Pre-K Educator

About the school

Temple Shalom Nursery School (TSNS) is a warm and vibrant early childhood community serving children ages 18 months through five years. Nestled within Temple Shalom of Newton, our school is guided by fundamental Jewish values — community, kindness, respect, the pursuit of knowledge, and justice — and holds the distinction of being the first school in Massachusetts certified as a Nature Explore Program. We believe that each child is born with infinite potential and is an active, capable learner. Our practice is rooted in the conviction that education is fundamentally a process of building thinking relationships — with people, with ideas, with materials, and with oneself. We center children’s rights, honor their curiosity, and nurture their sense of wonder every single day.

Position Overview

We are seeking a passionate, experienced Pre-K Lead Educator to join our dedicated teaching team. In this role, you will be the primary educator for a mixed-age preschool cohort of 12–14 children, supported by a co-teacher and guided by our Director and Assistant Director. You will be instrumental in creating a classroom environment that is intellectually rich, emotionally safe, and deeply joyful.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement a culturally age-appropriate, inquiry-based curriculum rooted in children's interests and TSNS's educational philosophy.
• Observe, document, and thoughtfully assess each child's growth through portfolios, notes, and photos.
• Build warm, trusting, and respectful relationships with children, families, and colleagues.
• Integrate Jewish values, holidays, and traditions meaningfully into classroom life.
• Lead outdoor classroom experiences as part of our Nature Explore-certified program.
• Collaborate closely with your co-teacher and participate actively in team planning, professional development, and school-wide community events.
• Communicate proactively and warmly with families, partnering with them as essential contributors to their child's learning journey.
• Partner with specialists and therapists to support the needs of all learners, including those receiving additional services.

Qualifications

• Required:
• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a closely related field.
• Classroom experience with preschool-age children.
• Deep knowledge of child development and play-based, inquiry-driven pedagogy.
• Strong observational and documentation skills.
• Warm, patient, and reflective teaching practice.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with both families and colleagues.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and anti-bias education.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Preferred: Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
• Experience with nature-based or outdoor education.
• Background in the Reggio Emilia or similar child-centered educational philosophies.
• Experience with children with diverse learning needs.

Schedule & Compensation

• Hours: 8:00 - 3:30 (with possibility of extended hours)
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Supportive professional development opportunities and a collaborative team culture.
• Membership in a warm and welcoming synagogue community.

How to Apply

We would love to hear from you! Please send a cover letter, your current resume, and the names of three professional references to Stephanie Derkautsan at sderkautsan@templeshalom.org. Temple Shalom Nursery School is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all members of our school community. templeshalom.org/nurseryschool