Organizational Context
The Beatrice and Morris Glasser Preschool provides an educational foundation for young children, including teachings of Judaism as embraced by Oak Park Temple B'nai Abraham Zion. Glasser Preschool is a mid-sized preschool with a capacity for 70 students currently offering a half-day program. Our curriculum promotes each child's physical, emotional, educational, ethical, and social growth and is designed around the concept that children learn through play. Our classroom environment encourages children to make choices, develop a positive self-concept, and promote learning through experimentation and problem-solving. Glasser Preschool enhances the Oak Park Temple community by providing religious, educational, and social support for families with young children. Glasser Preschool welcomes all children regardless of religious affiliation and strives to promote acceptance and understanding of the benefits of diversity.
Position Overview
The full-time, year-round director oversees all aspects of the preschool’s and summer camp’s daily operations, including faculty, students, families, programs, facilities, and curriculum. The Director ensures the implementation of a child-centered emergent curriculum enriched with Jewish values and traditions while fostering a strong sense of community among families and staff. The Director will actively support the teaching staff by promoting open communication, providing professional guidance, and serving as a consistent and encouraging presence in their classrooms. Additionally, the Director is an Oak Park Temple senior staff member working within the greater Oak Park Temple community. The director is responsible for aligning Glasser Preschool and the synagogue’s mission and philosophy in partnership with the board, clergy, and other staff members.
Areas of Responsibility
Leadership & Vision
- Enact a clear vision for the preschool that aligns with play-based learning principles and Oak Park Temple’s mission, including building strong relationships with families, the synagogue, and the broader community.
Curriculum & Programming
- Oversee the development and implementation of a curriculum that promotes social-emotional, cognitive, and physical growth while integrating Jewish holidays, traditions, and values.
- Oversee the development and implementation of Camp Bet Yeladim summer camp.
Staff Management
- Recruit, hire, and train teaching staff.
- Supervise, evaluate, and provide ongoing support and professional development opportunities for teaching staff to ensure high-quality instruction and alignment with the school’s mission.
- Promote a collaborative, warm, and respectful working environment.
Family Engagement
- Build strong relationships with families, foster a strong sense of community within Glasser Preschool, and facilitate teachers’ open communication and regular updates about children’s progress and classroom activities.
Operations & Administration
- Work with Oak Park Temple staff and the board of directors to manage Glasser Preschool’s budget.
- Participate in Glasser Parent Committee board meetings.
- Develop and enact fundraising initiatives in collaboration with the board of directors and the Glasser Parent Committee.
- Maintain compliance with all local, state, and federal licensing requirements, IL/DCFS requirements, and records for children and staff.
Community Building Within Oak Park Temple
- Create and enact temple programming for families with young children.
- Participate in Oak Park Temple's weekly senior staff meetings and monthly board meetings.
Community Building Beyond Oak Park Temple
- Promote Glasser Preschool within the local community and enroll and welcome new families into the program.
- Participate in local and national early childhood education meetings, conferences, and professional development opportunities.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s or Master’s (preferred) degree in Early Childhood Education or related field as aligned with IL/DCFS standards.
- Minimum 5 years of professional experience working in an early childhood education setting with at least 2 years in a supervisory role.
- Knowledge of Jewish traditions, holidays, and values, and the ability to integrate them meaningfully into the curriculum.
Certifications
- Meets or exceeds IL/DCFS licensing requirements for early childhood educators and directors.
- CPR and First Aid certified (or willingness to obtain).
- Food Sanitation Management certified (or willingness to obtain).
Skills & Attributes
- Demonstrate exceptional organizational, time management, and multitasking abilities.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Comfort leading a variety of outreach and recruitment efforts.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive salary: $65,000–80,000 (based on experience)
- Benefits package includes:
- Paid time off and paid Family & Medical Leave
- Health, dental, and vision insurance (for you and your family)
- Pension contribution
- Professional development allowance
- Temple membership
- Religious school and preschool tuition
To apply, please send a resume and letter of interest to Amy Carson and Sarah Larison at [email protected]. Preference will be given to candidates who apply by Friday, April 4th, 2025.
Consistent with our mission, Oak Park Temple is an equal opportunity employer. The congregation will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, age, sexual orientation, sex, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, military status, marital status, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. It is the policy of the congregation that certain positions must be filled by persons of the Jewish faith as a bona fide occupational qualification. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment. All employees, regardless of position, are expected to maintain and contribute to this policy.