Temple Beth Sholom (Miami Beach, Florida; www.tbsmb.org) seeks a Director of the Foundation Level (Infant through Pre-Kindergarten age learners) at the Innovative School (https://innovativeschool.org) to start June 1, 2025 for the 2025-26 School Year. The ideal candidate will love children, be versed in the Reggio approach, have a strong Jewish identity, demonstrate a background in early childhood education (classroom experience and management experience are both a plus) and strong organizational and leadership skills.
Overview
The Innovative School of Temple Beth Sholom is a Reggio-inspired, Reform Jewish community dedicated to joyful learning. Temple Beth Sholom, a vibrant and inclusive Jewish congregation in Miami Beach, is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism.
At The Innovative School, we cultivate a welcoming and collaborative environment where listening is paramount, thinking is visible, communication is authentic, and our practices are reflective. As a community, we strive to recognize and actualize limitless possibilities. Our Jewish roots ground us and guide our daily lives, influencing our decisions and approaches.
Our educational philosophy is driven by the belief that children are competent individuals. We are committed to deepening our understanding of child development and upholding children’s rights to learn and grow in a nurturing environment that supports their spiritual, cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. We are also dedicated to the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam, making the world a better place. The importance of relationships is a core value, weaving a strong fabric of partnerships among staff, families, and children.
We believe that school should be a place for learning how to live and become productive members of the community, not just for academic learning. Our KEHILLA APPROACH™—which stands for Kindness, Empathy, Honesty, Integrity, Life-Long Learners, and Acceptance—along with the Reggio Emilia Approach, guide us in our process of living and learning. These approaches bridge the gap between academic content, skills, and concepts with meaningful applications that make the pursuit of knowledge relevant in the real world. Our students become co-constructors of their learning, a disposition that will be nurtured throughout their lives.
Job Responsibilities
Curriculum and Education Responsibilities:
- Plan and select curriculum materials for Foundation level
- Work with Head of School to conduct annual review of Foundation Level curriculum, both Judaic and secular, to ensure appropriateness for learner needs
- Revise and update curriculum as needed to ensure that it promotes the very highest standards of excellence and integrates the rich traditions of our Jewish heritage
- Plan for the evaluation of learners regarding progress, abilities and special needs
Work with Foundation Level Teachers and Staff:
- Work with Head of School to recruit and retain teachers for Foundation Level
- Provide Foundation-level staff with on-going high quality professional development throughout the year
- Serve as a strong and supportive mentor to Foundation-level staff
- Create space for teacher input and reflective practices
- Maintain an ongoing personnel file for all staff under the Head of School’s supervision.
- Observe and evaluate staff and provide assistance to individual teachers in an effort to improve classroom approaches and practices.
Recruit and Work with Families and Learners:
- Welcome and greet learners and families each day
- Maintain relationships with current families
- Meet with parents of prospective learners
- Work with Temple Staff and the Head of School for the learner and parent orientation for Foundation Level
- Assist in promoting enrollment
Administrative Duties (work with appropriate Temple Leadership and Staff):
- Ensure compliance with all applicable health, safety and licensing regulations.
- Compliance with policies adopted by the Temple’s Board of Trustees and/or Education Committee.
- Maintain records that pertain to the administration of the school.
- Work with the Head of School on developing the school's master schedule and monthly calendar and a long-range plan for school development in conjunction with lay leadership and members of Temple Board
- Prepare monthly reports including a report in the Temple Newsletter
- Responsible for regular communication with parents to include email and printed correspondence, newsletters and conferences
- Supervision of the management of classroom practices
- Schedule the responsibilities of the teaching staff, use of shared classroom space and equipment
- Purchase and manage distribution of supplies and equipment for Foundation level
- Engage in active participation in the Parents Teacher Organization (PTO) or equivalent organization
- Meet with school Administrative Team weekly
- Meet with Director of Finance quarterly to review budget vs. actual financial results for the Foundation Level of the Innovative School
Religious Responsibilities:
- Work with synagogue clergy and Religious School Director regarding the Judaic curriculum and programming for celebrating holidays
- Participate with learners in weekly Kabbalat Shabbat services and periodic family programs, festivals, and holiday celebrations
Community Responsibilities:
- Attend and participate in professional conferences, and other educational events
- Be available for participation in community groups pertaining to early childhood education (e.g., CAJE, JCECE, etc.)
- Participate in events sponsored by the school and Temple
- Actively participate in community organizations
Job Details
This job is a year-round position with approximate work hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., plus flexibility for school meetings and Temple events. This position includes a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, professional development expenses, relocation allowance, four weeks paid time off per year, and complimentary Temple membership. Position reports to the Head of School.
The actual compensation offered will be based on a number of factors including, but not limited to the qualifications of the applicant, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, and certifications or other professional licenses held.
To apply for the position, please submit your resume and cover letter to [email protected]. Due to the high volume of applications that we receive, we are only able to contact those applicants whose experience most aligns with the position profile.
For more information on our dynamic community, visit www.tbsmb.org and www.innovativeschool.org.