Location and Job Title:

Preschool Teacher
JCC of Central NJ
1391 Martine Ave
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

Principal Responsibilities:

Join the teaching staff of one of the most sought-after school programs in New Jersey - the Brody Family Early Learning Center at the JCC of Central NJ.
See what our teachers are saying about working at the Brody Family Early Learning Center:

Our School Philosophy

Our program is designed to allow children to flourish as they interact with both their indoor and
outdoor physical and social environments. Our curriculum is intentional, progressive and dynamic and responds to the interests and creativity of both the children and the staff. We celebrate many perspectives and integrate a Jewish expression of values into learning.

Key Responsibilities

General

• Attend to children's physical and emotional safety by providing care, protection, consistency, and guidance to the children
• Be with children joyfully and treat them as competent learners and individuals
• Attend to classroom management, including flow of the day, group dynamics, and conflict resolution
• Develop relationships with families and colleagues through frequent communication and updates
• Identify your professional path and create goals for growth
• Attend school wide and class events such as picnics, parties, parent meetings, and other special programs, including JCC community wide events
• Maintain children's attendance and injury records

Pedagogy

• Support children's play, engage in reflection and discussion about children's growth and learning, and be responsive to children's developmental milestones
• Nurture physical, spiritual, emotional, social, and intellectual growth and development of each child
• Document children's play and learning, including portfolios, learning stories, hallway or classroom displays, and written and verbal parent communication
• Provide a cheerful, nurturing, healthy, safe and clean classroom environment
• Maintain inventory of supplies and rotate materials in line with milestone development
• Additional lead teacher responsibilities include:
  • Plan and implement a balanced pedagogy based on observation and reflection and according to the school goals and philosophy
  • Create weekly lesson plans with intentions based on an emergent curriculum and developmentally appropriate learning goals
  • Read and maintain children's files and portfolios including work samples, anecdotal notes and other documentation

Communication

• Monitor growth and development of each child; regularly communicate progress and concerns with parents and school leadership
• Attend to daily communication using the school's chosen software and on JCC email
• Maintain a continuing dialogue and problem solving with the teaching team
• Respect the privacy of children and families by maintaining strict confidentiality

Professional Development

• Participate in lifelong learning by increasing knowledge and abilities in the field of early childhood education through attendance at workshops and courses, reading books or articles, and attending pedagogical team meetings
• Work towards increasing knowledge of Judaism and related topics
• Complete at least 12 hours of professional development annually; maintain personal PD records
• Lead Teacher: collaborate with other school educators during weekly team meetings

Minimum Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• Lead teacher: Bachelor's or Master's degree in child-related field or Child Development Associate (CDA) certification
• Co-teacher: A minimum of a Child Development Associate (CDA) certification preferred. Willingness to obtain, or currently enrolled in CDA program, along with related experience considered
• Previous experience in a school setting, preferably 3 years or more
• CPR and First Aid certification or willingness to acquire
• Strong communication skills: oral, reading, writing
• Ability to relate to young children and adults
• Working knowledge of the growth and development of young children and ability to utilize this information in the classroom
• Judaic knowledge or willingness to acquire this knowledge through study

Physical Demands

• Occasional lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds
• Reaching, stooping, sitting on the floor and bending
• Spending time outdoors throughout the school year (in various weather conditions)
• Work hours
  • Lead teacher: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 3:00pm during the school year; occasional additional hours for meetings, professional development, and special programs
  • Co-teacher: 2 shifts available: 1) Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm or 2) Monday - Friday 10:00am-6:00pm during the school year; occasional additional hours for meetings, professional development, and special program

Salary:

$25,000 - $35,000

Agency Information:

The JCC of Central NJ's mission is to educate, enrich and empower our community - from generation to generation.

Our Vision is: In our community, with our community for our community.