Temple Beth Zion-Beth Israel, located in Center City, is seeking qualified candidates for Lead Teachers in our Early Childhood Education Program.
We use a Reggio based philosophy of learning that values the capability and curiosity of children. Infused with Jewish values, we strive to create a warm environment that allows children to experience the world in ways that relate them, while nurturing independence and good citizenship.
LEAD TEACHER
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Lead Teacher inspires and mentors the team to promote the healthy social, emotional, intellectual and physical development of each child by providing an enriched and developmentally appropriate early childhood experience guided by Jewish values and culture with an understanding that collaboration among children, teachers, and families is a key element of our program.
The Lead Teacher reports to the Director of Early Childhood Programs.
Educational Responsibilities:
- Embrace the role of the teacher as a learner, along-side the children, to co-construct the learning experience and explore together
- Provide leadership to ensure that the teaching team adheres to the program philosophy, licensing guidelines, policies and procedures, and complete required tasks
- Collaborate with colleagues to ensure that the curriculum is based on the observations and interests of the children, including individual and collective educational goals through:
- Implementation of intentional and provocative classroom experiences and ongoing projects/investigations
- Engaging children in facilitated learning groups
- Using documentation and conversation to reflect, revisit, and re-evaluate how children learn and experience their world through engagement with one and other, materials, projects, and events.
- Collaborate with colleagues and Jewish educators to infuse Jewish culture, values, and experiences into the daily life of the children with specific attention to holidays, havdalah, and Shabbat
- Model behavior and language that respects and values individual differences of children, families, and colleagues
- Share responsibility in maintaining a safe and clean classroom and indoor play space that inspires meaningful learning
- Share responsibility in maintaining materials, equipment and supplies in both the classroom and play space
- Ensure that the team collaborates to share observation, curriculum development, and contribute to the preparation of Parent’s Night and Parent Teacher Conferences
- Ensure that planning time is utilized efficiently to prepare for classroom experiences and projects, documentation, and parent communications
- Create an environment that is void of stereotyping, labeling, and diagnosing children
- Attend all required meetings as defined by the administration including team and staff meetings, parent meetings and conferences, and school-wide events
Engagement with Children
- Respect children as having preparedness, potential, curiosity, and interest in constructing their own learning
- Adhere to all health and safety guidelines outlined by our license and the ECE Staff Handbook to ensure that children are always supervised, safe and account for in the classroom, play space, common spaces, bathrooms, and during organized field trips or neighborhood walks
- Be responsive to the individual and developmental needs of each child
- Maintain visual and auditory supervision of children always
- Engage with children in a positive, supportive, and open-minded manner
- Promote self-esteem, and encourage children’s independence and self-help skills with appropriate expectations
- Support children to resolve and negotiate conflicts and sets appropriate behavioral expectations aligned with the program’s philosophy
Engagement with Families
- Embrace families as essential partners of our school community
- Supports and attends family programs including Havdalah, Chanukah, and Purim family events
- Communicate with families and caregivers in a positive, supportive, and professional manner
- Communicate all parental concerns to the teaching team and/or administration in a timely manner
- Maintain a respectful, non-judgmental demeanor with families and model respect for cultural and religious differences
- Maintain confidentiality in terms of children, staff, and parents when communicating with families and caregivers
- Maintain professional boundaries with families and caregivers; avoid gossip and inappropriate interactions
Engagement with Colleagues
- Be a role model to emphasize how collaboration, trust, confidentiality, and mutual respect with colleagues is key to our program’s success
- Contribute to the development of community among colleagues that encourages the sharing of ideas and opinions; demonstrate a willingness to help others
- Communicate directly and kindly with colleagues when conflict arises; seek assistance from supervisors when guidance or mediation is needed
- Encourage all members of the team to reflect on observations of children to inform planning and approaches with children
- Actively engage in staff meetings, professional development workshops, and group processes as a valued member of the ECE community
- Exhibit willingness and flexibility and strive to assume fair share of work
- Refrain from discussing disagreements or concerns with colleagues in front of children
Engagement with Administration and Professional Development
- Uphold the mission, vision, and educational philosophy of the BZBI Early Childhood Program
- Attain required professional credentials and/or educational requirements as outlined in Annual Contract
- Be responsive to guidance and feedback from supervisor(s) and engage in professional development opportunities
- Follow appropriate line of protocol when handling grievances, conflicts, or concerns including conflicts with colleagues or families and concerns about children’s health or safety including sharing concerns about children with administration before discussing with families
- Follow appropriate protocol and supervisory approval when communicating absences, emergencies, lateness, or schedule changes
- Refrain from practices that discriminate against colleagues, families, and children because of sex, race, national origin, religious beliefs or other affiliations, age, marital status/family structure, disability, or sexual orientation
- Display willingness to perform other duties as necessary to ensure program compliance and quality of services to children and families
PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- AA, BA or MA in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or related field preferred
- Minimum of 12-24 ECE units from an accredited college or university in courses designated in the following areas: Child Development; ECE Special Education; Child and Family
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience as a teaching assistant in a preschool classroom
- Familiarity and/or interest in working in a Reggio Emilia inspired preschool setting
- Willingness to engage in Jewish learning around culture, holidays, and values with colleagues and children
- Willingness to obtain and maintain the required certificates: Mandated Reporter, Infant/Child CPR and First Aid, Health and Safety Training, Fire Safety Training, and 6 Professional Development Hours each year
- Proficiency in verbal and written communication including basic computer skills
- Ability to lift and carry children up to 70 lbs
This is a part-time position (Aug 17, 2020-June 11, 2021) with potential for full time hours contingent on enrollment. All first round interviews will be held via Zoom during this time.
10-month position begins August 17, 2020 - June 11, 2021, with the option to work in our 8-week summer camp program.
WE WILL ONLY CONSIDER APPLICANTS WITH REQUIRED DEGREE AND EXPERIENCE. MUST SUBMIT COVER LETTER WITH RESUME.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $22.50 - $23.50 per hour
Expected hours: 32 – 40 per week
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Ability to Relocate:
- Philadelphia, PA 19103: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person