Early Childhood Inclusion Coordinator (Grant Funded) (Control Code: 92703)

TITLE: Inclusion Coordinator

REPORTS TO: Early Childhood Principal and Assistant Principal

JOB SUMMARY: The inclusion coordinator is responsible for coordinating services across early childhood settings (Valley View 365U and community based organizations), conducting needs assessments and observational tools related to inclusive practices, engaging practitioners in reflective practice and professional development, and collecting/reviewing progress monitoring data.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Develop relationships with community partners in day care centers, home-based family day cares and other community based organizations; collect data on how many children with special needs are currently enrolled; identify centers willing to collaborate and receive support on inclusive practices
? Write MOU with community-based early childhood programs that outlines the service model in accordance with federal guidance on early childhood inclusion
? Collect baseline data on inclusive practices in participating Community Based Organization classrooms using formal observational tools, suspension/expulsion program data, and informal classroom observations
? Conduct needs assessments (surveys/interviews) for programs and individual classrooms related to inclusive practices and current capacity to serve children with special needs
? Develop and implement action plans with individual classrooms/programs related to teacher surveys and baseline assessment data of inclusive practices; deliver professional development to support action plans that address all three tiers of practice (universal supports, secondary supports, and individualized interventions)
? Engage classroom staff in practice-based coaching and reflective practice to examine and address mindset, barriers, and instructional practices related to early childhood inclusion
? Provide feedback and resources (visuals, data collection methods, etc) and facilitate team problem-solving conversations to assist practitioners in improving their daily teaching practices of children with special needs and addressing challenging behavior
? Conduct observations of dually enrolled students (District Early Childhood Center and daycare) to ensure coordination of accommodations/interventions across settings; organize and facilitate collaborative teaming efforts across settings
? Collect ongoing data (informal observations, formal observational tool, enrollment data, suspension/expulsion data) to monitor progress and determine ongoing professional development needs related to early childhood inclusion
? Communicate and collaborate with stakeholders (day care center directors, parent coordinators, funding agency, etc) as well as Valley View administrators on progress and successes/challenges of interventions
? Participate in Birth to Five IL Region 56 Council meetings and other local collaborations in order to deepen community relationships and widen impact related to high-quality inclusive practices
? Coordinate the development of an community collaborative with Community Based Organization partners centered on promotion and support of early childhood inclusion throughout the Valley View community

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed in the school/ district environment where unusual temperature, noise, and hazards are relatively nonexistent. Work requires the employee to perform the following critical physical demands of the job in the school or district office setting as applicable:

• Ability to regularly talk, see, and hear.
• Ability to lift, pull, push, walk, stand, sit, and use your hands for fine manipulation during the normal performance of tasks and responsibilities.
• Ability to occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, and lift or move up to twenty-five (25) Pounds.
• Ability to travel from building to building and community organizations as needed.
• Be able to flex time as necessary to meet with educators and teams.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND LICENSURE

• Bachelor’s degree in child development, early childhood education, social work or a related field from an accredited college or university required.
• Master’s degree in an education related field, educational administration, or curriculum and instruction is preferred.
• Creative Curriculum/ECERS (Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale) Training/ISBE approved Early Childhood Assessment required.
• Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with Early Childhood Endorsement and Early Childhood Special Education Endorsement or Approval EXPERIENCE
• Five years of successful educational experience at the Early Childhood level.
• Participation in Continuous Improvement efforts and demonstrated success with application of Continuous Improvement methodology in classroom practice.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge, skills, and experience in curriculum development and assessment.
• Commitment to supporting at-risk families.
• Cultural and linguistic competency appropriate to Valley View School District.
• Evidence of relationship-building, communication, and organizational skills.
• Evidence of regular engagement in and desire to continue professional learning, implementation, and reflection
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with interruptions.
• Experience mentoring or serving in a capacity as a teacher leader, with desire for continued leadership opportunities.
• Ability to develop respect and rapport with colleagues as an educator who embraces the continuous improvement cycle; is supportive of the development of other educators; and is student learning focused.
• Experience with integration of instructional technology to enhance delivery and learning
• Demonstrated use of strategies for ensuring equitable practices in a diverse learning environment
• Effective communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills with a record of building relationships that foster collegial trust, promote teacher efficacy, aspire to high expectations and accountability, and maintain a common instructional focus as an effective team member.
• Serve as a role model for all students and perform their duties to create an environment that is conducive to providing students an enhanced and engaged learning opportunity.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: Salary for this position is in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement between the AFT-CIO Local 604 and the Valley View CUSD #365U. Coordinator work year is based on the contractual certified educator calendar with scheduled days as determined annually by the District. Coordinators will be assigned annually to support buildings as determined by need. This is an FLSA Exempt position.

PAY SCALE AND BENEFIT DISCLOSURE:

Salary is in accordance with the teacher salary schedule.

Benefits:

• Medical/Vision and Dental coverage through BCBSIL
• FSA and Dependent Daycare accounts
• Life, AD&D, and Long Term Disability insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Salary Advancement
• TRS contribution included in base salary
• 403B

EVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement between the Valley View Council and the Board of Education.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Applicants should apply on line at www.vvsd.org and upload a letter of application with a resume and three (3) current letters of recommendation, dated within the last twelve (12) months.

SELECTION PROCEDURE: The deadline for receiving applications is Until Filled. Interviews with selected applicants will be held as soon as practicable.