Jewish and Hebrew Lead Preschool Teacher

About the role

The Lead Teacher, 12+ Units will report directly to the Director of Early Childhood Education and play a critical role in promoting a safe and welcoming environment to support the learning and individual growth of the preschool community. Lead teachers will create an environment of acceptance where children can grow with a positive self-concept, and where each child and staff member are treated with dignity and respect. Children will be enriched by a developmentally and culturally appropriate emergent curriculum that integrates Jewish values, traditions, and age-appropriate Hebrew language learning, using engaging, modern-language teaching techniques that emphasize functional, everyday Hebrew.

Responsibilities

• Develop inquiry-based curriculum that advances the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth of children.
• Submit a lesson plan before the start of every week.
• Develop curriculum that incorporates a commitment to learning about the Jewish community, values, and traditions.
• Integrate age-appropriate Hebrew language and Judaic learning experiences into daily classroom activities, introducing contemporary Israeli Hebrew vocabulary and concepts through songs, play, and routine.
• Develop curriculum that incorporates organizational philosophies and overall program vision.
• Support other teachers' lesson planning; point person for collaboration around classroom lesson planning, including the integration of Hebrew and Judaic content.
• Provide varied opportunities using multiple learning styles for children's active participation, independent choices, experimentation, and problem solving within the context of a structured setting and program.
• Establish and maintain a well-organized, safe, and healthy environment for children.
• Check materials, equipment, and supplies to see that amounts are adequate and that everything is in good working condition; take preventative measures against hazards to physical safety.
• Complete accurate reports as directed (attendance, accidents/incidents, illness, medications administration, ID checks, etc.).
• Maintain cleanliness of classroom: wash dishes, wipe counters, put things away.
• Support and communicate with families, share observations, and facilitate additional assessments or interventions when necessary.
• Serve as a role model and facilitate collaboration between teachers in the classroom, including learning together and observing colleagues to strengthen Hebrew and Judaic teaching practice.
• Help children find a place of calm and comfort, and attend to any injuries.
• Establish positive communication with parents in daily conversation and formal parent conferences that facilitate the free flow of information about their children.
• Write classroom newsletter.
• Mentor less experienced teachers.
• Participate in team meetings for planning curriculum, other staff meetings and trainings, and other JCC staff meetings.
• Participate in parent orientations, parent conferences, and community-wide activities and celebrations.
• Meet weekly with the Program Director to discuss classroom, student, and/or team needs.
• Lead peer to peer professional development.
• Achieve ongoing professional development through workshops and classes, including ongoing Hebrew language and Judaic education training.
• Assist with early and/or late care, as needed.

Requirements

• 1-2 years of experience in an ECE setting and 24 or more completed ECE units.
• Bachelor's or Associate's Degree highly preferred.
• Knowledge of current research and practices in early childhood education.
• Background and experience in Jewish education and Hebrew education strongly preferred; Hebrew language fluency a plus.
• Proficient in various skill areas such as planning, scheduling, record keeping, classroom environmental design and arrangement, classroom management.
• Competent in various skills areas, such as music, art, science, literacy, mathematics, language development, and physical development.
• Maintain First Aid and CPR certifications.
• Ability to be on your feet and work a full 7.5 hour shift, 5 days per week.
• Ability to sit on the floor and to get up and down with ease.
• Ability to lift and carry a child, and help children with clothing, shoes or other needs.
• Ability to diaper change or help children with toilet needs.
• Quick reflexes to respond to the needs of children.
• Ability to work with teams of teachers in classroom settings.
• Ability to speak with parents about their children.

Qualifications

• Commitment to the mission of the JCC East Bay and knowledge of or commitment to learning about the Jewish community, values, and traditions.

Skills

• Ability to mentor less experienced teachers.
• Ability to participate in team meetings for planning curriculum, other staff meetings and trainings, and other JCC staff meetings.
• Ability to participate in parent orientations, parent conferences, and community-wide activities and celebrations.
• Ability to meet weekly with the Program Director to discuss classroom, student, and/or team needs.
• Ability to lead peer to peer professional development.
• Ability to achieve ongoing professional development through workshops and classes, including ongoing Hebrew language and Judaic education training.
• Ability to assist with early and/or late care, as needed.

Benefits

Excellent benefits including medical, dental, vision, vacation, sick pay, and holidays (including Jewish).

Pay

$55,000 - $65,000

Schedule

Full-time, 5 days per week, 7.5 hours per day.