Assistant Teacher

The Baltimore Jewish Community Center (JCC), founded in 1854, is an organization of vitality and diversity, committed to enhancing the general welfare of the total community. Inspired by Jewish values, the JCC focuses on creating meaningful experiences and opportunities to enrich, connect, and positively impact our community. We pride ourselves on our inclusive and welcoming workplace, celebrating the diversity of our employees and fostering a supportive environment where everyone is treated with appreciation and respect.

About the Role

The Stoler Early Learning Center, located at the JCC of Greater Baltimore’s Rosenbloom Owings Mills Campus, serves 200 children from ages 6 weeks through kindergarten. Our program is designed to enhance each child’s development through exploration, play, and a constructivist-inspired philosophy. We are seeking energetic, enthusiastic, and dedicated educators committed to furthering their education and joining students on their journey of social, emotional, and educational growth. The ideal candidate will enjoy working with children to nourish their innate sense of wonder, encourage imagination, build self-esteem, and create hands-on, engaging educational experiences.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required; 90-hour Certification, CDA, Associate’s, or Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, education, child development, or a related field preferred.
• Working knowledge of the growth and development of young children and ability to apply this in the classroom.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills (oral, reading, writing).
• Creative problem solver with a “can-do” attitude.
• Experience in early childhood or elementary education, preferably in a constructivist, child-centered setting.
• Ability to be flexible, multi-task, and prioritize workload.
• Ability to act independently in the classroom and collaborate with teams, including classroom staff, age-level teams, leadership, and specialists.
• Ability to meet Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) requirements for employment in a preschool setting, including mandated coursework and ongoing continuing education.
• Comfort exploring both indoors and outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
• Basic Judaic knowledge (holidays, culture, traditions, values) and ability to integrate it into lessons or willingness to learn.

Responsibilities

Pedagogy

• Provide a safe environment for all children through active supervision, maintaining required ratios, and keeping children in sight and sound at all times.
• Engage in reflection and discussion about children’s growth and learning, responding to themes in their play and development.
• Support the Lead Teacher in documenting children’s play and learning (daily reflections, journey binders, blogs, weekly newsletters, etc.).
• Adjust experiences to meet individual children’s needs and differences.
• Use joint attention and observation of children’s play to guide facilitation.
• Create opportunities for social interaction, physical activity, creative expression, and Jewish experiences indoors and outdoors.
• Encourage student responsibility for their own learning and ask high-level thinking questions to enhance reasoning skills.
• Work with the teaching team on classroom management, including daily flow, group dynamics, and conflict resolution.
• Use positive guidance and modeling to help children develop effective communication skills.
• Nurture physical, spiritual, emotional, social, cognitive, and literacy growth and development.
• Cover required state content areas/domains: social-emotional competencies, language and literacy, mathematics, sciences, social studies, physical well-being, Jewish studies, fine and gross motor development, and fine arts.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and aesthetically engaging classroom environment.
• Remain physically and mentally present and focused on the children throughout your shift.

Administrative & Classroom

• Create a warm, welcoming, and nurturing environment that fosters positive self-concept.
• Greet families and children enthusiastically upon arrival and communicate briefly at pickup; follow up with notes or calls as needed.
• Maintain children’s files, including work samples, anecdotal notes, and other documentation.
• Support the Lead Teacher in completing reports (attendance, sign-in/out, name-to-face recognition, accidents/incidents, meal tracking, diaper records, etc.).
• Conduct at least one family conference per year and complete conference forms.
• Establish and maintain a well-organized, clean, and safe environment; check materials and equipment for adequacy and repair.
• Take preventative measures against physical hazards and maintain classroom equipment.
• Stay knowledgeable of MSDE and Office of Childcare’s COMAR rules and regulations governing childcare facilities.

Communication & Community

• Develop professional, courteous relationships with families and colleagues.
• Create a positive, warm, individualized, and nurturing environment that encourages inquiry and independence.
• Treat children, coworkers, and families with dignity, respect, and compassion.
• Promote equitable, fair, and consistent treatment of all community members.
• Provide tender, responsive, quality care addressing children’s needs.
• Uphold the Derech Eretz (Code of Ethical Conduct) of the Stoler Early Learning Center.
• Share observations with the Lead Teacher regarding children’s interests, strengths, successes, and challenges.
• Provide input and feedback to help create engaging and developmentally appropriate school-wide events.

Professional Development

• Participate in lifelong learning through workshops, courses, reading, and professional development days.
• Demonstrate strong communication skills (clear speaking, effective written communication, active listening, and confident responses).
• Foster positive, professional working relationships with coworkers and leadership; collaborate to create a Chavruta (learning community).
• Engage in self-evaluation and school evaluation processes; reflect on professional growth.
• Work agreed-upon days and hours, arrive prepared and punctual, manage time efficiently, and request time off in advance per policies.
• Comply with deadlines and abide by school policies, MSDE licensing requirements, and the Stoler Early Learning Center’s vision and JCC’s mission.
• Maintain a high level of professionalism and discretion to protect children’s and families’ privacy (NAEYC Code of Ethics).
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the director based on school and agency needs.
• Complete MSDE’s annual professional development requirements (12 credits for lead teachers, 6 for assistants; doubled for credentialed staff).
• Maintain First Aid, CPR, MSDE Basic Health and Safety, and MSDE COVID certifications.
• Stay current on research and best practices in early childhood education.

Physical Skills and Work Environment

• Regularly use fingers and hands to grasp, hold, type, or touch (e.g., iPad/computer, Parent Portal, phone, classroom materials).
• Perform repetitive arm and hand movements.
• Demonstrate ability to focus and complete tasks.
• Occasionally lift, push, or pull objects or children up to 50 pounds.
• Sit or stand for long periods; safely transition from sitting on the floor to standing and back.
• Walk extended distances (e.g., escorting students to various locations).
• Maintain balance on uneven surfaces while exploring campus or outdoors (fields, playgrounds, trails) in varying temperatures and weather conditions.