ITINERANT EARLY CHILDHOOD ACCESS SPECIALIST 818

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Itinerant Early Childhood Access Specialist

Somerville Public Schools, Early Education, and Care Department

We are seeking a highly skilled and knowledgeable Itinerant Early Childhood Educational Access Specialist to ensure curriculum access for all children, including children who are multilingual learners and have a disability, in 8 childcare centers located across a small, diverse urban city in Massachusetts. Candidates must have experience working with diverse student populations and knowledge of the early childhood field, Individualized Educational Plans, WIDA standards, and assessment tools such as the Ages and Stages Questionnaire and the Early Screening Inventory, and a strong commitment to equity and inclusion. The Itinerant Early Childhood Specialist will work directly with students, teachers, and directors in childcare settings, and the position thus requires travel within the city.

Responsibilities

Assist in the implementation of a comprehensive MTSS system in community partner centers.

Oversee the Universal Screening process and use results from assessments conducted with tools such as the Ages and Stages Questionnaire and the Early Screening Inventory to develop in collaboration with families and program staff individualized MTSS plans to support students to access the curriculum.

Provide individualized support to young children in child care centers, including but not limited to implementing interventions and facilitating inclusive classrooms.

Foster relationships with directors, teachers, students, and families to promote access to high-quality early childhood education for all children, including children who are multilingual learners and have a disability.

Collaborate with local schools and community organizations to provide seamless transitions for children moving from early childhood programs to school, including children who are multilingual learners and have a disability.

Promote equity and inclusion in all aspects of work, including working with families and staff from diverse cultural backgrounds and creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all children.

Create an atmosphere of trust and collaboration among staff that will promote professional growth and accelerate the achievement of all students.

At the beginning of the school year, meets with the Director for Early Education ad Care to determine the schedule and priorities for training, conferences, workshops, meetings at the school, district, and/or other levels as applicable.

Provide job-embedded and external professional development to support teachers and directors in fostering inclusive classroom environments (i.e., universal screeners, data collection, positive behavior management, special education eligibility process, etc.)

Work directly with other members of the Somerville Partnership for Young Children itinerant team to foster inclusion.

Participate in meetings, workshops, and trainings to stay current on best practices in special education and early childhood education, and as required by the school, district, or laws, to address student’s need.

Complete all required reports, documentation, and data collection efforts in a timely and accurate manner.

Maintain student confidentiality in thorough and secure record-keeping following FERPA, IDEA, and HIPPA guidelines when needed.

Review reports from medical providers such as developmental evaluations, neuropsychological evaluations, and pediatric dx/recs to support community and special education referrals.

Other such duties as assigned by the Director of Early Education and Care.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, English as a Second Language, Special Education, Psychology, or related field. A Master’s Degree is preferred.

Must hold a Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education license as a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities PK-8 or School Psychologist.

At least 5 years of experience working with a population of diverse children, including experience working with Early Education Centers.

Strong knowledge of the early childhood field, Individualized Education, WIDA standards, assessment tools such as the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, and early childhood education best practices.

A commitment to equity and inclusion and the ability to effectively serve children and families from diverse backgrounds.

Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks and priorities, and maintain a flexible schedule.

Must be able to travel regularly within Somerville.

Citizenship, residency, or work visa required.

Bilingual preferred

Terms of Employment:

Full-time, multiple locations, non-standard hours

209 Work Days

Unit A

Position Type:

This is a grant-funded, temporary position (eligible for benefits). Funded by the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative grant. Opportunities for summer employment related to summer programming, professional development, and classroom support.

Position Reports to

: Director of Early Education and Care

The Itinerant Educational Access Specialist position is an outstanding opportunity for a highly motivated educator who is culturally competent and committed to ensuring that all students meet and exceed the kindergarten readiness benchmarks. If you are passionate about improving the lives of young children and families and promoting equity and inclusion, please submit your resume and cover letter for consideration.

Funding:

Funded by the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative grant.

The Somerville Public Schools does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, home status, marital/civil union status, sex/gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, citizenship status, place of birth, national origin, ancestry, cultural identity, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.

About the Somerville Partnership for Young Children:

The Somerville Partnership for Young Children (SPYC) is a coordinated effort between Somerville Public Schools, the City of Somerville, Head Start, community-based early education centers, and other community organizations.

Through Somerville's mixed delivery system, Somerville Partnership for Young Children (SPYC) leads a network of early education and care providers to expand access to high-quality preschool and child care for children in Somerville from birth through age 5. SPYC is committed to equity in educational outcomes for all children regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, home language, geography, or culture.

The goal of SPYC is to expand early childhood education program access and align and improve the quality of Somerville’s local early childhood education system through strategic partnerships between the Somerville Public Schools district, the City of Somerville, and participating early childhood centers and providers in Somerville that are licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC).

Position Type:

Full-time

Positions Available:

1

Welcome to Somerville Public Schools!

Education - Inspiration - Excellence are the themes that characterize the instructional services, departments and programs of the Somerville Public Schools.

Our Mission: The Somerville Public Schools is dedicated to the realization of the full intellectual, physical, social, and emotional potential of all students. Our talented team of teachers and other professionals provides every student with the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to be successful throughout their lives. This is accomplished through the delivery of innovative instruction guided by the Massachusetts Curriculum and Somerville Curriculum Frameworks, and supported through partnerships with organizations such as Primary Source, and the Center for Engineering Education and Outreach at Tufts University.

Job Requirements

No experience required

Contact Information

Central HR

8 Bonair St.

Somerville, Massachusetts 02145

Phone: 617-625-6600

Email: centralhr@k12.somerville.ma.us

Company info

Somerville School Department
Phone : 617-625-6600