GLHS Education Coach

## Description

The Greater Louisville Head Start (GLHS) Education Coach supports high-quality teacher-child interactions in our center-based program by implementing Practice-Based Coaching grounded in developmentally appropriate practice and the CLASS framework. This role involves observing classrooms, guiding individualized coaching cycles, analyzing data, and delivering targeted professional development to enhance instructional quality and promote positive child outcomes. The Education Coach works collaboratively with education staff and program leadership to ensure compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards and alignment with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework.

**Key Responsibilities include:**

• **Implements** Practice-Based Coaching strategies using adult learning principles to help teachers apply developmentally appropriate practices that foster high-quality teacher-child interactions, aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and school readiness goals.
• **Conducts** regular classroom observations using the CLASS tool to assess emotional support, classroom organization, and instructional support, using results to guide coaching that strengthens children’s cognitive, social-emotional, and language development.
• **Analyzes** program data (e.g., CLASS scores, child outcomes, professional development plans) to tailor coaching approaches that support best practices within a culturally and linguistically responsive framework.
• **Collaborates** with education managers, curriculum specialists, mental health consultants, and families to align classroom practices with each child’s developmental stage, family context, and learning needs.
• **Facilitates** strengths-based coaching conversations that promote teacher self-reflection, goal-setting, and implementation of evidence-based strategies supporting secure relationships, language-rich interactions, and play-based instruction.
• **Models** responsive interactions, individualized instruction, and behavior guidance techniques that reflect a deep understanding of child development from birth to age five.
• **Provides** tools and strategies to scaffold learning experiences based on children’s developmental readiness, interests, and cultural backgrounds, ensuring alignment with curriculum and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework.
• **Participates** in interdisciplinary team meetings to integrate child development knowledge into coaching and support children with diverse developmental, social-emotional, and behavioral needs.
• **Maintains** a resource library and shares current, research-based materials on early childhood development, trauma-informed care, and effective instructional strategies to strengthen teacher practice.
• **Conducts** site visits to Head Start classrooms to offer hands-on support in creating child-centered environments that promote exploration, curiosity, and secure relationships.
• **Documents** coaching activities and progress toward individual goals using appropriate tools and systems to evaluate impact and ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards.
• **Ensures** adherence to federal, state, and local regulations and performance standards, including implementation of developmentally appropriate curriculum, materials, and routines that support holistic child development.
• **Contributes** to professional development planning and facilitates training sessions grounded in child development theory, CLASS domains, and early learning best practices.
• **Monitors** classroom environments and daily interactions to ensure inclusive, nurturing, and well-organized settings that support all developmental domains.
• **Maintains** CLASS certification, calibration, and inter-rater reliability to ensure consistent, equitable observation and coaching feedback.
• **Prepares** written reports, coaching logs, and summaries to document progress, support compliance reporting, and guide continuous quality improvement.

## Qualifications
**Education & Experience Requirements**

• Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field, plus at least **three years of experience** in early childhood education, including **two years** focused on adult learning, coaching, or mentoring.
• OR, Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field, plus at least **five years of experience** in early childhood education, including **two years** focused on coaching, mentoring, or delivering professional development to educators.

**Knowledge & Skills**

• Strong understanding of developmentally appropriate practices and strategies that promote positive teacher-child interactions.
• Experience with Practice-Based Coaching (PBC) or similar instructional coaching models.
• Familiarity with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Current CLASS Pre-K observer certification, or willingness to obtain and maintain certification within six months of hire.
• Demonstrated ability to support culturally and linguistically diverse children, families, and staff.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a collaborative approach to working across teams.