Position Summary
The Curriculum and Instruction Specialist will support Master and Associate Teachers at Fisher to reflect on and refine their practices, evaluate curricula, and improve best practices and instructional quality through coaching, consultation and professional development.
Essential Functions
Curriculum and Instructional Support
- Provide support for curriculum development and instruction across all departments at Fisher (infant, toddler, preschool, prekindergarten) by observing, consulting with teachers, connecting teachers with specialists and resources, and informing teachers of professional development opportunities.
- Support program implementation of selected curricula, instructional methods, assessment tools and any supplemental materials at all age levels. Align program practices and standards to support quality implementation, and inform teachers of development opportunities.
- Provide support to teachers in creating lesson plans that align with the curricula and are developmentally appropriate. Review lesson plans and provide teachers with timely feedback and recommendations.
- Provide instructional support by observing students, consulting with teachers, modeling strategies, and supporting differentiation.
- Participate in relevant committees at Fisher.
- Collaborate with Fisher Inclusion Team to support teachers in the implementation of strategies for children with special needs
- Participate in family meetings both formal (IFSP, IEP) and informal, as needed and as appropriate.
Instructional Quality
- Evaluate program’s practices and instruction to assess for quality and effectiveness, and collaborate with teachers and administrators to improve program outcomes.
- Participate in ongoing professional development opportunities, including workshops and conferences, to bring new and emerging best practices into the program.
- Evaluation, purchase and incorporation of texts, material, resources and technology that will support instructional quality and integrate them into classroom instruction and program practices
- Analyze and interpret curriculum-based data to improve student outcomes and overall program effectiveness.
Observation and Coaching
- Conduct regular observation in all classrooms and provide feedback.
- Engage teachers in individual and group reflective coaching to discuss observations and develop a plan to strengthen challenging areas and build on areas of strength.
- Support peer (teacher-to-teacher) observation and learning between classrooms.
- Participate in Reflective Practice and Supervision.
Professional Development
- Provide or plan for formal and informal professional development for teachers and administrators.
- In collaboration with the Director and Associate Director, coordinate annual teacher training and professional development plan.
- Work with staff to ensure all curriculum objectives are aligned with the program standards including, but not limited to NAEYC and Pyramid Plus.
- Provide staff training on newly adopted programs.
- Collaborate with teachers to develop individual professional development plans.
- Identify a variety of professional development opportunities that align to program and teacher’s goals and needs.
- Develop and facilitate a professional learning community focused on instructional excellence.
Fisher Inclusion Team Coordinator
- Demonstrate knowledge of best practices in early childhood general and special education and integrate those practices in short and long term plans for and goals of the Center.
- Support teachers in integrating Center’s inclusive philosophy through coaching, professional development and training.
- Coordinate all Fisher Inclusion Team (FIT) functions, services for children (with internal and external therapists) and communications between classrooms and families.
- Work as a liaison and partner in curricular and instructional discussions between the FIT and classroom teachers
- Ensure philosophy, curriculum and professional development plans promote the Center’s commitment to best practices in early childhood education, and diversity, equity and inclusion for staff, children and families.
- Work with Director and Associate Director to promote a pedagogical philosophy for the Center with a focus on best practices, diversity, inclusion, collaboration and professionalism.
- Provide support to teachers and admin team to introduce families to the Center’s inclusive philosophy and connect families to the FIT Team to support the education and development of children with special needs or challenging behaviors.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Supportive and active participant of Fisher’s administrative team collaborating on ongoing program development aligned with licensing regulations and national accreditation
- Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships and collaborate with all Fisher staff
- Knowledge and experience implementing best practices in early childhood general and special education
- Knowledge and experience with a variety of curricula and assessment tools and analyzing data
- Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to utilize technology for communication
- Ability to multi-task, maintain confidentiality, think flexibly and to adapt work to the needs of teachers
- Good judgment and highly developed planning and organizational skills, and initiative for working with minimal supervision
- Attention to detail and ability to effectively adapt to or develop efficient processes and systems
- Evidence of ongoing professional learning and reflective practice to continuously improve methods and strategies for adult learning
- Work proficiently in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.) and Adobe for communication, data analysis, gathering and organizing information and presentations.
- Work with several teams at Fisher including administration, teachers, committees, Fisher Inclusion Team and families on a variety of year round projects
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Curriculum and Instruction, or a related field.
- 5 or more years of experience teaching in an inclusive early childhood educational setting in a lead teacher capacity
- Pyramid Plus Training
- At least two years of experience using MyTeachingStrategies
- At least two years of experience working with adult learners
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in a NAEYC accredited program
- CLASS Observer Certification
- Director qualified
- Two or more years of experience in an administrative position
- CPR and First Aid Certification
Work Schedule
Approximately 8 hours/day, Monday – Friday, between the hours of 7:45am-5:15pm. Evening and weekends as required.
Application Deadline
For best consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) April 22, 2023.
Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through www.jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.
Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 9.
Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $58,000-$63,000.
The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.
Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver .
Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age (40 years and over in the employment context), religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, veterans status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the university’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended in 2008; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For the university’s complete Non-Discrimination Statement, please see non-discrimination-statement .
All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.
Advertised: April 03, 2023
Applications close: