporting of student outcomes, academic/non-academic to stakeholders
• Develop and manage implementation of professional development that supports instructional programs, and builds the knowledge, skills, and practices needed for high quality Pre-K that leads to increased student achievement
• Meets regularly with Building Pre-K administrators to review expectations, and provide support
• Visits Pre-K classrooms regularly including common planning time to ensure successful curriculum implementation
• Work collaboratively and cooperatively with members of all PPSD departments
• Support with the department budgets including local and grant funds
• Collaborate with school and district level staff to continuously improve the academic achievement of students in preschool programs
• Collaborate with school staff to implement effective high quality preschool programs
• Ensure that all PPSD district Pre-K programming meets BrightStar Standards
• Provides instructional leadership in building equitable preschool programs, special education programs and services.
• Designs, coordinates and implements preschool expansion plans that support LRE and programmatic advancements.
• Works in partnership with preschool staff/colleagues to integrate research-based preschool instructional programs and strategies for children with and without disabilities.
• Works in partnership with preschool staff/colleagues to plan and develop a staffing plan for general education and special education programming based on student and district needs.
• Supports with the hiring, recruiting and training of all school-based staff
• Provides coaching and support to preschool educators on implementing academic supports and interventions and monitoring progress in a multi-tiered system of support.
• Provides guidance and support to school sites in the areas of compliance with state and federal law and district procedures. This includes new referrals, IEP meetings, 3 year evaluations, manifestation determination, and ESY
• Provide academic support, communication, and interventions for students with disabilities and their families.
• Runs successful Professional Learning Communities focused on coaching colleagues and intervention specialists with a focus on special education compliance and specialized instruction.
• Other duties as assigned.