Temple Sinai ECC embraces a philosophy of inquiry and play-based learning. Developing emotionally responsive relationships with children, families, and colleagues, and creating an engaging, dynamic classroom environment, the ECC Teacher inspires social-emotional growth, joy in learning, Jewish identity, and builds a foundation for academic readiness. Children are empowered to become caring friends, collaborators, problem solvers, and critical thinkers.
POSITION SUMMARY: Model behaviors that exemplify a program and environment that safely encourages discovery, cultivates a love of learning and encourages children’s social, emotional, physical and cognitive development so they establish a strong foundation for tomorrow. Execute well planned, developmentally appropriate curriculum that teaches children to be confident experimenters and creative problem solvers. Maintain the safety and supervision of children at all times while ensuring positive behavior guidance. Welcome and honor the diverse abilities and backgrounds of everyone in the Temple Sinai ECC community.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Education: Master’s or bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood or Child Development preferred. Must meet state requirements for education. Additional requirements may apply.
• Experience: Must meet state requirements for teaching experience. Two years of professional teaching experience is preferred.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This job operates in an early childhood educational environment.
SUPERVISION
ECC Teacher is supervised by the ECC Director. The ECC Director will evaluate the performance of the ECC Teacher in an annual written review.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Leadership
• Provide appropriate coaching and direction to less experienced teachers.
• Demonstrate exemplary engagement and interactions with children, parents/guardians and colleagues.
• Demonstrate approachability and foster respect, open communication collaboration with and among the teaching team.
• Lead the teaching team in developing classroom goals, routines and practices that maintain a high-quality program that supports all learning domains.
• Make certain that daily tasks and responsibilities are appropriately shared and completed.
Health and Safety of Children
• Be knowledgeable of and follow all NYS OCFS and Temple Sinai ECC regulations and procedures regarding health, safety and supervision.
• Know the number of children in your care at all times, maintaining accurate attendance tracking throughout the day.
• Ensure the safety and supervision by sight and sound at all times, taking into account each child’s age, cognitive, emotional, social and physical development.
• Maintain nutritional guidelines for healthy meals and snacks.
• Be knowledgeable of the Illness Policy, follow and respond accordingly.
• Maintain a safe, clean and organized classroom.
Child Interactions/Positive Guidance
• Provide feedback, guidance and support to help all team members implement positive guidance practices.
• Be available and respond promptly and appropriately to children’s needs.
• Use positive guidance approaches when responding to children to help children behave in responsible ways.
• Help children to understand what is expected of them and limit expectations to what is realistic for each child’s developmental level.
• Engage in frequent conversations with children at their level. Ask open ended questions and look for opportunities to extend their learning.
Program Implementation/Classroom Environment:
• Implement inquiry-based curriculum to support children’s development within all learning domains.
• Create daily classroom schedules that provide a complement of activities while maintaining flexibility to incorporate children’s emerging interests.
• Celebrate Judaism by utilizing materials and creating experiences that reflect Jewish rituals, values and culture.
• Intentionally arrange and provide developmentally appropriate spaces for children to engage in science, math, language, music/ movement, art, construction, dramatic play and sensory activities.
• Keep environment organized, clutter-free and arranged for both individual and small group learning with materials that invite children to explore.
• Document daily experiences, learning and milestones/accomplishments using daily notes, display boards and child portfolios.
Family Connection
• Welcome all families and visitors with a friendly and professional demeanor.
• Listen intently to understand when parents/guardians express comments or concerns.
• Respond thoughtfully, respectfully and with sensitivity.
• Learn about what is important to families, honor that with their children and share knowledge to create a sense of community of trust and connection.
Teamwork and Collaboration
• Maintain consistent attendance and report to work on time to provide continuity of care for children.
• Demonstrate scheduling flexibility to support program needs.
• Cultivate positive relationships with colleagues through respectful communication and working together to create a collaborative environment.
• Demonstrate initiative and support the development of the teaching team to provide safe and joyful classroom experiences.
• Proactively work to resolve issues and concerns. Take initiative and identify opportunities to help meet the needs of children, the teaching team and improve the dynamic of the classroom.
Professionalism
• Be a trusted partner. Protect confidential information relating to children, families and colleagues.
• Give feedback thoughtfully, respectfully and with positive intent.
• Receive feedback with an openness to change and professional growth.
• Champion and contribute to the success of new initiatives.
• Actively engage in ongoing professional development. Share learnings with colleagues.
• Attend and actively participate in mandatory trainings, meetings and events.
COMPETENCIES
• Ethical Conduct
• Creativity
• Organizational Skills
• Communication Proficiency
• Customer Focus
• Composure
• Time Management
• Collaboration Skills
• Personal Effectiveness/Credibility
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Follow all OCFS and ECC guidelines regarding employee medical, immunizations and required health and safety training and comply with all state regulations.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
• Must demonstrate full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit, and otherwise fully participate in activities.
• Remain alert and demonstrate an appropriate level of energy to perform the job requirements including responding immediately and appropriately to an emergency or unexpected situation.
• Ability to frequently lift, move, or hold children with ranging from 10 to 40 pounds. Occasionally lift, move, or hold weight more than 40 pounds.
OTHER DUTIES
Please note that this description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
ABOUT TEMPLE SINAI OF ROSLYN
Temple Sinai of Roslyn, a 501(c)(3) religious organization, is the largest Reform synagogue on Long Island. It is a vibrant community which draws members from across the county. It is a fast paced, mission-driven workplace, and welcomes employees who strive for excellence. Temple Sinai employs full-time and part-time staff who support the values and principles of the synagogue. See mysinai.org for information about our clergy and the congregation.
Temple Sinai of Roslyn is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Temple Sinai is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.