Supervised by: Managing Director, Program Strategy
Status: Full Time, Non-exempt
Posting date: December 2024
ORGANIZATION
VOCEL is a non-profit early childhood education organization that equips and supports parents, teachers, and school leaders to strengthen early learning in their homes and schools. With a core focus on brain-building playful learning, VOCEL designs and implements group learning programs across Chicago, prioritizing under-resourced neighborhoods that have experienced decades of disinvestment. On a mission to help ensure every child has the foundation to learn, grow, and lead, VOCEL is committed to raising the bar for early childhood excellence in Chicago and propelling children citywide to social, emotional, language, and academic success.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
VOCEL is seeking a full-time Manager of Educator Supports to support VOCEL’s programming for educators and school leaders, including the Building Early Learning Leaders (BELL) fellowship, Early Educators for Thriving Children (EETC) fellowship, school leader workshops, and other future offerings, all focused on early childhood excellence and rigorous playful learning.
At the core of this role, the Manager will provide individualized coaching and support, cultivate partnerships with school leaders and teachers, and manage relevant program administration. This role will report to the Managing Director of Program Strategy, and require ample collaboration with the Director of School Leader Development, Director of Teacher Development, and Director of Partnerships. Please note that the percentages below are estimated based on the 2024-2025 school year enrollment and may shift.
Specific responsibilities will include:
- Serve as a coach and facilitator for teachers and the teacher fellowship (40% of position)
- Work with the Director of Teacher Development to provide and support further coaching and opportunities for growth for teachers and alumni
- As needed, provide in-person coaching support and observations to currently enrolled P-2 teachers
- Support with data entry from observations and coaching on Salesforce
- Support vision for teacher alumni experience including, but not limited to: gather input from EETC alumni to inform goals (i.e. sustain program impact, seek referrals to grow program reach); connect with VOCEL staff to learn about past alumni support, leader requests, and feedback
- Provide opportunities for alumni engagement and continuing support, including office hours, events, webinars, newsletters, etc
- Occasionally co-facilitate professional learning sessions and other offerings with the Director of Teacher Development
- Meet biweekly with the Director of Teacher Development to communicate and discuss learnings from school visits and coaching
- Serve as a coach and facilitator for school administrators (30% of position)
- Understand and adapt curriculum and session content (objectives, goals, and corresponding materials) and use to support developmentally appropriate, exemplary early learning practices tailored to individual’s learning goals
- Provide 1-on-1 coaching and support every 4-8 weeks in person and virtually for approximately 10-15 school administrators
- Conduct classroom observations and walk-throughs with school leaders and provide actionable feedback.
- Work with team members to share best practices + facilitate shared observations and learnings in partner schools
- Occasionally co-facilitate professional learning sessions and other offerings with the Director of School Leader Development
- Meet bi-weekly with Director of School Leader Development to communicate and discuss learnings from school visits and coaching
- Support in the recruitment and partner development of teachers and school leaders (15% of position)
- In collaboration with the Director of Partnerships foster relationships with school leaders and teachers to support recruitment efforts of Teacher and School Leader Programming
- Attend tabling and networking events to support marketing
- Write blog posts, social media posts, and editorial pieces quarterly to support increased visibility at VOCEL
- Create and execute various workshop offerings at school and community partners (10% of position)
- Stay current with research and trends in early childhood education to facilitate and develop workshops.
- Gather input from school leaders and educators to inform new types of professional learning
- Collaborate with the Managing Director of Programs and other members of the Program Team to create relevant workshops
- Execute standalone workshops annually as needed for a variety of partners
- Team Collaboration & Miscellaneous Responsibilities (5% of position)
- Attend all-team meetings, annual team retreat sessions, and other required VOCEL activities or events (in person and virtual)
- Other responsibilities as assigned
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- The schedule is flexible and will be set to accommodate internal and external meetings and events. Some evening and weekend hours will be required. Local travel to program, school, and community sites in the Chicagoland area is required. Some of those sites may not be ADA-accessible.
- This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers (laptops), photocopiers, scanners, filing cabinets, and common office supplies.
- This position requires a reliable cell phone with the capability to add apps for communication with VOCEL members and staff, i.e., Slack, BambooHR, etc.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and see. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to operate office equipment. This position may require long periods of sitting.
- The employee may occasionally lift objects up to 50 pounds, with assistance if needed.
- Employee will be required to provide documentation of U.S. citizenship or eligibility to work in the U.S.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
All decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, military service, order of protection status, physical, mental, or neuro disability, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state, or local statutes.
WHAT YOU BRING
This is an extraordinary opportunity for a dynamic, relational individual who wants to be part of an entrepreneurial, collaborative, mission-driven, and people-first organization.
Background and experience we’d like to see:
- 2+ years of experience in coaching, mentoring, or other individualized support
- 3+ years of experience facilitating group learning or other professional development specifically tailored to educators or early childhood professionals
- 3+ years of experience working in education, education administration, or nonprofit
- Degree in early childhood education, education leadership or related area of study; or equivalent training, knowledge development, or certification
- Ability to travel locally to schools, district offices, community events, etc.; personal vehicle & clean driving record required
- Proficiency in Google Workspace applications (including Docs, Gmail, Sheets, Slides), Zoom, and Slack, and willingness to learn to use new apps or platforms as needed
- Experience using Salesforce for data entry and reporting
The ideal candidate demonstrates:
- Expert facilitation skills in the context of group learning
- Experience in school administration and/or teacher leadership in elementary schools in Chicago Public Schools or Chicagoland area
- Experience leading adult learning focused on early childhood development
- Alignment with VOCEL’s core values (https://www.vocel.org/core-values)
- Entrepreneurial spirit
- Strong organization and time management
- Exemplary verbal communication skills
- Joyful and dynamic presence that exudes enthusiasm and confidence
- Warmth and positivity when interacting with educators, school leaders, partners, fellow team members, and external stakeholders
VOCEL OFFERS A COMPETITIVE COMPENSATION PACKAGE INCLUDING:
- Salary of $64,449-$69,820 per year, at 36 hours per week
- Health, dental, and vision insurance (50-60% covered by VOCEL)
- IRA with employer matching up to 3%
- Technology reimbursement
- Mileage reimbursement
- Generous paid time off including:
- Paid holidays (10 days) with opportunity to swap holidays for personal/religious observance
- 12 days of elective paid time off per year
- Winter and Spring breaks, aligned with CPS school calendar
- Up to five paid sick days
- Up to five paid self, family, and community care days
- “VOCEL Fridays” (staff work an abbreviated workday ending at 1pm)
TO APPLY:
- Follow instructions at this link
- Incomplete applications will not be accepted
- No phone calls please
- Deadline is January 14, 2025
