Director of Early Childhood Center

Gottesman RTW Academy, a vibrant Jewish Community Day school, is looking for an enthusiastic and inspiring Director for our Early Childhood Program.

For the past 56 years, Gottesman RTW Academy (GRTWA), located in Randolph NJ, on a 22-acre campus with a state-of-the-art modern facility, has been an anchor of Jewish life and learning for the Morris County community.  GRTWA, accredited by the NJ Association of Independent Schools, demands the highest standards of academic excellence, while instilling values and building character through a challenging integrated general and Judaic studies curriculum. GRTWA Serves children pre-school through eighth grade. Families from all Jewish denominations and observance levels are welcome. Gottesman RTW Academy is a vibrant, tight knit dynamic community with 135 current families and more than 600 alumni families, many of which continue to be involved in the school.

The Lillie Brandt Early Childhood Center (ECC) offers infant care, Baby fun and a robust program for children 12 months - 4 years old, in a nurturing and stimulating environment that concentrates on developing social, emotional, and academic skills and a knowledge of Jewish holidays and traditions. Our Junior Kindergarten program for 4-year-olds offers students constructive learning opportunities that promote critical scholastic skills, positive attitudes, and academic success. Children benefit from the enriched curriculum and methodologies within the framework of our play-oriented program. Jewish traditions, values, Hebrew language immersion and holidays are celebrated and woven into the fabric of the school.  SMARTBoards are in all ECC classrooms for the integration of technology.  The ECC offers aftercare and afterschool activities. The aftercare program is overseen by the ECC Director.

The Director of the Lillie Brandt ECC is an integral member of the school’s administration team. As one of the first points of contact for young families in the community, the Director must be a passionate and innovative Jewish educator. While focusing on the children, collaborating with teachers and parents, and creating programming and curriculum, the Director must be able to create a vision for the ECC and convey it to the surrounding Greater MetroWest Jewish community. Roles and responsibilities include:

• Report to Head of School
• Nurture the Jewish spiritual and emotional growth of children
• Cultivate a culture of support within the ECC for staff, families and children
• Maintain 21^st century learning consistent with the mission, vision and values of the school
• Partner with the staff to infuse Jewish values, holidays, language immersion and cultural experiences into the program.
• Strategically plan and execute, with the Outreach Coordinator, the recruitment and retention of studentsand help facilitate transition of JK students to Kindergarten
• Establish and manage curriculum and overall educational philosophy
• Support tours and interviews with prospective parents and assessing students.
• Manage day to day operations of ECC
• Oversee the process of hiring, training, supervising and evaluating staff
• Community outreach, building and engagement with the Outreach Coordinator
• Oversee after-care program
• Director of Summer program, Camp Neshama
• Organization of ECC programs: open house visits, parent programs, holiday programs and special programming
• Maintain consistent communication between staff and parents, administration, and Board of Trustees
• Participate in Professional Development and keep up to date on early childhood research and trends
• Promote a positive and collaborative environment within the ECC.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in child development or early childhood education
• Master’s degree in child development or early childhood education
• Experience in Jewish early childhood education (3 years minimum)
• Supervisory experience in a similar position
• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to communicate with parents, children, staff and leadership in a professional manner
• Strong Judaic background