Preschool Lead Teacher

JCC Association of North America; Ardmore (PA); On-site; USD 37,440 - 45,760; Full time

Job summary

The JCC Association of North America is seeking a Preschool Lead Teacher to develop and implement an educational program tailored to preschool children. The role emphasizes nurturing environments and parental engagement. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in early childhood education and at least 2 years of relevant experience.

The position requires strong communication skills and a passion for fostering a positive learning atmosphere. Competitive salary of $41,600 annually is offered, along with a commitment to professional growth.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years' experience working with preschool-age children.
• Experience with emergent curriculum.
• Emotionally responsive in work with children.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement an educational program for preschool children.
• Interact with children to support their social and emotional needs.
• Engage with families to ensure connectivity and trust.
• Utilize Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards for planning curriculum.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Developmentally appropriate practice

Education

Bachelor's degree in early childhood education

Current Early Childhood / Elementary Teaching Certificate

Job description

Location and Job Title:

Preschool Lead Teacher
Kaiserman JCC
45 Haverford Rd
Wynnewood, PA 19096

Principal Responsibilities:

The Preschool Lead Teacher, under the supervision of the Preschool Directors, is responsible for creating and implementing a developmentally sound educational program for an assigned class of preschool / Kindergarten school children. The program must meet the social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language needs of both the individual child and the group.

Minimum Qualifications:

Relationships with Children

• Interact with children at eye level
• Use an appropriate voice when speaking with children
• Listen respectfully to ideas, thoughts, and feelings the children share
• Encourage children to be age-appropriately independent and develop their self-help skills
• Model appropriate conflict resolution techniques for children
• Validate the children's feelings
• Ask open-ended questions
• Be attentive to the unique needs of each child
• Be nurturing and help the children feel supported and secure
• Respect diversity in cultural and family backgrounds
• Actively engage in the children's play in the classroom, gym, and outdoor areas
• Treat every child equally with warmth, love, dignity, and respect
• Support children to participate in daily cleanup and maintenance of the classroom
• Provide children opportunities in decision making and issues concerning classroom behavior, plans, and activities

Relationships with Families

• Be available to parents and easily approachable
• Be sensitive when delivering information to families
• Gain the confidence, trust, and respect of the parents
• Prepare regular informative newsletters that make the learning in the classroom visible and valued
• Value the importance of families feeling a part of our community and encourage parent involvement in the classroom, school, and community
• Plan and conduct meaningful parent-teacher conferences
• Articulate and educate families on information related to their child's development
• Articulate and educate families on Jewish values, holidays, and traditions
• Discuss concerns about children with Directors prior to any discussion with parents
• Respect confidential information

Relationships with Colleagues

• Come to work with a positive attitude
• Be respectful of co-workers
• View self as a member of a team and work cooperatively with co-workers
• Prepare annual written evaluation of Assistant Teachers working with you
• Offer and share ideas and information with colleagues
• Approach constructive feedback with a learning attitude

Curriculum

• Use the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards and The Creative Curriculum as a foundation for planning while looking through a Jewish lens
• Encourage imaginative use of materials and space and inspire children to extend their thinking
• Engage thoughtful curriculum planning and be flexible when modifications need to be made
• Plan and implement experiences that promote the development of the whole child: cognitive, social‑emotional, physical, and spiritual
• Implement effective classroom management techniques
• Value the importance of process with less significance placed on product
• Develop emergent curriculum around the children's interests
• Document, analyze and plan based on classroom observations
• View the gym and outdoor areas as an extension of the classroom: This will be evident in the planning, set up and documentation of the children’s learning
• Offer varied experiences to respond to children's individual learning styles and developmental stages
• Encourage children to solve problems and explore
• Provide a consistent routine and appropriate balance between activities
• Plan predictable transitions and limit waiting time between activities
• Demonstrate preparation and organization of activities and materials in advance
• Seek out the children's ideas and discern how they understand by observing, talking, and listening
• Display children's work in an attractive manner that allows children to revisit it and parents and colleagues to gain a deeper understanding of the work

Environment

• Design the room so that it is evident the children and families are entering a Jewish space
• Create and maintain a safe and inviting learning environment and follow agency security protocols
• Change materials to reflect the interest of the children to promote inquiry and discovery
• Provide thought provoking materials that will stimulate the curiosity and senses of the children
• Intentionally utilize space outdoors to expand on the children’s learning that is happening in the classroom
• Ensure the classroom furnishings and materials are reflective of the children’s changing needs throughout the year
• Utilize the environment to display documentation of the children’s experiences and work

General Professionalism

• Support the agency mission of building community and enriching lives
• Be accountable for your own responsibilities
• Maintain a high standard of professional ethics and confidentiality regarding children, families & staff
• Comply with licensing standards and guidelines
• Be reliable in attendance and arrive on time
• Adhere to JCC work rules as stated in the employee handbook
• Supervise and evaluate assistant teachers, student teachers, substitutes and volunteers who work in the classroom
• Maintain classroom furniture and supplies, conserving utilities, and general consideration of classroom, bathroom, and other center areas
• Maintain daily attendance records
• Oversee all mealtime/snack time activities
• Perform routine and emergency housekeeping to maintain an orderly, safe, and healthy environment
• Be in line with the children whenever the class walks to an activity. One staff member in front and one in back always
• Remember that you are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of each child in your class. Staff must be spread around, remain aware, and always supervise the children.
• Participate with children in small groups or on a 1:1 basis, both indoors and out
• Maintain the highest standards of confidentiality for all matters and persons related to the Kaiserman JCC and particularly the Preschool Program. Do not discuss personnel matters with parents.
• Follow policies, and professional codes of ethics
• Be receptive to professional help and constructive criticism
• Participate in professional development activities
• Be flexible and respond well to changes in program
• Demonstrate a positive attitude, be courteous and cooperative with co-workers, help and be flexible to meet the needs of the JCC
• Refrain from engaging in negative conversations
• Maintain a healthy collaborative relationship with classroom co‑teachers, communicate regarding observations, conflicts, and planning
• Dress appropriately for your job
• Respond to and communicate with the Director and Assistant Director in a prompt, consistent, and professional manner
• Comply with all Kaiserman Jewish Community Center and Preschool / Kindergarten policies
• Be aware of health, safety, and sanitation standards, medicine procedures, accident reporting, other licensing regulations
• Attend Preschool Orientation and set‑up week prior to the start of school
• Maintain adherence to all agency policies and procedures, including agency safety requirements
• Perform additional program duties as assigned by the Director according to agency needs
• Come to school every day prepared and eager to teach the students
• Support the Director and Assistant Director in promoting positive parent‑staff relationships including such things as participating in and initiating school events (social, educational, fundraising)

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child development, or related field.
• Current Early Childhood / Elementary Teaching Certificate
• Experience in and/or knowledge of emergent curriculum and developmentally appropriate practice
• Must be emotionally responsive in their work with children and wish to be part of a larger community that enriches children's lives by co‑constructing meaningful learning experiences
• Must have effective and strong communication skills (orally and written)
• At least 2 years' experience working with preschool age children

Salary:

$41600