Head Educator

DESCRIPTION OF PARK AVENUE SYNAGOGUE:

Park Avenue Synagogue (PAS) is one of the largest Conservative congregations in North America. Located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the synagogue includes a staff of more than 160 talented individuals, who together with a world-class clergy team, serve a membership of over 1,800 households. Our thriving Adult Programming, Early Childhood Center, Congregational School, Youth, and Young Family Education departments provide high-quality and inclusive Jewish educational, social, and worship opportunities to members and the community at large.

DESCRIPTION OF JOB:

We are seeking a Head Educator to be employed in the Synagogue’s Penn Family Early Childhood Center (ECC) for the 2024-2025 school year. You must implement a developmentally appropriate and progressive curriculum, balanced in play and educator-directed activities. You will work in a team of three educators which includes an Associate and Assistant Educator. This position will report directly to the Director of the Early Childhood Center. Becoming part of the faculty of educators at the ECC requires an individual to remain self-aware and self-reflective in forming and evaluating professional goals to develop in their role. "At Penn Family Early Childhood Center, we are all growing." This position is full time and exempt from overtime. If you are passionate about education, this may be the role for you!

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Modeling a positive, respectful attitude towards your position, students, and families.
• Manage a team of educators in achieving the Educational Philosophy of the school.
• Oversee the collaboration of developing lesson plans in all curricular areas such as social skill development, language and literacy, sensory experiences, math, science, dramatic play, cooking, music and movement, block building and art; this includes setting and maintaining a weekly planning meeting for the educational team.
• Implement classroom management techniques.
• Oversee the writing of all progress reports for students.
• Create and maintain a culture of ongoing engagement with parents that is clear and consistent.
• Mentor classroom educational team and delegate responsibilities to facilitate their growth and development.
• Lead the classroom educational team in integrating new curricular programs that may include learning and demonstrating proficiency in computer skills and other AV methods needed to deliver content.
• Follow all policies and procedures outlined in Penn Family Early Childhood Center’s Staff Handbook as well as the Park Avenue Synagogue Staff Handbook.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Facilitate learning across various environments and situations such as: communicating at eye level, sitting on the floor or at child sized tables to engaging with students, lifting a child in duress, offering a lap to a child in need.
• Toileting is an integral aspect of the developmental learning process at the ECC. Educators need to be prepared to change diapers for all students. This includes lifting children onto a changing table or toilet seat as needed.
• Stair walking is the culture at the ECC. Rarely do students take the elevator. As such, educators need to walk with the students and monitor their safety and progress. At times, educators will need to run small groups with students to teach stair walking.

QUALIFICATIONS /CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Master’s Degree preferably in Early Childhood Education.
• 2-3 years’ experience as a lead educator in an Early Childhood setting.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. always Maintaining a friendly and positive attitude and behavior.
• Excellent instructional skills.
• Communicate positively with parents.
• Excellent computer skills. Experience in utilizing AV methods.
• Experience with The Project Approach, a plus.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $51,000.00 per year

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work setting:

• In-person

Ability to Relocate:

• New York, NY 10128: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person