Education Specialist

Education Specialist

Reports to: Program Director FLSA Classification: Exempt

Status: Full-Time Gender: Any

Shift: Varies

THE CENTER

The Flance Early Learning Center is a diverse early childhood community that respects and nurtures children and adults in a trusting culture of love, empathy, compassion, and joy. An integral part of our mission and practice is to develop partnerships with families and community organizations that prepare and empower children to embrace learning, a strong sense of self, and social connection as essential tools for growth and achievement.

Overall Responsibility

The Education Specialist leads early childhood curriculum and instructional practice for children birth to age five. This role ensures teaching, planning, and learning environments align with developmentally appropriate practice, Head Start Performance Standards, state licensing, and Flance philosophy, and provides staff with ongoing guidance and feedback.

Planning

• Partner with the Program Director on annual curriculum planning, scope and sequence, and school readiness alignment.
• Oversee curriculum implementation across classrooms through planning tools and observations to ensure consistent, high-quality practice.
• Ensure curriculum work aligns with Head Start standards, licensing requirements, and program policies.
• Lead lesson and unit planning; review and approve plans and materials to ensure goal alignment across developmental domains.
• Develop training materials and curriculum resources.
• Support educators in using assessment data to plan, differentiate, and individualize instruction.
• Support individualized, data-informed learning activities that promote readiness and smooth transitions.
• Evaluate curriculum effectiveness using child outcomes and observations; recommend improvements.
• Onboard new hires and provide ongoing instructional consultation.
• Coordinate referrals with the LEA, families, and internal/contracted providers.
• Lead monthly PACE family engagement strategies that support learning continuity between home and school.
• Identify professional development needs aligned to observations, assessments, and goals.
• Maintain the annual education and training calendar.
• Ensure classrooms and common areas are safe, inclusive, and display children's work.

Interactions

• Build strong partnerships with staff, families, leadership, and community partners.
• Align curriculum with social-emotional and wraparound supports with the Program Director and leadership.
• Provide daily classroom-based guidance, modeling, and feedback.
• Communicate curriculum expectations and updates.
• Support family understanding of curriculum goals and classroom practices.
• Model culturally responsive, professional communication aligned to Flance values.
• Share instructional trends and recommendations to support quality improvement.

Implementation

• Use assessment data to guide planning and strengthen Creative Curriculum implementation.
• Ensure timely documentation of lesson plans and implementation.
• Support special education and inclusion initiatives (MOA, QAR, Pre-K Collaborative).
• Maintain education data systems and technology tools (e.g., Teaching Strategies, ASQ/ASR).
• Deliver professional development and workshops for education staff.
• Support implementation of Conscious Discipline and positive behavior guidance.
• Participate in team meetings and case consultations focused on social-emotional development.
• Advise on environments, routines, transitions, and behavior supports.
• Manage instructional materials, inventory, and ordering.

Skills and Attributes

• Use tools (e.g., ASQ-3, ASQ:SE) to analyze outcomes and guide improvement.
• Strong communication skills; able to build constructive relationships with children and adults.
• Patient, flexible, nurturing, and proactive; takes initiative and honors each child's individuality.
• Commitment to continuous professional learning.
• CPR/First Aid certification required (or obtain within 60 days).

Environmental Factors

Work occurs in classrooms and offices with high noise/activity levels and constant child supervision. Requires health screen, TB test, Hepatitis A vaccination, and annual background check (including fingerprinting). Must fully participate in Center life and be able to lift/carry 25 lbs. and be active indoors/outdoors (e.g., floor sitting, prolonged standing, squatting, bending, quick movement).

Education/Experience

• Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education (Master's preferred).
• 5–7 years of experience with children birth to age 5 and families preferred.
• Knowledge of community resources for children and families.
• Ability to work effectively with families from diverse backgrounds; knowledge of family risk factors (e.g., homelessness, intimate partner violence, substance use).
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice and behavior guidance.

Flance Early Learning Center is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applicants for all positions equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic condition, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation (real or perceived), any disability as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act, or for any other characteristic protected by applicable United States federal or state law.

Salary : $49,000 - $61,000