Early Childhood Regional Access Coach - Center for Learning, Education & Employment - UTK at University of Tennessee System in Knoxville, TN

Job description

The Regional Access Coach/Specialist will work closely with key stakeholders at the Early Learning Division and the Division of Special Education and Intervention Programming at the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) and will be an integral partner with the department in their implementation of the Early Childhood Access for All Learning Network, which provides training and support for preschool students with disabilities across the state. The goal for the Regional Access Coaches is to interpret state directives to increase inclusive opportunities and increase access to developmentally appropriate environments and high quality instruction with the focus on improving outcomes for preschool students with disabilities. A person in this position has knowledge of instruction and developmentally appropriate practices for students ages 3-5 in least restrictive environments in Tennessee, as well as having a clear understanding of the development of Instructionally Appropriate Individualized Education Programs (IAIEPs). This position will support selected districts with implementation of training principles through interpreting directives, assessing performance, designing and/or delivering training, direct observation, coaching, and evaluating. Early Childhood Regional Access Coaches/Specialists will work with selected Early Childhood Access for All districts to provide support for educators and district leaders being trained on developmentally appropriate practices, for students ages 3-5, including access to high-quality inclusive environments, social-emotional supports, and instruction. The Regional Access Coaches will collaborate with teachers and district leaders to impact educators across the state over the duration of this project. This position will require frequent travel to assigned districts in TN. Ensuring fidelity of classroom implementation of training principles related to access to high-quality core instruction and intensive intervention Decision-making for the development and implementation of Instructionally Appropriate Individualized Education Programs (IAIEPs) Interpreting state directives and how they apply to individual districts and classrooms through development and monitoring of quality improvement plans Collaborating closely with the Early Learning Division and the Division of Special Education and Intervention Programming at TDOE and ensuring project guidelines and goals are met including fiscal allocations Collaborating regularly with the Access for All Learning Network team to ensure aligned and coordinated support to districts, schools, and educators Collaborate with other contractors partnered with TDOE when assigned districts are engaged in multiple partnerships District Coaching, observations, and evaluation: Work on conducting needs assessments and planning meetings with teachers and district leaders to identify areas of support needed Traveling to districts within the assigned region to provide coaching and training support on a weekly basis (estimated distances within 1-2.5 hours) Providing direct coaching to the educators and the districts by working directly with district administrators to assess the needs of the district, schools, and educators. Collaborate with district Inclusion Leadership Team to develop inclusion plan outlining goals and action steps for systemic change Achieving reliability and observing educators and classroom environments using quality assessment measures such as Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) and/or the Preschool Instructional Practice Guide (IPG). Conduct pre- and post-observations for selected teachers in the participating districts Enter data into designated systems and use data collected during observations to coach educators to set goals for growth in quality practices. Training Development and Delivery Regional Access Coaches will design and/or deliver Preschool Access for All training. They will contribute to the development of the training content