Temple Ner Tamid, a Reform Synagogue in Bloomfield, NJ, is seeking a part-time In-Person Inclusion Specialist to work with our K-12th grade supplementary program for this coming school year of August 15, 2024-May 23, 2025.
This role is part-time, averaging 15 hours per week, with occasional variations in schedule that will include some heavier and lighter weeks. The Inclusion Specialist must be present in the building on Sundays and Wednesdays. Other days and times are flexible.
The role of the Inclusion Specialist is to work with students, teachers, madrichim (teen assistants), the Director of Youth and Family Education, the Assistant Director of Youth and Family Education, and others as needed, to support the development of an inclusive curriculum and experiences for all students, support teachers of students with diverse learning needs, support students and families who are Jews of color, and support teens (and their parents) who are exploring their gender identity or sexuality and may need a safe place or person to talk to.
This position reports to the Director of Youth and Family Education.
Core Responsibilities Include:
- Lead an inclusive practice, pedagogy, and culture while providing support and
information to staff and parents on the inclusion of all children at Temple Ner Tamid.
- Provide ongoing communication with families regarding their children’s learning needs, including IEPs and 504 plans.
- Support staff and teachers in implementing inclusive practices in curriculum planning.
and assessment. This will support the regular review of the learning environment, daily routines, activities, and social interactions to enable children of all abilities and backgrounds to participate appropriately in individual and communal tasks.
- Conduct classroom observations (when necessary) and provide classroom management feedback to teachers on how to make the classroom a more inclusive place for all students.
- Document students’ success through observations and curriculum planning/
development in partnership with the Director of Youth and Family Education.
- Model good practice and utilize different strategies for collaborating with teachers
regarding effective communication with children and their families.
- Train teachers on current practices and inclusion in the classroom space and provide feedback to said teachers.
- Provide one-to-one support for our robust teen community in partnership with our
Assistant Director of Youth and Family Education.
- Assist with the implementation and creation of a sensory-sensitive Chanukah Festival, Purim Carnival, inclusion practices for Shabbat, and other Special Needs programming.
- Develop opportunities for parents of children of color to come together in conversation for support and to offer suggestions for how to ensure that their children are comfortable and welcome in the synagogue environment.
- Be present and available during Religious School Hours and faculty meetings.
- Attend weekly Religious School Huddle Meetings on Mondays from 12:30-1:30pm.
August/September:
- Schedule meetings (phone/zoom or in person) with parents/guardians of students who have identified accessibility challenges on their enrollment or whom we have identified as potentially needing more support, to talk about goals, plans, and support for the year (invite director as needed).
- Compile ‘Access Plans’- documents identifying strategies for including identified students
- Develop year-long goals, identify potential access barriers, compile parent-suggested and TNT-suggested interventions to support access
- Develop and implement a year-long staff training program in concert with the director on supporting students with disabilities, modifying training programs as needs arise throughout the year.
- Plan 3-4 opportunities throughout the year to engage with parents of students-of-color for dialogue and to create an action plan if necessary.
Throughout The Year You Will:
- Develop and facilitate training sessions for all teen Madrichim throughout the year in collaboration with Directors and in response to observed student needs.
- Provide staff training programs to support needs as they arise in the classroom.
- Oversee and develop the Madrichim Shadow program (a program to support teens who are working with one particular student rather than a whole class), providing informal weekly coaching, observations, 1-1 checking, cohort training, and model effective strategies.
- Communicate with families and teachers throughout the year about challenges and successes that arise for students with access needs.
- Observe and support students with disabilities in class and provide feedback for Teachers/Madrichim on what they observe, providing ideas and suggestions based on what is observed about specific students.
- Meet regularly with the Director to discuss challenges and successes as well as observations of teachers and students. Discuss school events and plan for points of access as needed.
- Consult the director on access support purchases.
- Maintain notes on student observations, teacher and parent/guardian conversations/recommendations, sharing with the Director, Assistant Director, and, as appropriate, the teachers of the students.
- Maintain confidentiality around student, family, and teacher information.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and/or MSW
- 2-3 years of experience in the field
- Demonstrated success working with children ages 4-18, creating a welcoming environment, and building meaningful relationships
- Must be a self-starter who takes initiative
- Brings new ideas and the ability to implement them
- Has excellent communication and organizational skills
- Is passionate, fun, enthusiastic, creative, and energetic
- Is excited to work as part of a team to create new and exciting educational opportunities
- for our community
- Knowledge of supplementary Jewish education and Judaism is helpful but not required
Availability/Schedule:
- Sundays 8:15am-1:45pm (5.5 hours)
- Mondays 12:30pm-4:00pm (3.5 hours)
- Wednesdays 3:30pm-9:30pm (6 hours)
Salary: $45/hour for 15 hours/week for 38 weeks in the school year. August 15, 2024-May 23, 2025.
School Closed from December 22, 2024 -January 1, 2025
April 13-20, 2025 1 week for Montclair, NJ Spring Break and Passover