Head Teacher

Educational Alliance; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A vibrant Jewish community center in Downtown Manhattan seeks a Head Teacher to lead a progressive educational vision. The role involves creating nurturing learning environments, developing curricula based on children's interests, and fostering strong relationships with families. Candidates should possess a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education and have a passion for inquiry-based learning.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Generous PTO Policy

Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance

Pension Plan

403(b) Retirement Plan

Discount Perks for Movies, Broadway Shows, and Amusement Parks

Free Gym Membership

Discounts to programs at Educational Alliance

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of professional teaching experience in an early childhood setting preferred.
• Excellent written communication skills for crafting narratives and assessments.
• Strong oral communication with children, families, and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Planning and creating a classroom environment focused on inquiry and exploration.
• Co-constructing curriculum based on children's interests and development.
• Documenting children's learning and maintaining a portfolio for each child.

Skills

Communication

Adaptability

Coaching

Education

MA in Early Childhood/Elementary Education

New York State N-6 or PreK-6 certification

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Zoom

Outlook

Job description

Job Title: Head Teacher

Classification: Full-Time, L215, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm, 37.5 Hours

The 14th Street Y is a vibrant Jewish community center located in Downtown Manhattan. Each year, tens of thousands of New Yorkers of all ages, races, and ethnicities come to 14Y as members, visitors, or partners to experience our high quality and varied programs centered around arts and culture, early childhood education, summer camps, fitness and aquatics, Jewish life, and older adult services.

Job Purpose

Working within inspired and dynamic teams, our teachers are helping to build a vision for progressive education in the East Village. Inspired by the preschools of Reggio Emilia, we believe that all children learn through inquiry, exploration, and play in the context of strong relationships and a sense of belonging.

Our teachers create responsive, safe, joyful, and nurturing learning environments for children that foster inquiry, exploration, learning & reflection; collaborate with co-teachers to plan an emergent curriculum based on observations of children’s interests and development; document children’s learning through photographs, written learning narratives, anecdotes, panels, and mini-stories; facilitate communication and collaboration between the family and the preschool.

Scope Of Influence

• Lead teaching team in documentation, reflection, and planning process to devise emergent curriculum informed by children’s interests, questions, theories, and prior knowledge.
• Facilitate virtual learning and individualized outreach to families during periods of school closure.
• Work with a diverse community.
• Build relationships with families and communicate about children’s learning and development in person and through documentation.
• Partner with the teaching staff and administration in the overall philosophy and direction of the preschool.
  
  

Responsibilities

• Planning, Preparation + Curriculum Development
• Co-constructing curriculum based on children’s interests, questions, and development
• Documenting, reflecting, and planning from observations
• Participating in weekly planning meetings with the teaching team
• Meeting the needs of all children
  
  

Classroom Environment

• Planning and creating a classroom environment with inquiry, exploration, learning, and respect in mind
• Nurturing children’s home languages through curated books, materials, and the physical environment
• Creating a warm and inclusive environment where children and families feel welcome
• Organizing physical space and selection of materials in a way that is inviting and accessible to children
• Creating visual evidence of the narratives and curriculum occurring in your classroom
• Adhering to DOH regulation per Article 47
  
  

Relationships with Teaching Team

• Develop schedules and processes to ensure that work is complete in a timely fashion by teaching team.
• Lead regular documentation, reflection, and planning meetings with teaching team.
• Provide feedback, coaching, and support to Assistant Teachers as necessary.
  
  

Interactions with Children

• Speaking and listening to children with respect and mindfulness
• Supervising the whole group, while giving individual attention
• Managing classroom procedures including transitions, routines, and small groups
• Engage students in exploration and ongoing project work
• Scaffolding children through conflict and problem solving
  
  

Relationships with Families

• Building respectful and reciprocal relationships with families
• Communicating consistently with families
  
  

Professional Responsibilities

• Documenting children’s learning, development, and progress through mini-stories, written narratives, reflections, and observations. Maintain a documentation portfolio for each child and complete assessment checkpoints throughout the year.
• Maintaining collaborative and professional relationships with colleagues
• Mentoring Assistant teachers
• Participating in professional development meetings
• Showing professionalism including integrity, ethical conduct, and decision making
• The candidate will be reflective, ask questions, be willing to take risks and make mistakes
• Arrive and depart according to daily schedule unless otherwise approved by the Director
  
  

Requirements

• MA in Early Childhood/ Elementary Education | New York State N-6 or PreK-6 certification or study plan
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to craft narrative observations and assessments, mini-stories, and written reflections, and communicate with families and colleagues regularly via email
• Ability to use Outlook, Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, and other online learning platforms as required
• Minimum 3 years of professional teaching experience in an early childhood setting preferred
• Strong oral communication with children, families, and colleagues
  
  

Desired Skills And Experience

• Building Trust
• Communication
• Energy
• Adaptability
• Stress Tolerance
• Coaching
  
  

Benefits

• Competitive Salary
• Generous PTO Policy
• Competitive Salary
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
• Pension Plan
• 403(b) Retirement Plan
• Discount Perks for Movies, Broadway Shows, and Amusement Parks, etc.
• Free Gym Membership to our Manny Cantor Center & 14 TH ST Y Fitness Center
• Discounts to programs at Educational Alliance
  
  

Limitations and Disclaimer

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position.

EEO

Educational Alliance is committed to workplace diversity and inclusion. We are equal opportunity employers and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Educational Alliance takes affirmative action in support of its policy to employ and advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

Educational Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For further information about Educational Alliance, please visit https://edalliance.org .