Preschool Director

The Synagogue | Congregation B'nai Emunah; Tulsa (OK); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A vibrant educational community in Tulsa seeks a Preschool Director to lead its early childhood program. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and several years of relevant experience, focusing on inquiry-based learning and community building. In this role, you will mentor staff and foster strong relationships with families, overseeing a creative, collaborative environment. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape young learners while engaging with a supportive community.

Qualifications

• Several years of experience in early childhood education, including leadership roles.
• Experience supervising and mentoring teachers.
• Familiarity with developmentally appropriate practices.

Responsibilities

• Guide teachers in implementing inquiry-based learning.
• Recruit and mentor preschool faculty and staff.
• Cultivate relationships with families and lead community building efforts.
• Oversee daily operations ensuring a safe environment.

Skills

Early Childhood Education

Leadership

Organizational Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Reggio Emilia Philosophy

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

The Synagogue | Congregation B'nai Emunah

A synagogue is a house of study, a meeting place, and a center for the spirit. Founded in 1916, Congregation B’nai Emunah has served a diverse community of people who approach their Judaism and enact Jewish values in many different ways for more than a century. We are a self-confident religious center committed to constant experimentation. With supportive and stable leadership in place and as part of Tulsa’s interfaith tapestry, we see ourselves as a home for serious social activism, engaging educational experiences, essential cultural connections, and innovative thinking that will shape the next hundred years of Jewish life in Tulsa.

The Preschool at Congregation B’nai Emunah is a Reggio Emilia–inspired environment where children, teachers, and families collaborate in the joyful work of learning. We believe children are capable, curious, and creative, and our classrooms are designed to invite exploration, relationship‑building, and discovery.

As Preschool Director, you will serve as the instructional and operational leader of the school, shaping a warm and intellectually vibrant environment for children from infancy to age 5 while guiding a talented team of educators. You will partner with synagogue leadership and families to ensure that our preschool remains a place where children flourish, teachers grow professionally, and families feel deeply connected to communal life.

Who You Are

You are an educational leader who believes that early childhood education is one of the most powerful forces in shaping families and communities. You bring warmth, curiosity, and thoughtful leadership to your work.

You thrive in a collaborative environment and are excited by the opportunity to lead a Reggio-inspired school where teachers and children learn together through inquiry and creativity.

You understand that a preschool in a synagogue is more than a school—it is often a family’s first and most meaningful entry point into communal life.

The Role

Instructional Leadership & Curriculum

• Serve as the educational leader of the preschool, guiding teachers in the implementation of developmentally appropriate and inquiry-based learning inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy.
• Conduct classroom observations and provide ongoing coaching and feedback to support teacher growth and strong outcomes for children.
• Partner with educators to design learning environments that encourage curiosity, collaboration, and creative expression.
• Ensure curriculum and assessment practices reflect best practices in early childhood education.

Staff Leadership & Professional Development

• Recruit, hire, supervise, mentor, and evaluate preschool faculty and staff.
• Foster a collaborative culture among teachers that values reflection, documentation, and professional learning.
• Support staff through regular meetings, observations, and ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels and classroom ratios are maintained.

Family Engagement & Community Building

• Cultivate strong and trusting relationships with families, recognizing parents and trusted guardians as essential partners in their children’s learning.
• Lead parent communications, family gatherings, and school events that build community and connection.
• Welcome new families into the synagogue ecosystem and help them feel at home in communal life.
• Serve as an ambassador for the preschool within The Synagogue and broader Tulsa community.

Operations & Administration

• Oversee the daily operations of the preschool, ensuring a safe, welcoming, and well-organized environment for children and staff.
• Manage enrollment, budgeting, scheduling, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure the preschool meets all relevant licensing, accreditation, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with synagogue leadership on long‑term planning and growth of the preschool.

Collaboration & Institutional Leadership

• Work closely with the synagogue’s professional staff and clergy to integrate preschool life into the broader rhythm of congregational life.
• Participate in institutional planning and leadership conversations that shape the future of the organization.
• Strengthen the preschool’s reputation as a leading early childhood program in Tulsa.

What Makes You Shine

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• Several years of experience in early childhood education, including leadership or administrative roles.
• Experience supervising and mentoring teachers in an educational setting.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build meaningful relationships with children, families, and colleagues.
• Organizational and operational leadership skills, including budgeting, scheduling, and program management.
• A commitment to developmentally appropriate and inquiry-based early childhood education.
• Familiarity with Reggio Emilia philosophy and a strong interest in working within a Reggio-inspired environment.
• Comfort working within a Jewish communal setting (Jewish background welcome but not required).

This is an opportunity to help shape the next generation of learners and families at The Synagogue | Congregation B’nai Emunah, while contributing to a vibrant and evolving community in Tulsa.

If you are excited about leading a warm, creative, and intellectually curious early childhood program, we would love to hear from you.