Position: Preschool Director
Location: Agudas Achim Congregation - Alexandria, VA
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: Range of $55,000 - $70,000, based on experience and education
Job Summary:
Agudas Achim Congregation, a vibrant Conservative synagogue located in Northern Virginia located just outside of Washington, DC, is seeking a passionate and experienced Preschool Director to lead our thriving play-based, child-centered, and developmentally appropriate early childhood education program. The Director is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the preschool, ensuring a joyful, safe, loving environment steeped in Jewish values where young children can grow socially, cognitively, and physically. The Director also works closely with the clergy and other Senior Staff, as well as lay leadership. An ideal candidate will have a strong background in early childhood education, leadership, and a heart for the whole child, ensuring that all children are respected, supported, engaged, and challenged.
About Agudas Achim Preschool:
Founded in 2005, for 20 years Agudas Achim Preschool has served families and young children in a thoughtful, creative, and nurturing learning environment. We strive to provide a positive first-school experience that supports families during early childhood, and we hope to be remembered by our families with fondness and affection. Embracing diversity, we welcome all faiths, cultures, family structures, and strive to meet each child's needs. We create a joyful learning environment where children, parents, and teachers develop meaningful relationships in a welcoming and inclusive community. Within this thriving community, we are planning for a fully enrolled Preschool for the upcoming school year.
Rooted in Jewish values, we provide a rich Jewish education for families raising Jewish children as well as all those interested in our traditions and early childhood Jewish learning. We also provide a well-rounded general education that fosters curiosity, lifelong skills, and school readiness. Committed to meeting the diverse needs of all our enrolled children and their families, we partner with parents to support their child’s growth. Through play-based learning, we inspire exploration, creativity, and a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.
Key Responsibilities:
- Education: Develop and implement a curriculum that aligns with Jewish values and best practices in child development.
- Compliance: Maintain compliance with state and local licensing requirements and safety regulations.
- Communication: Bring energy to the family community by ensuring effective and ongoing communication with parents regarding curriculum, policies, and events; provide information to families and staff about individual students’ learning, behavior, and experiences; address sensitive issues with families using strong interpersonal skills; communicate regularly with the Preschool committee, other Senior Staff members, the Synagogue Board, the clergy, and others in the community regarding Preschool needs and interests and determining how those dovetail with the community’s interests.
- Marketing: Play a leadership role, in partnership with the synagogue staff, Board of Directors, and volunteers, to continue to achieve our enrollment and retention goals; create excitement in the community through marketing; generate and follow-up on enrollment leads; work with families to meet their needs and demonstrate that the Preschool is a special place to begin their children’s educational journeys; partner with others to integrate preschool and synagogue messaging through effective, contemporary marketing strategies; conduct community outreach that reflects an understanding of families’ needs.
- Budget and Finance: Work with the Synagogue Board and Finance Committee to develop and oversee management of the budget, including tuition pricing and expense tracking and management; research and apply for grants and other funding opportunities; and participate in fundraising efforts.
- Special Programming: Organize special programs, events, and activities that enhance the preschool experience.
- Hiring: Hire all teaching staff; determine compensation packages for teachers; assist staff in setting and working toward professional goals; enable a positive culture of collaboration, teamwork, communication, and high engagement; inspire and lead staff to develop and maintain a cooperative and supportive professional atmosphere; provide staff with the structure and resources to create an environment of curiosity, lifelong learning, and ongoing professional development that contributes to a joyful learning experience for the children.
- Senior Staff Member: Oversee the Preschool community in close coordination with other Senior Staff members, the Synagogue Board, the clergy, and others in the community as part of the leadership team.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
- Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in early childhood education, with leadership or administrative experience.
- Experience with Jewish culture, traditions, and values in an educational setting.
- Familiarity with current trends in early childhood education.
- Demonstrated success in growing preschool enrollment through effective marketing and community engagement.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships and work together with families, Preschool staff, other Senior Staff members, the clergy, the Synagogue Board and the wider community.
- A proven collaborator whose background and philosophy reflect an appreciation for the value of teamwork to be successful.
- Ability to identify, recommend and pursue relevant grant opportunities.
- A mindset of creativity, curiosity, and resourcefulness with an orientation towards seeking solutions.
- Strong knowledge of play-based, child-centered, and developmentally appropriate education principles and ability to integrate Jewish values into the curriculum.
- Ability to create a warm, engaging, and inclusive environment for children and families.
- Experience with implementing specialized instruction for students with diverse learning needs, with a strong focus on inclusion and equitable learning opportunities.
Benefits:
- Paid time off, holidays, and professional development opportunities.
- Opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and families.
- Optional employer-paid health insurance, optional dental and vision insurance.
- Supportive community and collaborative work environment.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and references to [email protected] with the subject line "Preschool Director Application."
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.