Description

The Early Language and Literacy Initiative (ELLI) is a high quality interdisciplinary approach to early childhood education. The ELLI Educator will work collaboratively with the innovative ELLI teaching staff and ELLI partners, including Stepping Stones and Literacy How, to ensure quality and comprehensive teaching and learning experiences are consistently provided for children ranging in age from birth to 5. The ELLI Educator facilitates the ELLI teaching approach in a complex, play-based learning environment, embedding early language and literacy within content-rich learning units designed according to guidelines established by ELLI, the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The ELLI Educator will have frequent contact with parents and families.

The ELLI Educator will support one or more sites, including the ELLI Lab School at Stepping Stones, ELLI at Fairfield University and ELLI in Norwalk Public Schools. The ELLI Educator will work with the ELLI Director and support the ELLI Educators.

Position Responsibilities:

Leadership and Accountability

• Responsible for the daily management and operations of the ELLI Classroom in accordance with applicable state and local laws and regulations.
• Responsible for the supervision of the children at all times while they are at the facility, indoors or outdoors, or on field trips. At no time shall a child be left unsupervised. 
• Schedules and conducts meetings throughout the year with designated consultants as established within the consulting agreements.
• Implements and annually reviews specific written policies, plans and procedures required by applicable statute or regulation, including Professional Development and OEC Registry. 
• Ensure the health and safety of children under their active supervision at all times
• Possess ability to frequently face deadlines with attention to detail and must complete tasks in a timely manner. Considerable amounts of variable levels of concentration with frequent or constant interruptions. Must be able to handle multi-faceted tasks on a frequent basis.
• Carry out activities on a daily basis and evaluate the effectiveness of child development activities
• Provide appropriate referrals for children and family
• Plan, develop, and implement individual education and action plans when needed
• Maintain confidentiality of child and family information at all times

Staff Development

• Provides direction and supervision for staff, interns and volunteers who provide a service to the ELLI Classroom.
• Provides ELLI Director with current, regularly updated model classroom schedule to ensure adequate supporting educator coverage. 
• Supports the Stepping Stones Human Resources Team and ELLI Director in the completion of mid-year and annual performance management process for the teaching staff. 
• Coordinates the attendance of team members at classes, seminars, workshops, conferences or forums, and participates in and shares learning activities that improve knowledge, skills and abilities related to early language and literacy.

Learning Impact

• Leads the planning and daily implementation of ELLI aligned immersive, experimental and experiential learning opportunities for all children as part of a collaborative teaching team; follows a structured process of programmatic happenings and curriculum; expands and embraces the capabilities of children.
• Creates and maintains a complex, evolving, engaging learning environment that supports the ELLI experience and encourages further learning and exploration.
• Works with the Executive Director, ELLI research team and ELLI Teaching Team to implement activities and research, documentation and assessment practices identified through the Research Agenda into daily classroom operations.
• Exhibits enthusiasm for educational innovation and a commitment to creating a child-centered environment at all times.
• Engages parents and caregivers in the learning outcomes for their children by welcoming and connecting with each parent through conferences, workshops, parent events and daily interactions; encourages supportive and involved relationships with each parent; provides opportunities that help build skills for parents, caregivers and educators.
• Participates in ongoing professional development. 
• Carry out activities on a daily basis and evaluate the effectiveness of child development activities
• Provides appropriate referrals for children and family.
• Plans, develops, and implements individual education and action plans when needed.
• Maintain confidentiality of child and family information at all times.

Teamwork and Collaboration

• Leads, participates in and shares learning activities that improve knowledge, skills and abilities related to early learning and literacy; actively participates and supports the work of the ELLI Team at all times.
• Collaborates with the President, Director, ELLI staff, and museum staff to consistently create quality learning experiences for children enrolled in the ELLI Model Classrooms. 
• Supports the planning and implementation of special programming and events coordinated by the ELLI Community Resource Team.
• Works collaboratively with the President, Director, ELLI Teaching Team, and other museum staff to identify and provide cross-functional learning opportunities. 
• Works collaboratively with NPS staff, to identify support needs, shared resources and other opportunities for classroom enhancement.
• Maintain proper classroom coverage by meeting child adult ration.
• Dedication to working closely and cooperatively in a community-based organization with diverse staff, clients, families and/or partnerships.
• Ability to demonstrate cooperative behavior at all times and communicate well with all levels of staff, supervisors, children, and families.
• Increases the effectiveness of surrounding teams through collaboration, constant learning, and supporting others; sensitive to diversity; respects and is committed to learning from others.

Stewardship and Community Focus

• Acts as an ambassador and actively shares information within area communities to raise awareness of the museum and the Early Language and Literacy Initiative.
• Represents Stepping Stones as a highly respected educational resource and effectively shares the vision, mission and strategies in a variety of settings.
• Proactively identifies, recruits and leverages expertise and resources to create win-win community partnerships.
• Encourages Classroom family participation in community events and programs at the School and Stepping Stones Museum for Children. 

Requirements

Required Education and/or Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development or human development or a four (4) year degree in a related field with at least twelve (12) credits in child development or early childhood education. 
• Minimum two (2) years’ experience at a licensed child day care center that meets standards comparable to those in Connecticut and/or experience in group care for children ranging in age from birth to 5 years.
•  Must maintain up to date Pediatric First Aid, CPR and AED certification along with other required licensing regulations.

Minimum Experience/Skills:

• Combination of education and experience in early childhood programs and/or pre-school setting.
• Knowledge of language and pre-literacy development.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with staff and community partners.
• Creative problem-solving skills; proven ability to recommend and implement process improvements and new initiatives; strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Sensitive to diversity including individuals with physical challenges or special needs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards, or comparable standards framework.
• Computer skills including Microsoft Office; proven ability to learn new systems and software.
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. The employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to handle. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear. The employee is often required to stand, walk, reach with hands/arms, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally life and/or move up to 60 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. Must be physically fit and capable of lifting, scooping, squatting, bending, sitting, and standing for an extended period of time.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. If possible, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate to high.

Disclaimer: 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. All staff may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities, as needed.