Curriculum Specialist, Child Development Center - (Full - Time)

CURRICULUM SPECIALIST, CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER – FULL - TIME
TRUMAN COLLEGE



Truman College is seeking a Full - Time Curriculum Specialist to work in our Child Development Center. Under the supervision of the Director – Child Development Center, the Curriculum Specialist ensures that the classroom team maintains a warm and nurturing classroom environment that offers a developmentally appropriate curriculum that meets the needs of the children Birth to 3. This position ensures all classrooms are aligned with the educational and philosophical goals of the program. In addition, the Curriculum Specialist assists the Director in the implementation of all program models. Performs related duties as required.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Adheres to NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct, demonstrating a professional attitude and work ethic. Demonstrates respect for children, families, and colleagues at all times.
• Ensures that staff are developing and implementing an appropriate centered play-based curriculum that provides for a variety of developmentally appropriate activities to promote the development of infants and toddlers in the areas of language, cognition, social-emotional, and fine and gross motor skills. This should be done with consideration of the center’s goals, educational philosophy, curriculum plans, and grant and licensing requirements.

• Ensures that staff provides a nurturing, stimulating, non-punitive, and culturally sensitive environment that encourages language, self-expression, exploration, creativity, imaginative play, thinking skills, and the development of positive relationships.
• Ensures that staff provide a safe, healthy environment for all children, ensuring attention to classroom health, hygiene, nutrition, and safety. This includes maintaining a clean and orderly environment for all children; ensuring personal hygiene/hand washing; health and nutrition; reporting accidents, injuries, and illnesses to parents and supervisors; and maintaining supervision of the children.
• Assists the Director in collaborating with college and community partners.
• Facilitates lesson-planning meetings to support job-embedded professional learning on an individualized level, with a single classroom teacher or team.
• Ensures that classroom team and curriculum adheres to licensing, accreditation, and funder standards and regulations. May also include completion of paperwork, files, and documentation to comply with regulations.
• Oversees and participates in the completion of required paperwork, logs, and records, as well as documentation to assess individual children and the class as a whole.
• Participates in center staff meetings, offering information that may be of benefit to other teachers and assistants. May be asked to share information from their own professional development to other staff.
• Implements staff meetings with classroom staff to discuss curriculum, classroom and center issues, individualization of the curriculum for all children, addressing student needs, etc.
• Provides coaching and mentoring practicum students throughout the experience, including involvement with the development and implementation of lesson plans, interactions with the children, and discussions with the practicum supervisor about practicum requirements, expectations and student performance.
• Adheres to requirements put forth by funding, licensing, and accreditation agencies.
• Works with Education Manager to ensure classroom quality is maintained.
• Assists in coordinating educational family events.
• Assists Site Director and Disabilities Manager in providing ongoing training related to education and disabilities for all the classrooms.
• Designated as Director in the absence of Site Director.
• Substitutes in the classroom as needed.
• Participates in any curriculum initiatives being implemented.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Child Development, Early Childhood Education or a related field, plus two (2) years of experience working with children in a preschool setting. Master’s Degree preferred.
• Option 1: Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Early Childhood Education Credential, Level 5 and/or IL Profession Educators License (former Type 04 certification) with ECE endorsement or be able to attain within 18 months of hire.
• Option 2: Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Infant Toddler Credential, Level 5 or be able to attain within 18 months of hire.
• Certified CLASS Pre-K and Toddler Observer within 12 months of hire, including annual renewal.
• Need to have or attain the CLASS Certified Assessor, complete the Creative Curriculum-Coaching to Fidelity Training, TS GOLD Interrater Reliability certification.
• Must have and maintain a warm, supportive attitude towards children and their families.
• Should be able to demonstrate the ability to create developmentally appropriate lessons, interact positively with children and other staff, in particular practicum students, and understand and attend to the physical, social, cognitive, and emotional needs of the children.
• Must be able to lead a team, coach personal, and manage the classroom environment and requirements.
• Must be willing to accept supervision and continue professional development in the field in order to improve work performance.
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing with children, parents, and other staff members, as well as for documenting children’s growth and learning.
• Must be flexible in receiving assignments and adapting to changes in the program. Must be willing to participate in quality enhancement initiatives that the center may undertake.
• Must be able to work well within a culturally diverse environment with the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to operate computers and use applicable software required.

WE OFFER: Excellent benefit package includes health insurance, investment programs, pension plan, generous vacation, holiday, personal and sick days, and tuition reimbursement. For a more detailed overview of benefits, please visit the benefits page of our website.



Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within six months of hire. We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Thank you for your interest in CCC.