Position/title: EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER
Approximately 30 Hours/Week
About Us
Founded in 1964, Stephen Wise Temple is one of the largest Reform Jewish synagogues and schools in the world. The Wise community consists of a thriving congregation; Wise School (a top-tier K-6 elementary school and Early Childhood Center); Center for Youth Engagement (including Religious School, teen programming, and Camp Wise); weekly worship services; and hundreds of opportunities for deep learning, tikkun olam (social justice/helping those in need), and Jewish engagement throughout the year. With 1,600 member families and more than 200 regular employees, Wise is known for its extensive educational, spiritual, and musical programs designed for individuals, couples, and families at all stages of life. The Wise campus is located on 19 beautiful acres atop the Mulholland Corridor of the Santa Monica Mountains and includes the state-of-the-art Katz Family Pavilion for athletic activities and diverse major events. The community founded by Rabbi Isaiah Zeldin is now led by Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback and a committed team of educators, administrators, and lay volunteers. Wise makes meaning and changes the world.
About the Position
Teachers at AMC works with a team of teachers. Alongside the other teacher(s), you will implement curriculum, differentiate learning as needed, and communicate with parents. You will create and maintain a warm and welcoming classroom environment that challenges children in every developmental area (social/emotional, cognitive, physical) while implementing positive classroom management. A supportive administrative team will provide needed guidance and professional development.
Job Responsibilities
• Support each child’s physical and educational needs through active engagement in the classroom.
• Collaborate with your team to develop lesson plans and implement small group instruction and curriculum-based experiences.
• Provide guidance and leadership to the team in meeting program expectations and standards.
• Document children’s learning and investigations using photos, videos, and written reflections.
• Oversee developmental assessments and integrate assessment goals into lesson planning.
• Prepare for and conduct parent-teacher conferences twice per year.
• Maintain ongoing communication with parents through daily updates and weekly lesson plans; follow up after hours when necessary.
• Ensure compliance with all state licensing health and safety requirements.
• Work closely with team members, staff, and administration to implement and uphold AMC’s philosophy and mission.
• Participate in occasional school functions held outside of normal school hours.
• Attend and actively contribute to all-staff meetings.
• Join weekly meetings with administration to align on goals and progress.
• Remains available during normal working hours to perform any assigned administrative duties, attend mandatory staff meetings, and participate in professional development or training sessions, during paid break hours, including Spring and Winter breaks.
• Other duties as assigned.
As a key staff member in our religious educational institution, you will serve as a role model of our faith’s tenets, demonstrating them daily to our members and the broader Temple community. This position plays a vital role in transmitting the expectations and values of our faith, ensuring that the Temple continues to minister effectively to the needs of our students and members.
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, related field.
• Five years or more experience working in a preschool classroom.
• Experience in emergent curriculum, as well as familiarity with Judaic practices preferred, Hebrew speaking a plus.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal relationship building skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Physical Requirements
• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Must be able to sit on the floor and get up and down with ease.
• Must be able to move quickly and respond to children in emergency situations.
• Must be able to see, hear, and respond to children’s needs, including during active play.
• Must be able to work indoors or outdoors as needed, in various weather conditions.
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, and crouch for extended periods of time.
• Have visual acuity including close and distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.