BCBA Classroom Educator Partner (Center for Teaching and Learning)

Description

Ellis Early Learning, “Ellis,” (formerly known as Ellis Memorial) is a vibrant, Boston-based nonprofit with a rich history founded in 1885. Ellis provides high-quality early education and care for infants, toddlers, and preschool children. Ellis is among the most socio-economically, racially, and culturally diverse organizations serving children in Boston and is accredited by the NAEYC. Through a partnership with Boston Public Schools, it also operates four Boston Pre-K classrooms. Ellis operates two centers in the South End and a third center in Jamaica Plain and serves over 300 children annually.

As a result of a transformational gift, Ellis has recently established a Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) to elevate teaching quality and child outcomes. The CTL is comprised Classroom Educator Partners (CEPs) and all-school teachers to strengthen educator support, and help educators thrive in their challenging roles. By investing in on-the-job learning and professional development, we are cultivating excellent, culturally humble educators and preparing Ellis to become a training ground for the field. This initiative will have a lasting, generational impact on the children we serve.

ELLIS VISION: Every child thrives, and every educator flourishes in an inclusive and equitable learning environment.

ELLIS MISSION: Ellis partners with families to provide high-quality early childhood education in a warm, nurturing environment. A recognized leader in our field, we support children across the socio-economic spectrum, treasure diversity in all forms, and celebrate the joy of childhood.

Learn more at www.ellisearlylearning.org.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Ellis is seeking a Classroom Educator Partner (CEP) to join our team to advance educator development, support instructional quality, and foster best-in-class learning environments. The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) has five Classroom Educator Partners, in addition to Ellis’s existing family support team of three social workers.

The CEP will work alongside educators to implement effective teaching strategies and strengthen classroom practices that support children's social, emotional, and behavioral development, all with cultural humility. Spending significant time each week within assigned classrooms, the CEP will collaborate closely with 12 to 14 educators across four-five classrooms, providing embedded coaching, modeling, and real-time support. This position will have a particular focus on helping educators understand and respond to challenging behaviors using evidence-based, developmentally appropriate strategies that foster inclusion, strengthen teacher confidence, and promote positive outcomes for children. With no direct supervisory responsibilities, the CEP will build long-term, trust-based partnerships with educators to support their professional growth and classroom success.

The ideal candidate will care deeply about the early education field, educational equity, and racial and social justice. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Instructional/Curriculum Coaching

· Partner with educators to implement high-quality, equitable, and innovative teaching methods aligned with Ellis's mission and priorities, emphasizing cultural humility.

· Spend approximately 80% of time in classrooms providing on-site coaching, modeling instructional strategies, and offering real-time feedback to teachers.

· Role model effective teaching practices by demonstrating curriculum-aligned activities, and co-teaching when appropriate.

· Support inclusive, equitable, and developmentally appropriate practices.

Teacher Collaboration

· Conduct regular one-on-one and small group sessions with educators to engage in reflective practice, discuss classroom strategies, curriculum planning, address challenges, and identify growth opportunities.

· Build trusting relationships with teachers, acting as an ally in their professional journey and fostering an environment of open communication and shared goals.

· Collaborate as part of a multidisciplinary team with other professionals (educators, childhood mental health consultants/providers, social workers, etc.) to ensure comprehensive support for teachers.

· Work with educators to create individualized development plans aligned with their specific classroom contexts and professional goals.

Classroom Environment Support

· Help educators create classroom environments that promote child well-being, foster social-emotional learning, and encourage positive behavior.

· Coach educators in implementing proactive, evidence-based approaches to understanding and responding to challenging behaviors while fostering children's social-emotional development, self-regulation, and positive relationships.

Professional Development

· Engage in continuous professional development to deepen expertise in teaching, classroom management, and early relational health.

· Participate in weekly group sessions with other CEPs and CTL colleagues to reflect on and share best practices, collaborate on challenges, and codify and document learning.

· Receive specialized training in teaching methods and early childhood mental and behavioral health strategies to enhance skills and build a shared language among CEPs and educators.

Behavior Support and Teacher Coaching

• Partner with educators to develop proactive, individualized strategies that support children with behavioral, social, and emotional needs within inclusive classroom settings.

• Observe classroom interactions and identify environmental, instructional, and behavioral factors that influence children's success.

• Coach educators in implementing evidence-based behavior support strategies that promote self-regulation, positive relationships, and engagement.

• Model effective approaches for preventing and responding to challenging behaviors while preserving children's dignity and strengthening educator confidence.

• Collaborate with families, social workers, early childhood mental health consultants, and other specialists to ensure consistent, child-centered support.

• Help teachers understand behavior as communication and build their capacity to respond with curiosity, consistency, and compassion.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis, Special Education, Psychology, Early Childhood Education, or a closely related field.

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification required, or active eligibility to obtain certification within six months of hire.

• Minimum of five years of experience working with young children, preferably birth through age five, in early childhood education or early intervention settings.

• Demonstrated expertise in applying behavior analytic principles within developmentally appropriate, inclusive early childhood environments.

• Experience coaching educators and building teacher capacity through modeling, observation, reflective practice, and collaborative problem solving.

• Strong understanding of child development, early childhood mental health, and trauma-informed practices.

• Ability to conduct functional behavior observations and partner with educators to develop practical, classroom-based behavior support strategies.

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build trusting relationships across diverse teams.

• Deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practice.

• Highly organized, collaborative, self-motivated, and comfortable working in a dynamic environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in NAEYC accredited early childhood programs.

• Training or professional experience with the New England Center for Children (NECC) highly preferred.

• Experience supporting multilingual learners and culturally diverse communities.

• Experience working collaboratively with mental health consultants, therapists, and family support professionals.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support the health, financial well-being, and work-life balance of our benefit eligible employees. Benefits include:

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation and sick time, with vacation accrual prorated based on date of hire and increasing annually, up to maximum accrual at your second anniversary. Employees also receive a paid birthday holiday. 
• Health & Wellness: Medical insurance, along with dental and vision coverage options. In addition, employees benefit from a      generous Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) to help offset eligible healthcare expenses. 
• Financial Benefits: 401(k) retirement plan with employer match to support long-term financial planning. Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options are also available for healthcare and dependent care expenses. 
• Employer-Paid Benefits: Company-paid life insurance and long-term disability (LTD) coverage for added financial security. 
• Employee Support: Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), offering confidential resources for personal, family, and work-life support. 
• Childcare Benefit: Discounted childcare is available for employees with children enrolled in the program