Assitant Director of Preschool, Stoler Early Learning Center

Inspired by the work we do every day, the JCC is an organization centered on Jewish values and focused on creating meaningful experiences and opportunities to enrich, connect, and positively impact our community.

We pride ourselves on our inclusive and welcoming workplace and celebrate the diversity of our employees. We value all members of our team in a supportive environment in which everyone is treated with appreciation and respect and positioned to do their best work every day.

SUMMARY : The Assistant Director of the Stoler Early Learning Center is a full-time position that demonstrates leadership abilities by creating and maintaining a positive learning environment for educators, children, and families enrolled in the ELC.

The Assistant Director is tasked with a wide variety of responsibilities, including assisting the Senior Director with the daily management of the school, staff hiring, onboarding, and retention, and ensuring the philosophy, vision, and goals of J Early Childhood are understood, valued, and implemented.

The Assistant Director is responsible for supervising, supporting, and collaborating with the educators assigned in their age groups (Preschool or Infant / Toddler / 2s).

The Assistant Director will work with our leadership team to ensure that the school operates in accordance with JCC policies and procedures, and state licensing standards.

They will play a crucial role in ensuring the delivery of high-quality, constructivist approach to early childhood education, fostering a rich learning environment that respects, honors, and celebrates the interests, curiosity, and creativity of young children that is rooted in Jewish values and traditions

This position requires an enthusiastic, creative individual, who is well organized, a self-starter, someone with excellent people skills that can motivate and enrich the education of staff, children, and families.

The successful candidate will exceed expectations for delivering exceptional customer service to families enrolled at the school and create a sense of community among all participants.

WHAT YOU WILL DO : Specific duties include but are not limited to :

Program Development and Administration

• Assist the Senior Director and leadership team in managing daily operations, scheduling, and parent communication.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director and Assistant Director of Judaic Curriculum and Engagement in designing and implementing a developmentally appropriate curriculum infused with Jewish values, traditions, and holidays.
• Support teachers in planning and executing engaging and enriching classroom activities that promote children's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
• Provide on-going and timely communication with the parents of the children enrolled in the school.
• Work with the ELC Leadership team to maintain organization of shared spaces within the ELC.
• Opening or closing the school. Opening means arriving at 7 : 30am to greet staff and families as they begin the day. Closing means to stay until 5 : 30pm or when the last child is picked up.

Staff Management and Development :

Hiring and Onboarding : oActively manage teacher recruitment by working with marketing, human resources, and the ELC Leadership team.

oSupport the hiring process by conducting phone screenings, first round interviews, and arranging 2nd round interviews for the Senior Director.

oOnboard new staff members, completing New Hire Orientation, training staff on licensing guidelines and ELC policies and protocols, checking in with new staff as they adjust to the team, program, and culture.

• Provide guidance, support, and mentorship to teaching staff.
• Conduct on-going and annual performance evaluations, goal setting, and document teachers’ performance to provide feedback.
• Use knowledge of child development and best practices to model successful early childhood strategies, techniques and lessons in the classroom.
• Support teachers and teaching teams in lesson planning and setting up and implementing classroom management plans and strategies.
• Help teachers and teaching teams create and utilize observation templates to document individual student development.
• Keep abreast of new developments in the field of early childhood education and assist in creating and maintaining a library of resources for educators (books, articles, videos, webinars) to support educators’ growth and deepen their knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice and child-centered learning.
• Align mentorship with school vision and act as a role model for all staff.

Licensing and Accreditation :

• Stay informed and up to date about state licensing requirements, regulations, and standards relevant to early childhood education and preschool programs.
• Work closely with the Senior Director and administrative staff to ensure that the preschool meets and maintains compliance with all licensing regulations and ELC standards.
• Manage Licensing, including but not limited to maintaining files of all employees at the preschool, gathering New Hire Paperwork, submitting additions, deletions, or changes to licensing, and tracking continuing education hours for all staff.
• Actively help the ELC continue to increase and maintain its Maryland EXCELS status and rating.
• Organize and facilitate Professional Development for staff members on topics related to licensing regulations, active supervision and child safety, mandated reporting, etc.

Family and Community Engagement :

• Assist the Senior Director in fostering strong partnerships with parents and families, providing regular communication, support, and resources to enhance their involvement in their child's education and the broader school community.
• Represent the preschool at community events, outreach initiatives, and networking opportunities to promote enrollment and strengthen relationships with stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, other agencies, and outside partners to market programs and increase community, family engagement, and enrollment.

Noah’s Ark Camp :

Support Noah’s Ark Camp by maintaining role and responsibilities as listed in the core responsibilities section above leading up to and throughout summer months.

General Responsibilities for all Early Childhood Staff :

• Demonstrate self-awareness, empathy, confidentiality and professionalism.
• Provide for the health and safety of all children in the school.
• Comfortable speaking in a group setting, such as on a tour.
• Consistently treat children with dignity, respect and compassion.
• Portray a calm and supportive presence under difficult and / or challenging circumstances.
• Promote the equitable, fair and consistent treatment of all staff members, parents, and children.
• Participate in all training programs, conferences, seminars, courses and other aspects of professional growth and continuing education provided by the JCC and other outside resources to meet the MSDE licensing requirements.
• Must fulfill responsibilities in accordance with the Early Learning Center and JCC philosophy, mission, goals, and vision.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS : Salary (or Salary Range) : $55,000 - $62,000 Benefit & Perks : The JCC offers a comprehensive benefits package including generous time off, paid holidays, health, dental and vision insurance, 401(k) employer match, FSA / HSA options, life insurance, long term disability, complimentary membership to the Jewish Community Center, discounts on programs including preschool and summer camp, and wellbeing programming.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and incumbent will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by supervisor or other management, as required.

The JCC reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the needs arise. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In keeping with our Jewish values, we are dedicated to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, citizenship, veteran's status, physical or mental disability that does not prohibit the performance of essential job functions (with or without reasonable accommodation) or any other basis protected by federal, or applicable, state or local law.

We welcome everyone interested in our mission to join us. If you require accommodation, please contact us and we will make every effort to meet your needs.

• Degree in one of the following or related fields preferred : Early Childhood Education, Curriculum Development, Special Education, Psychology, Family Studies, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience working with young children in a school setting or in a similar environment.
• Strong understanding of child development and best practice in early childhood education and an in-depth knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice, play-based and child-centered learning.

Experience with constructivist philosophy, including project work and documentation.

• Knowledge and understanding of behavior management and teaching techniques.
• Strong leadership presence.
• Knowledge, ability, and experience with coaching and supporting educators.
• Familiarity with Jewish cultures and customs and / or willingness to learn.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with children, families, and faculty.
• Possess strong organizational skills and the ability to muti-task and prioritize multiple projects and initiatives.
• Ability to use media such as computers, i-Pads, our Parent Portal (Brightwheel App), cameras, apps and sites such as Word, Excel, Zoom, PowerPoint,
• Must be CPR and First Aid certified or have the ability to obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certification within three months of employment.

The position must also obtain medical administration certification.

PHYSICAL SKILLS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT : The work environment is typically loud and fast paced. This job requires high energy and positive interactions with staff as well as with parents, members, other agency employees, community leaders, and outside partners, vendors, and others.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use the phone and computer, talk and hear, reach with hands and arms, and stoop, kneel and crouch.

The employee must have the physical strength and ability to lift, carry, and / or move children or other objects up to 50 pounds and sit on the floor to engage with children.

This position requires spending hours each day outside on their feet, in a variety of weather. Must have the ability to quickly travel to opposite ends of the campus facility to address crisis situations.

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