Director of Judaic Studies & Hebrew

Director of Judaic Studies & Hebrew

Rockwern Academy, Cincinnati’s pluralistic Jewish day school, is looking for a Director of Judaic Studies & Hebrew to start July 1, 2023.   

Who are we? 

Rockwern Academy’s mission is to expand minds, celebrate Judaism, nurture community, and commit to building a better world.  An exceptional student-teacher ratio allows us to value each student as a true individual, discovering what gives them their inner spark.  Serving toddlers through sixth graders (and in some years, seventh and eighth graders too), we:

• Inspire a lifelong love of learning, as our experienced teachers prepare our students to thrive in top high schools.
• Create a more compassionate world by teaching values and ethics that last a lifetime.
• Build a solid sense of Jewish identity for our students.
• Nurture our powerful sense of community, fostering strong relationships between students of all ages, teachers, staff, and families. 
• Explore the power of technology to engage students, developing tools for critical thinking and problem solving.

Who are you? 

You understand best practices in education, and you use this knowledge to envision and implement innovative programs, curricula, and professional development.  You love and care for children and are energized by being around them.  You understand and value intentional pluralism.  You love Judaism and helping to create joyful Jewish experiences and meaningful Jewish learning opportunities for others.   You understand what it means to serve a diverse community and know that a cookie-cutter approach is not always best for everyone.  You can think big and help create transformational change, while also handling the small details.  

Qualified applicants will have successful teaching and administrative experience.  

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to [email protected].

OBJECTIVE

The Director of Judaic Studies & Hebrew is responsible for the curriculum and instruction in the Hebrew and Judaic Studies Department.  

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

The position reports to the Head of School and works closely with other members of the Leadership Team, especially the Principal.  

 RESPONSIBILITIES

Instructional Leadership: 

• Serve as the instructional leader for Hebrew and Judaics, ensuring that our academic program is effective, innovative, and meeting the needs of and challenging our students
• Stay abreast of current research related to curriculum and instruction and advise the Head of School on curriculum decisions in this department; ensure content area curriculum is appropriate for student grade/ability
• Review, evaluate, and recommend instructional materials and textbooks to the administration 
• Determine best ways to assess student progress in this department and execute that plan
• Envision the future needs of our students, the department, and the school by staying abreast of current educational research and trends, methodology, and technology
• In consultation with the Head of School, oversee the school’s tefillah program and holiday programming
• Play a key role in our ISACS accreditation process
• Communicate about our academic program for school newsletters, school website, grant reports, and other areas
• Play a key role in developing new programs for community members, such as adult learning, teen programs, and parent programs

Staff Supervision:

• Take responsibility for the teaching and learning in the department by supervising and evaluating Hebrew and Judaics teachers through ongoing classroom observations, regular meetings with teachers, and thorough and growthful evaluations
• Identify and implement appropriate professional development opportunities for the department 
• Partner with the Principal and Head of School on hiring, retaining, and assigning faculty
• Know the contributions of each member of the department both inside the classroom and in other areas of the school
• Meet with department members individually and as a group to provide ongoing support and encouragement 
• Encourage meaningful communication between department teachers and parents

Teaching: 

• Teach Hebrew/Judaic Studies classes as assigned. 

School Culture:

• Create and nurture a culture of support, respect, and collaboration among administration, faculty, students, and parents
• Participate meaningfully in the school community, e.g. attend sports games, student performances, and other school and community events
• Collaborate with others to plan school events like open houses, parent-teacher conferences, and other special events
• Engage parents proactively and be a resource to them about Hebrew/Judaics instruction 
• Help create a learning environment and school community that is intentionally pluralistic and welcoming to all
• Partner closely with Principal on student issues 
• Partner with Student Support team to determine how best to meet the needs of diverse learners in this department, especially for students with reading challenges
• Possess a clear educational vision and support the goals and values of Rockwern Academy
• Communicate effectively within the department, between departments, and between the department and administration 

Other duties, as assigned