Hebrew Dean/ Director

Job Description

Job Description

Shalom School is hiring a Hebrew Dean to own our PreK-6 Hebrew program, build Hebrew exposure across the whole building, align instruction to the ACTFL proficiency approach, and coach the teachers who deliver it.

Shalom School is Sacramento's only community Jewish day school , serving children from 18 months through 6th grade. We are a small independent school where every child is known, supported and challenged. Families come to us from many backgrounds. About half of our preschool families are not Jewish, and our elementary classes are mostly Jewish families. Our work rests on three pillars, Excellence, Belonging and Tradition.

Hebrew is part of daily life here. Students learn it in ability groups using Ulpan Or, and we are aligning the program to the ACTFL proficiency approach so students can use Hebrew to communicate, not only to recite.

Title

Hebrew Dean / Director 

Reports to

Head of School

Works with

Hebrew teachers, Director of Jewish Life and Learning, K-6 Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Instructional Support Coordinator

Position type

Full-time

Teaching load

A small number of Hebrew groups

Location

Shalom School, 2320 Sierra Boulevard, Sacramento, CA

Salary

$75,000 to $95,000 per year, based on experience

• Own the PreK-6 Hebrew program, including the scope and sequence. Keep Ulpan Or as the core model and align each level to ACTFL proficiency targets.
• Build Hebrew exposure across the building, from preschool routines and songs to signs, assemblies and holidays, so students hear and use Hebrew from their first day.
• Lead the revised scope and sequence planned for 2027-28, with clear end of year expectations at every level.
• Review materials and bring in new ones where students need them.
• Connect Hebrew to Jewish life, holidays and Israel, working with the Director of Jewish Life and Learning.

• Observe Hebrew classes using the school's teacher observation rubric, give timely feedback and set goals with each teacher.
• Coach teachers on lesson planning, routines and keeping instruction in Hebrew.
• Run team meetings and professional learning for the Hebrew team.
• Take part in hiring, onboarding and teaching assignments for Hebrew staff.

• Run proficiency based assessments and use ACTFL aligned rubrics to track growth.
• Place students in ability groups and review placement each term.
• Share progress clearly with teachers, families and school leadership, and support the Hebrew portion of report cards.

• Support students at very different starting points, including newcomers, students without a Jewish background and native Hebrew speakers.
• Work with the Instructional Support Coordinator on students who need extra support.
• Talk with families about Hebrew expectations and progress, and join parent conferences when needed.

• Teach a small number of Hebrew groups if the role includes a teaching load.
• Help plan and attend schoolwide programs, holidays and community events, some in the evening or on weekends.

• Bachelor's degree in education, Hebrew or a related field
• Fluent Hebrew, native or near native, spoken and written
• Five or more years teaching Hebrew, including time leading or coaching other teachers
• Working knowledge of second language acquisition and proficiency based instruction
• Knowledge of Jewish customs, holidays, Torah and prayer
• DOJ fingerprint clearance

• Master's degree in education, Hebrew or a related field
• Experience with the ACTFL proficiency approach in a Jewish day school or Hebrew program
• Teaching license or credential
• Experience with Ulpan Or or a similar Hebrew curriculum
• Experience writing curriculum and assessments for Hebrew

You are a strong Hebrew teacher who has also coached other teachers. You use data to decide what happens next in a classroom and you explain your reasoning plainly to colleagues and parents. You can work with students at every level, from a first grader hearing Hebrew for the first time to a native speaker who needs more challenge. You care about Jewish tradition, and you want every family to feel they belong here, whatever their background. You are comfortable with technology and with a school small enough that everyone helps where needed.

Salary is $75,000 to $95,000 per year, based on experience and qualifications. The schedule is to be set. Some evening or weekend hours are needed for community events and school functions.

Benefits, as listed for other Shalom School roles

• Medical, dental and vision insurance if working 30 hours or more each week
• 10 days of PTO per school year
• Paid school closure days
• 100% tuition remission for K-6 children attending Shalom School if working 30 hours or more each week
• 40% tuition remission for Preschool and Pre-K children if working 30 hours or more each week
• A supportive, mission driven community with room for professional growth