Expanded Learning Program Jobs in Branford, CT (NOW HIRING)

The Emergent Curriculum Literacy Coordinator plays a pivotal role in education and library science, partnering with educators to elevate their approach to fostering children’s growth through literacy and curriculum.

This role emphasizes promoting the mission of Friends Center by supporting young children’s development through Emotional Well-Being practices, early learning strategies, and equitable access to literacy and community resources via a Mobile Library.

As part of the School Leadership Team, the Emergent Curriculum Literacy Coordinator supports educators in using literacy to build positive, caregiving relationships with children while honoring each child’s home culture, language, and self-identified needs.

With a focus on promoting the mission of Friends Center, the successful candidate will be passionate about supporting young children’s development through Emotional Well-Being practices, early learning strategies, and equitable access to literacy and community resources.

Key Responsibilities:

Community Connection

• Partner with local organizations, libraries, and service providers to expand wraparound support for families.
• Design and launch the Mobile Library Program to provide accessible, hands-on literacy experiences that promote early literacy and social-emotional skill-building.
• Use the mobile library as a platform for sharing community information, offering resources, and deepening school-community ties.

• Engage with local universities and colleges to recruit interns from the library science or other related degree programs who can support the Mobile Library Program operations.
• Attend annual Curriculum Night and New Haven Family Stroll events to build relationships and provide opportunities for children, staff, and families to engage with the Mobile Library.

Child and Educator Support

• Organize family learning events, storytimes, and parent workshops focused on early literacy, development, and social-emotional skills.
• Build strong, trusting relationships with educators and their children to promote healthy development, learning, and emotional growth.
• Partner with educators to identify their strengths, interests, and needs, and help connect them with educational and local community resources.
• Help adapt curriculum and classroom activities to reflect the needs and cultures of all learners.

Classroom and Curriculum Collaboration

• Share techniques to promote emotional intelligence, self-regulation, and positive peer-to-peer and adult-child interactions.
• Support educators in creating learning experiences that integrate literacy, play, and Emotional Well-Being.
• Collaborate with teachers to support developmentally appropriate, inclusive classroom practices and routines using literacy as a tool.

Mobile Library and Literacy Outreach

• Host read-aloud, interactive storytelling, and adult-child literacy workshops as part of mobile outreach.
• Distribute educational materials and offer guidance to caregivers on supporting early literacy in any setting.
• Develop and lead a Mobile Library Program that brings high-quality, inclusive children’s books and resources to childcare programs, neighborhoods, community centers, and school events.

Resource Development and Library Services

• Curate a child- and family-friendly physical and mobile resource library with books, learning tools, and accessible information about parenting and community support.
• Inform the creation of a lending library system that is electronic, user-friendly, accessible, and efficient.

Professional Development

• Support teachers and colleagues with strategies for social-emotional learning and developmentally appropriate teaching practices that promote literacy.
• Lead or co-lead professional development sessions around literacy, well-being, and inclusive family engagement.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of early literacy practices, child development, and inclusive learning environments.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel locally using a mobile library van or vehicle.
• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or higher, Library Science, or a related field required; Master’s preferred.
• Experience working with children ages 0–8 and their families in educational or community settings.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills across diverse communities.

Key Skills:

• Collaborative mindset and flexibility in working with educators, families, and community partners.
• Creativity and initiative in designing mobile learning and literacy experiences.
• Organizational skills to manage mobile outreach schedules, book collections, and community events.
• Ability to lift and carry 40 lbs.

Physical Requirements:

• Traveling up/down a flight of stairs, standing and sitting for long durations, typing for continuous hours on a computer keyboard, and reading information on a computer
• Vision and hearing within normal range so as to be able to provide sight and sound supervision

• Passion for promoting joy in learning, early literacy, and emotional growth.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid Leave
• Sick Leave
• Retirement Plan
• Tuition Assistance
• Child Care Discount
• Professional Development

• Paid Time Off: 11 federal holidays, Winter Recess, 10 paid personal days

  Employee Child Tuition Discount: Up to $22,000 for children enrolled at FCfC (based on income)

  Health Insurance: FCfC will contribute 80% of the equivalent of a standard HMO individual coverage cost through our provider for our group health insurance program.

  Paid Professional Development: Up to $500 per year.

  Tuition Reimbursement for ECE coursework: Up to $4,000 per year, Amount dependent on years of service at FC.

  Emergency Financial Hardship Loan: Up to $1,000 per year, dependent on years of service at FC.

  Emergency Financial Hardship Grant: Up to $1,000 per year, dependent on years of service at FC.

  Emotional Hardship Program: Emotional Wellbeing support as needed.

  Haven's Harvest Program: Free food from Trader Joe's (bi-weekly)