The Organization: Acelero, Inc.
Who We Are: Acelero, Inc. is a for-profit, mission-driven company that aims to improve school readiness for low-income children, by both directly operating Head Start programs and offering programmatic support to other Head Start grantees.
Established in 2001, Acelero, Inc. is made up of two divisions - Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning. Acelero Learning provides direct Head Start services to more than 5,000 children and families in four states (delegates) – New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Acelero Learning’s programs have been identified as a national exemplar, a model to the nation for early childhood education, and most significantly, has demonstrated best-in-class child outcomes gains, even during the pandemic.
Shine Early Learning (Shine), established in 2009, was created to scale the dissemination and utilization of Acelero Learning’s proven tools and approaches through partnerships to other Head Start programs nationally. In the past three years, Shine has further diversified its offerings through training, technical assistance, and consultation to publicly funded early childhood systems, including the launch of SPARK Learning Labs.
Our diverse employee workforce is made up of more than 1500 employees, comprising dedicated teachers, passionate family advocates, dynamic Center Directors and Coordinators, visionary senior leaders, and strategic executive leaders. Shine boasts partnerships across a wide expanse of states and territories throughout the country, ranging from Head Start grantees to comprehensive statewide systems. Together, we form a vibrant community committed to making a difference, fostering growth, and nurturing the potential in every child we serve.
The Current Landscape: At the forefront of educational innovation, Acelero Inc. is navigating a pivotal phase of strategic transformation, commenced in June 2021, with a clear vision to expand exponentially and dismantle inequities. Guided by the insights and leadership of a diverse and representative national Design Team, the company has meticulously crafted a new vision, mission, and core values, underpinned by a robust theory of change. This strategic evolution involves a deliberate restructuring of the organizational framework, positioning Acelero Inc. to achieve its objectives, and to surpass them significantly. Central to the company's ethos is an unwavering commitment to recognize and nurture every child's potential, ensuring no child is left behind due to systemic inequalities. Acelero Inc. is steadfast in its mission to empower families, fostering their ability to advocate effectively for their children and themselves. This period of transformative growth and commitment to equity presents a unique opportunity to contribute to Acelero Inc.'s journey towards shaping a more inclusive and empowering educational landscape.
The Purpose of the Role: The Director of Early Learning Services at Acelero, Inc. and Shine Early Learning is responsible for leading high-quality educational programs and fostering strong family and community connections. By ensuring curricular fidelity, implementing evidence-based educational practices, and providing strategic guidance, the Director promotes school readiness and holistic child development. This role involves extensive collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, advocating for equitable leadership and teaching practices, and utilizing data-driven insights to enhance program outcomes. The Director's efforts are crucial in aligning with the organization's mission to eliminate educational gaps and honor the diverse aspirations and cultures of the communities served.
What You’ll Work On
Supports the implementation of curriculum and curriculum fidelity in early learning classrooms.
Leads the development and enhancement of early childhood education curricula, ensuring alignment with best practices and evidence-based approaches to support holistic child development.
Provides strategic guidance and leadership to ensure the implementation of evidence-based educational practices that promote school readiness and collaborates with program leaders to develop and implement curriculum enhancements and educational initiatives.
Designs and implements professional development programs for educators, family advocates, delegates, and community partners to enhance their skills and knowledge.
Ensures ongoing training and support for staff to maintain a high standard of educational and engagement practices.
Establishes and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the effectiveness of education and engagement initiatives and leads continuous improvement efforts, incorporating data-driven insights to enhance program outcomes.
Conducts classroom and programmatic observations to identify areas of need and address them through coaching or professional development.
Assists with the implementation of field tests and the roll-out of new tools or resources; supports partners in enacting Integrated Service Plans (ISP) and Policies/Procedures (PP).
Advocates for policies and practices that support family engagement, health equity, and access to healthcare services, both within the organization and externally.
Collaborates with cross-functional teams, including program operations, to align educational and engagement strategies with organizational goals; communicates effectively with internal and external stakeholders, representing Acelero’s commitment to educational excellence and community involvement.
Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations related to early childhood education programs and customizes and enacts plans for federal monitoring reviews.
Supports the implementation of Integrated Service Plans (ISP) and Policies/Procedures (PP), coordinates SASCIE co-scoring, and supports submission of disability waivers, as required by OHS.
Provides leadership and mentorship to a team of professionals within the ELS department, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
Coordinates and facilitates regular meetings, workshops, and professional development sessions to promote collaboration, reflection, and skill enhancement among ELS leadership.
Collaborates with stakeholders to identify training needs, develop relevant resources, and evaluate the impact of professional development initiatives on children and family outcomes.
Supports new partners and the start-up team in building Head Start services within local communities during the first year of implementation; provides Head Start-specific content and compliance support as partners are building their own staff capacity. Provides Head Start-specific content and compliance support as partners are building their own staff capacity.
Helps new partners in the identification, hiring and training of partner staff, including content leaders, and assist in the development or refinement of organizational structures such as service plans or policies and procedures in content areas.
Collaborates with external organizations, community health providers, social service agencies, and research institutions to share knowledge, gather insights, and advocate for policies that support family engagement and children's health. Building partnerships with peer organizations can facilitate cross-learning and the adoption of innovative practices.
About You (Requirements/competencies)
Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Special Education, Educational Leadership or relevant field; master's degree preferred.
3+ years experience in the field of early learning education, including experience in coaching, supervision, program management and providing technical assistance.
Expertise in starting up HeadStart programs or early learning environments, with direct experience developing and implementing program strategies.
Experience in program evaluation and continuous improvement processes.
Bilingual Preferred (Spanish/English)
Please note that this hiring initiative is part of our strategic preparation for expected new grants. The continuation of the recruitment process is contingent upon the successful finalization of these grants. We commit to keeping final candidates informed of our progress and appreciate your interest in joining Shine Early Learning.
When/Where/How Much
Start Date: Anticipated Summer/Fall 2024
Location/Travel: Remote. Travel required locally or long-distance up to 75% of the time for work-related meetings and functions. Travel requirements might increase depending on start-up needs.
Salary: $82,000 to $92,000
INTERESTED AND READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEPS?
For more insights about our organization and the specific role, we encourage you to delve into our FAQs.
To access the FAQ, please copy and paste the following URL into your browser:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K1MwEql0HtQKeuVsTwmiAtxwjV2A37ej/view?usp=drive_link
Email Talent Acquisition Partner: aisling@shineearly.com
We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and healthy workplace.
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