Kindergarten Teacher

This position is for the 2024-2025 School Year

Job Summary

The Kindergarten program at Solomon Schechter Day School is a bridge between preschool and 1st grade. Kindergarten teachers possess Early Childhood background and knowledge, as well as an understanding of how to nurture student’s entry into formal education. They understand child development, and are comfortable working with families as the first face they will encounter in their Schechter educational experience. The kindergarten teacher develops effective rapport with students and their families, motivates students and develops their skills, and meets students’ needs where they are academically, socially, and behaviorally all while creating a joyful environment and experience. They also understand the school’s Mission which states: 

“At Solomon Schechter Day School of Metropolitan Chicago, we ignite our students’ Jewish souls, educate them to their highest potential, and empower them to use their knowledge, skills, and creativity to enrich our world. “

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Duties of this job include, but are not limited to:

1. Creates and develops a safe nurturing environment for students to grow and develop, with a focus on social-emotional development and age appropriate academics. 
2. Teaches reading, language arts, social studies, mathematics and science to students in a classroom, utilizing the course of study adopted by the Board of Directors, and other appropriate learning activities.
3. Develops lesson plans and instructional materials and provides individualized and small group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of each student.
4. Uses a variety of instructional strategies, such as exploration, play, group discussion, games, songs, visuals, and hand-on experiences. 
5. Works collaboratively with the Kindergarten assistant teacher to create a classroom with strong classroom management, routines, and clear expectations. 
6. Takes formative and summative data which evaluates students’ academic and social growth, keeps appropriate records, and prepares progress reports.
7. Communicates with parents through conferences and other means to discuss students’ progress and interpret the school program.
8. Identifies student needs and cooperates with other professional staff members in assessing and helping students grow and develop in all areas.
9. Thinks critically and creatively about the room set-up and bulletin board displays to demonstrate learning and optimize the learning environment. 
10. Maintains professional competence through in-service and professional growth activities.
11. Collaborates with grade-level colleagues about curriculum and educational programming.
12. Selects and requisitions books and instructional aids; maintains required inventory records.
13. Supervises students in out-of-classroom activities during the school day.
14. Participates in curriculum development programs as required.
15. Demonstrates a commitment to best practice in all dimensions of effective teaching as defined by the Thoughtful Classroom framework, including: organization, rules and routines; positive relationships; engagement and enjoyment; a culture of thinking and learning; preparing students for new learning; presenting new learning; deepening and reinforcing learning; applying learning; and reflecting on and celebrating learning.
16. Qualification Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree of related subject from accredited university
2. Illinois teaching certificate.
3. Experience is preferred but not necessary for hiring.

Faculty values that drive our work together:

• Jewish Values and Torah
• Professionalism
• Optimism
• Collaboration
• Respect
• Open Communication
• Innovation and Creativity
• Life-Long Learning

Reports To: K-6 Principal 

Salary is commensurate with experience and education.