Position/title: EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER
Job Location: Los Angeles, CA
Industry Category: Religious Organization / Education / Non-Profit
Reports to: Director of Early Childhood
Organization Name: Wise School
Department: Early Childhood Center
About Us
Founded in 1964, Stephen Wise Temple is one of the largest Reform Jewish synagogues and schools in the world. The Wise community consists of a thriving congregation; Wise School (a top-tier K-6 elementary school and Early Childhood Center); Center for Youth Engagement (including Religious School, teen programming, and Camp Wise); weekly worship services; and hundreds of opportunities for deep learning, tikkun olam (social justice/helping those in need), and Jewish engagement throughout the year. With 1,600 member families and more than 170 regular employees, Wise is known for its extensive educational, spiritual, and musical programs designed for individuals, couples, and families at all stages of life. The Wise campus is located on 19 beautiful acres atop the Mulholland Corridor of the Santa Monica Mountains and includes the state-of-the-art Katz Family Pavilion for athletic activities and diverse major events. The community founded by Rabbi Isaiah Zeldin is now led by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and a committed team of educators, administrators, and lay volunteers. Wise makes meaning and changes the world.
About the Position
The person selected for this position will be responsible for the general supervision and management of a class of preschool children.
Job Responsibilities
Responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to, the following:
Program:
· Planning and implementing a program that encourages the physical, social, and cognitive development of each child and that follows the policies and philosophy of the school.
· Utilizing all available resources to provide an educationally sound program, including field trips, resource people, creative themes, etc.
· Arranging a sound nutritional program.
· Adapting the program to the needs of the individual child with concern for his/her interests, special need, talents, and individual style and pace of learning.
· Arranging for an appropriate balance of quiet and active activities.
· As a key staff member in our religious educational institution, role-model the tenets of our faith on a daily basis to students and their families; participate in transmitting the expectations and values of our faith, playing a critical and essential role in the Temple’s ability to teach and minister to the daily needs of our students and members.
Relationships:
· Treating each child with dignity and respect.
· Working with other professional staff members to plan and implement activities that carry out the philosophy of the school and accepted early childhood education practices.
· Being respectful and cooperative as a member of a team of professionals.
· Helping each child to become aware of his/her role as an integral member of a group.
· Considering the individual child in relationship to his/her cultural and socio-economic background.
· Establishing a positive relationship with parents of the students.
Physical Environment:
· Maintaining a physical environment in the classroom that is inviting and conducive to learning and which lends itself to the teaching of developmentally appropriate activities.
· Being responsible for ensuring a classroom atmosphere that is conducive to learning, fun, and positive interaction between children
· Assuming an equal share of the joint housekeeping responsibilities of the nursery school staff.
· Providing a safe and healthy environment for each child.
Continuing Education:
· Attending all staff meetings, parent programs and orientations.
· Participating in recommended training programs, conferences courses, and other activities that ensure professional growth.
Record-keeping:
· Keeping records of evaluation for use in planning for individual needs of each child.
· Keeping accurate attendance records.
Minimum Qualifications
· College degree
· Certification in the field of Early Childhood Education highly preferred
· Excellent writing and communication skills
· Experience with ages 2-5 years
· Diplomatic, tactful, and possess the ability to show grace under pressure
· Strong interpersonal relationship building skills
· Strong organizational skills
· Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and dedication to the mission of Stephen Wise Temple and Wise Schools
· Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment
· Physically able to perform the job of a preschool teacher – ability to bend, stoop and lift up to 35 pounds