Preschool Lead Teacher

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:

Responsibilities:

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 Jewish 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 Teacher/s 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

• Keep a "portfolio" of each child's progress, including photographs, samples of their artwork, projects, writing, etc.

• Maintain all required reports pertaining to the class and/or individual children: This includes progress reports twice annually in January & June

• Submit a written lesson plan weekly to the Preschool Director for prior approval. This lesson plan MUST incorporate PA learning standards for early childhood education or Goals and Objectives outlined in the Creative Curriculum.

• Keep informed of current trends in Early Childhood to continuously learn and improve

• Reflect on learning with children

• Use observation and documentation to design goals and guide curriculum planning and monitor progress

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. Close supervision is required in the outdoor play areas, on trips, maintaining strategic points on playground, remembering to communicate with and view things at the child's eye level. Do not sit on the bleachers, benches or stand in groups.

• 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


Agency Information:

Kaiserman JCC Mission and Values:

Since 1971, the Kaiserman JCC has worked to advance and enrich life in Philadelphia. Our mission is to create fulfilling connections, enhance lives, and foster Jewish peoplehood through inspirational educational, cultural, and recreational programs. Our campus, which is located just west of Philadelphia, serves a diverse community through programs and activities that impact families, teens, and older adults.

Our guiding organizational values are rooted in Jewish tradition and inform how we deliver our mission. These values have universal resonance in the Jewish community and beyond--we welcome everyone to participate in the programming we offer.

Sakranut (Curiosity) - We pursue any opportunity to learn and grow as an organization and as individuals in service to our community.

Hod (Amenability) - We embrace change and stay nimble as community needs and preferences evolve.

Hachnasat Orchim (Hospitality) - We are committed to welcoming people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

Simcha (Joy) - Our work and what we offer to others inspires happiness and fulfillment, even amid life's great challenges.

L'dor V'dor (Connection) - We help strengthen the bonds between and among generations by bridging our past with a diverse and inclusive future.