Early Language Professional Development Specialist

Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is the state's designated public liberal arts university, where students learn the essential skills to compete in a fast-paced and technology-driven global society. The university prepares students for successful careers, leadership in communities, problem solving and life-long learning through personalized attention in a residential setting with opportunities for a variety of transformational experiences through its award-winning, high-impact practices. One of only three selective universities within the University System of Georgia and a top 10 ranked public university in the Southeast, GCSU offers undergraduate degrees in more than 40 majors, 34 graduate programs, doctorates in education and nursing, professional certificates and continuing education programs. 

As a member of the prestigious Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), GCSU is committed to fostering a liberal arts environment that values academic preeminence, interdisciplinary inquiry and an inclusive learning community. GCSU enjoys a strong reputation for academic excellence and nationally ranked programs according to US News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Colleges of Distinction - among other ranking sources.

Georgia College & State University takes great pride in combining the educational experience of a private liberal arts college with the affordability of a public university. Faculty and staff are dedicated to student engagement and experiential learning through high-impact practices such as internships, service- and community-based learning, diversity, study abroad opportunities, mentored undergraduate research and a capstone project that fosters intellectual curiosity, reasoned inquiry and critical thinking.

The university's beautiful and historic campus is located downtown in Milledgeville, Georgia, a charming, diverse college town of approximately 19,000 residents in Central Georgia, and only 90 miles southeast of Atlanta. Milledgeville is also the home of noted American author and alumna, Flannery O'Connor, '45, and the college community enjoys many exciting literary arts programs at O'Connor's former home, Andalusia, now owned by the university. Milledgeville is located on the banks of beautiful Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee, allowing faculty, staff and students to take full advantage of the environmental and recreational benefits of being part of a lake community. For cultural, educational and leisure opportunities beyond Milledgeville - Macon and Atlanta are located within easy driving distances.

Georgia College & State University is committed to protecting academic freedom in addition to supporting the freedom of expression as outlined in the University System of Georgia's Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom policy and its Ethics Code of Conduct . For more information, visit us online at gcsu.edu.

Program Development - 
Plan and develop a comprehensive curriculum of professional development in literacy for teachers, parents, community organizers, and caregivers of children birth through third grade throughout Georgia. 
Develop an annual professional learning calendar that can adjust to both in-person and virtual training.
Develop Early Learning Institutes to build knowledge on early brain, early language and literacy, and social and emotional development birth to preschool teachers, support staff, and center directors.
Plan and develop a Governor's Summit to highlight the Deal Center work and statewide partners' work in literacy.
Coordinate and manage community outreach and literacy grant initiatives. 
Identify and guide literacy consultants to conduct specialized program events.
Identify and prioritize professional development needs for teachers, parents, community organizers, and caregivers of children birth through age eight throughout Georgia.
Prepare and provide reports on program progress and status.
Training - 
Design and deliver high-quality professional learning opportunities on developmentally appropriate language and literacy practices, brain development, and infant/ toddler social-emotional development for early childhood teachers, caregivers, directors, and others.
Knowledgeable in a variety of training models and best practices in adult learning.
Develop content in the areas of language and literacy development and evidence-based strategies for teachers, support staff, and educational leaders of children birth through third grade.  
Lead in-person and virtual meeting, training, and workshops and provide instructional leadership and modeling.
Continually reviews/evaluates content to ensure that it is meeting the intended objectives, and makes improvements and revisions, as needed. 
Develop a systematic statewide approach to curriculum and instructional planning, development, implementation, and immediate informal feedback.
Create and maintain training guides, early literacy toolkits, and content curation of resources.
Collaboration - 
Collaborate and coordinate with technical assistance and professional development for providers offering support to childcare centers, family day care homes, preschool classrooms, and community organizers to increase effectiveness and align systems of support.
Build strong collaboration with the Department of Early Care and Learning, Technical College System of Georgia, and other providers of professional development for caregivers and teachers of children birth to Preschool.
In collaboration with public libraries, the Department of Public Health, pediatricians and community health centers, home visiting programs, and community organizations explore ways to provide language and literacy enrichment for children birth through age eight who are not in formal childcare settings.
In-depth Content Knowledge - 
Early brain development and intervention strategies.
Early language developmental stages and evidence-based practices to support growth.
Early language and phonological continuum of development.
Social-Emotional Development and practices related to high-quality adult-child interactions.
Knowledge of early literacy foundations.
Knowledge of the evidence-based approach to early literacy.

Educational Requirements
Masters degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a closely related field and at least 3- 5 years of direct experience working in early childhood settings with children birth through age eight. Experience supporting adult learning, coaching, and facilitation.

Preferred Educational Qualifications
Ed.S. or Doctorate in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a closely related field.
Preferred Experience
Experience in teaching and coaching adult learners.
Experience in curriculum design/content development and instructional design.
Experience/knowledge of e-learning/on-line learning pedagogy and tools.
Strong background in early literacy content and pedagogy with specific emphasis on knowledge and 
implementation of construction of the reading brain.
Experience in leading teams in literacy approaches, programs, or interventions.

KNOWLEDGE
Best practices in professional development for adult learners.
Knowledge of best practices in teaching adult learners.
Deep knowledge of early language and literacy models and strategies.
Knowledge of coaching as a tool for improving practice and student achievement.
Knowledge of Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards (GELDS).
SKILLS
Program planning
Program development
Communication and collaboration
Event planning
Teaching adult learners
Curriculum development
Collaboration
Communication

Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is committed to the fundamental principle of equal opportunity and equal treatment for every prospective and current employee. No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, be excluded from employment or participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination, under any program or activity conducted by GCSU.

Georgia College & State University is a national award-winning institution in areas of student success and achievement. It strives to achieve excellence in the composition of its community, educational programs, university policies, research and scholarship, campus life, employment practices, extracurricular activities, and community outreach. It is a priority of the university to be a welcoming and inclusive environment so that its campus culture will enhance the ability of its community members to succeed in their endeavors, to be respected as individuals, and to feel a sense of belonging. Please visit Equal Employment Opportunity for more information.

This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
This position will be required to drive.
This role is not considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position does not require security clearance.

• Criminal Background Check
• Drug Screening
• Education Verification
• Motor Vehicle Check