License and Certification Qualifications:
- Must hold or be eligible for a valid Georgia Educator's Certificate in Educational Leadership and/or Support Personnel License issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission Required
Education Qualifications:
- Master's Degree in related field Required
- Specialist's Degree in related field Preferred
- Doctoral Degree in related field Preferred
Experience Qualifications:
- 10+ years of combined educational and administrative experience with at least two years of direct experience in the development of early learning of students either in a teaching role or at the administrative level Required
- System level PreK-12 experience Preferred
Skills Qualifications:
- Knowledge of school and district operations and procedures.
- Ability to effectively lead program initiatives to ensure growth and advancement for all students.
- In depth knowledge of early learning development and programs.
- Effective and collaborative leadership skills.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to promote positive work environments across the division.
- Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups including the Board of Education, Superintendent, school staff and the general public.
Primary Responsibilities:
To provide strategic leadership for planning, directing, executing and continually improving GCPS early learning programming (internal programming, Pre-K, early childhood special education, and community programming) for Gwinnett's children birth to age five that will ensure that each and every child is prepared to thrive in Kindergarten and beyond.
- Lead the development, articulation, evaluation, and revision of the early childhood education curriculum and learning opportunities.
- Lead the implementation of the early childhood curriculum and instruction programs that support the system's strategic vision.
- Provide continuous quality improvement of the instructional program based on assessed areas of needs as supported by current educational research.
- Work collaboratively with the Executive Director of Accountability and Assessment to assure curricular and instructional functions support student accountability and are based on student achievement data.
- Lead the development and continuance of a collaborative early learning ecosystem across Gwinnett County and GCPS.
- Communicate effectively with all internal and external audiences as needed to support the district's vision, mission, and goals.
- Collaborate with county, state and national political leaders and organizations to enhance GCPS' early childhood programming.
- Lead county-wide initiatives including the continued facilitation of Gwinnett Building Babies' Brains.
- Lead and support the coordinated planning, implementation, and evaluation of system-wide comprehensive early childhood special education programs.
- Lead and support the development of early childhood special education curriculum and instructional practices that are coordinated and articulated with the system's Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) defined curriculum.
- Lead and support the collaborative and coordinated improvement of early childhood special education programs.
- Lead and support teachers and paraprofessionals in community based settings.
- Lead and support early childhood assessment teams throughout the county.
- Support the local school delivery of coordinated early childhood special education instructional services.
- Collaborate with the school age special education program to support the district's compliance with all relevant special education regulatory framework.
- Lead the appropriate staffing for and professional development of early childhood special education programs and teachers.
- Evaluate and guide the work of the directors and coordinators in the office of Early Learning & School Readiness.
- Set and monitor expectations of departmental leadership, promoting collaborative planning, innovative thinking and exemplary programs and services.
- Participate in the recommendation of personnel appointments to the department.
- Lead the development, implementation, and management accountability of the departmental budget and grants.
- Lead and support the coordinated work of the departmental staff.
- Lead and support professional development activities for all staff that are coordinated and articulated with the district's strategic direction for professional development.
- Collaboration within GCPS in support of readiness in Kindergarten and beyond.
- Support and collaborate with the Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education and Student Support, Chief Learning Officer, and the CEO/Superintendent.
- Function in a supportive and collaborative manner as a division team member.
- Function in a supportive and collaborative manner with the CEO/Superintendent and the CEO/Superintendent's Cabinet.
- Collaborate cross-divisionally including the Executive Director of School Operations and Support, Executive Director of Data Governance, Executive Director of Special Education and Psychological Services, Executive Director of Research, Evaluation and Analytics, Executive Director of Federal Programs and Special Programs, among others.
- Support local principals in their efforts to maximize school readiness and student achievement.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit for extended periods of time. The employee is also required to talk, hear, stand, and walk. The employee may be required to use hands to touch, handle, feel, and/or reach. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to operate a motor vehicle in performance of duties. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.