Early Childhood Coach

ODC Network is a nonprofit organization dedicated to outdoor education and conservation throughout West Michigan. At the heart of our mission is the ODC Early Childhood Network, where we proudly offer nature-based discovery preschools in Allegan and Ottawa County. Our commitment is to provide enriching early childhood learning opportunities for children aged 0-5, fostering the development of social, emotional, and academic skills.

Purpose:Early Childhood Coach plays a crucial role in supporting high-quality, developmentally appropriate, nature-based learning experiences for children ages birth-5. The Coach supports ODC Early Childhood Network staff through professional development, coaching, modeling, and feedback related to curriculum implementation, instructional practices, classroom support strategies, and social emotional teaching.

Primary Responsibilities:
Work with ODC staff at Gentex Discovery Preschool to maintain high-quality, child-led, nature-based teaching standards and curriculum through:

Curriculum Development and Support

• Coach and model the implementation of nature-based, birth-five curriculum, emphasizing lesson planning and study development for ODC teachers across all year-round ODC Discovery Preschool sites.
  
• Maintain and update the curriculum drive, incorporating components tailored to the unique needs of infants, toddlers, and preschool aged children, aligned with ODCs Early Childhood Networks vision.
  
• Manage and update physical curriculum resources in curriculum rooms at Gentex Discovery Preschool.
  
• Collaborate with teachers to ensure compliance with curriculum requirements.

Nature-Based Experiences

• Collaborate with Early Childhood Naturalists and Nature-Based Curriculum Coach to plan and prepare high-quality nature experiences specifically tailored to our birth-five, year-round programming at Gentex Discovery Preschool.
  
• As needed, assess the effectiveness of ODCs Early Childhood Networks curriculum and assessments for the birth-five age group.
  

Social Emotional Learning and Classroom Support

• Support teachers in implementing developmentally appropriate supports and social emotional teaching practices across birth-five classrooms through relationship-based approaches and Conscious Discipline strategies.
  
• Model and coach proactive and responsive teaching strategies that support emotional regulation, relationship-building, and positive peer interactions.
  
• Work alongside teachers to support classroom routines, transitions, and environments that promote social emotional development and reduce challenging behaviors.
  
• Collaborate with Site Directors, Support Services, and classroom teaching teams to support children with varying developmental and behavioral needs.
  
• Provide in-classroom modeling, feedback, and reflective support related to classroom management, co-regulation, and teaching practices.
  
• Provide timely, responsive support to classrooms experiencing behavioral challenges, partnering with Support Services to ensure coordinated, consistent interventions.
  

Professional Development and Training

• Stay current on best practices in curriculum development within environmental and early childhood education, attending webinars and professional development opportunities.
  
• Plan and facilitate birth-five, nature-based education training sessions for ODCs Early Childhood Network.

Additional Responsibilities

• All other duties as assigned by the Chief of Early Childhood Education and the executive management team

Professional Responsibilities: Maintain educational and training requirements for childcare licensing and quality program assessments.

Supervision/Evaluation: Supervision and evaluation will be provided by the Chief of Early Childhood Education. This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or a Child Related Field preferred
  
• Minimum of Current Preschool CDA or Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development or a Child Related Field required.
  
• Experience in infant-toddler curriculum preferred
  
• Experience in nature-based education or environmental sciences preferred
  
• Experience in birth-five curriculum required
  
• Experience with Conscious Discipline, relationship-based care, or social emotional teaching practices preferred.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated interest in young children and early childhood education.
  
• Interest in nature, nature-based inquiry and learning.
  
• Willingness to spend a significant amount of time outdoors each day, in all types of weather.
  
• Demonstrated good character, responsibility and suitability to meet the needs of children with diverse backgrounds and learning differences.
  
• Ability to work effectively in a team.
  
• Must pass a complete Michigan background check, including fingerprinting.
  
• Current certification in Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR. Training will be provided if needed.
  
• Bilingual English speakers are highly encouraged to apply.

Physical Demands: This position requires the following physical activities: pushing, pulling, climbing, walking, standing, squatting, stooping, kneeling, twisting, reaching, sitting, lifting, bending, finger dexterity, grasping, repetitive motions, talking, hearing and visual acuity. The work/teaching is performed indoors and outdoors. Additionally, this position requires occasionally lifting up to 50 pounds and walking, standing, and sitting for extended periods of time.

Equipment Operated: Must be proficient with Microsoft Office applications, Google Suite, and the operation of general office equipment.

These job responsibilities represent only the essential and most significant duties of the position. This job description does not exclude other work assignments, directives and responsibilities not mentioned above.

ODC Network complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Kaylee Mesbergen, Chief of People & Culture at kaylee@outdoordiscovery.org.