Assistant Two's Teacher

The Jennifer Barnum Early Childhood Education Center is a program of Congregation Beth Israel, a Reform Jewish congregation founded in 1858 and the leading voice of Reform Judaism in Oregon.

About Our School

The Jennifer Barnum Luria Early Childhood Center, known as The Jennie, is a high-caliber Reform Jewish early childhood program on the CBI Campus. This full-day program serves children aged six weeks through pre-kindergarten.

About the Role

We are hiring two Assistant Two’s Teachers for our classrooms serving children aged 24 months to 3 years, starting in September 2026. Each classroom will have up to 10 children with a 5:1 child-to-teacher ratio. Classrooms are brand new, equipped with modern materials, and supported by an organization dedicated to creating a high-quality program.

You will attend to children’s daily needs, including engaging their developing brains, facilitating daily art projects, outdoor gross motor play, circle time, story time, and music time. You will also support toilet learning, using the in-classroom bathroom to guide children through the process.

The ideal candidate will multitask effectively, anticipate needs, and create a classroom environment focused on secure attachments and positive relationships. You will record child activities and communicate with parents about their child’s day through our app.

Responsibilities

• Prepare snack and assist children with lunches from home
• Support toilet learning, change diapers, and assist with clothing as needed
• Assist the Lead Teacher in developing developmentally appropriate activities, curriculum, and art projects
• Help children fall asleep and attend to developmental needs such as music, storytelling, and exploration of classroom materials
• Take children outdoors for walks and playground time
• Record toileting, feeding, and naps for parents to review
• Assist with drop-off and pick-up, and serve as a backup contact for parents when the Lead Teacher is unavailable
• Document special moments for newsletters and parent communications
• Track developmental milestones to create a developmental profile
• Support the Lead Teacher and collaborate as a team
• Perform basic cleaning tasks, such as sterilizing dishes and toys (a cleaning crew handles deeper cleaning)

Mission

At The Jennie, our mission is to provide the highest quality care to children ages six weeks to five years and their families. We are built on a foundation of inclusion, intentionally creating a diverse Kehillah (Hebrew for community) that celebrates all children and families. The Jennie offers an enriching environment interwoven with Jewish values, promoting a nurturing space for children to develop and a supportive work community for staff.

We value creativity, togetherness, and kindness toward peers and the environment. Children are encouraged to explore their curiosities, and teachers act as guides in their developmental journey. We believe a child’s success is rooted in the success of their caregivers, inviting families to participate through classroom volunteering, parent education nights, and community events.

Philosophy

The Jennie follows a child-led, play-based philosophy, using observation and reflection to shape curriculum that serves children as individuals and as a group. Teachers foster secure attachments through responsive caregiving, recognizing that optimal learning occurs when children feel safe and secure. Foundational academic and life skills are built through play and interaction with the environment.

Art and creativity are daily practices, with children exploring both self-created and external works. We integrate best practices from developmental and educational philosophies, including Montessori, RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers), Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia. Judaism’s commitment to education and fostering a child’s natural desire to learn is central to our approach. The Jennie empowers children to ask questions, explore curiosities, and advocate for their learning, fostering a lifelong love of learning through respect, art, kindness, and Kehillah (community).

Requirements

• CPR/First Aid certified (training provided if needed)
• Food Handlers card (available online)
• One of the following:
  • Completion of 20 semester credits in early childhood education or a related field
  • A one-year state-recognized credential (e.g., CDA) working with children 0–2 years old
  • Attainment of at least an 8 in the Oregon Registry
  • At least 1 year of documented experience in a certified childcare center working with infants and toddlers
  • 6 months of experience in a certified childcare center working with infants and toddlers and completion of 10 semester credits in early childhood or a related field
• Ability to embrace and celebrate families and children from diverse backgrounds

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with Judaism and Jewish traditions
• Experience with toddler environments and toilet learning
• Working knowledge of toddler developmental milestones and needs

Additional Expectations

• Enthusiasm for teamwork and collaboration with other teachers to create a quality program
• Respectful, reliable, and professional demeanor with parents and children
• Punctuality and consistent attendance
• Adherence to codes of conduct that promote children’s wellbeing and community
• Physical ability to:
  • Stand for long periods
  • Kneel, squat, and carry children
  • Bend over and move up and down from the floor regularly
  • Lift up to 30 pounds

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Paid time off in addition to closures for all major federal holidays, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and one-week breaks each for winter and summer
• Competitive salaries
• Paid professional development opportunities, including teacher planning days and external courses
• An inclusive environment committed to equity, welcoming people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people of all faiths and religious backgrounds, and people of all abilities