Assistant Director

JOB TITLE: Assistant Director

REPORTS TO: School Director

WHO WE ARE:

Rabbi Steven Foster Early Learning Center at Temple Emanuel inspires children to reach their greatest potential every day. It strives to develop a positive sense of Jewish identity by incorporating Jewish values, rituals, and traditions in the classroom and in our outdoor spaces. We nurture each child’s innate sense of wonder and curiosity by providing them a safe, inviting place to learn and explore. Through a play-based, emergent, and developmentally appropriate curriculum, children ages 12 months through Kindergarten are encouraged to discover the world around them through a loving and responsive environment. At the center of this intimate setting is a dedicated professional staff of more than forty educators. This wonderful team works hard and in collaboration to provide a joyful environment, in which children feel comfortable and their parents feel confident that they will receive exceptional, personal, and loving care.

Our approach to early childhood education is informed by progressive educational practices, primarily Judaic values, the Reggio Emilia approach, Social/Emotional Intelligence programs and Anti-Bias Education, with an emphasis on the outdoors. These methods guide and inspire us to maintain a high level of respect for each child as we honor their uniquely individual experience here at our school.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Assistant Director will work in collaboration with the School Director to inspire, lead, and implement a school structure which supports high-quality learning for our students, families, and educators. They will provide daily oversight of the program with particular attention to staff schedules, staff support and observations. They are responsible for Colorado state licensing guidelines and Colorado Shines regarding educators and keeping staff files up to date. The Assistant Director will ensure that our Jewish traditions, ideas, and values are seamlessly integrated into everyday experiences and lead in a reflective manner that demonstrates the core values and vision of the school.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Professional Development of Self and Others

• In collaboration with School Director plans and implements: educator orientation week, educator professional development days, and twice a week educator emails
• Identify areas for own professional growth and engage in opportunities that expands knowledge and expertise
• Support educators with their understanding of ‘Reggio Emilia’
• Support educators with the set-up of their classrooms, paying close attention to licensing requirements and keeping true the vision of the school
• Develop and maintain a personal professional development plan to ensure continuous quality improvement
• Attend all required meetings and trainings for Rabbi Steven Foster ELC
• Attend Efshar meetings with School Director
• Understand and support the vision and mission of Rabbi Steven Foster ELC at Temple Emanuel

Supervision/Management of Educators

• This individual assumes all Director responsibilities and duties in the absence of the School Director
• Regularly visits classrooms to ensure compliance with licensing requirements and school standards.
• Create and provide training to support improved understanding as needed
• Work in partnership with the School Director and administrative team to provide consistent feedback to educators, as well as evaluate, set goals and document performance
• Ensure that all performance documentation takes place in a timely and accurate manner and is kept in personnel files
• Leverage strengths of others to develop an effective team
• Coordinate daily schedules of educators and substitutes
• Place educators for all classrooms and programs in accordance with state ratios
• Understands and assists staff members with developmentally appropriate practice in Early Childhood Education
• Lead and inspire staff to accomplish the goals of the school. Manage a growth mindset culture in the acquisition of those goals
• In collaboration with the School Director, engages in ongoing reflection, assessment and fine-tuning of the school
• Provide hands-on assistance to staff facing behavioral or academic challenges with individual students.
• Support staff in creating individualized education plans for students with behavioral or academic challenges. Schedules follow up meetings and takes part in any conversation with families
• Support staff with communication to families
• Work with the administrative team to establish classroom policies and hold educators accountable for meeting performance expectations
• Coordinate programs and activities related to recruitment and retention of educators
• Assumes the role of Summer Camp Director and take responsibility for the summer proceedings

Licensing

• Responsible for leading the school in the Colorado Shines rating process.
• Support staff in positive Colorado Shine rating experience reflective of core values of school
• Ensure 100% compliance in all areas to meet State of Colorado Childcare licensing requirements
• Work with educators and administrative team to ensure a complete understanding of all licensing regulations
• Complete licensing reports to submit to the State Licensing Consultant
• Schedule annual and bi-annual training as required to meet licensing requirements
• Maintain staff files per state licensing rules and regulations, ensuring they are all up to date and recorded accordingly on spreadsheets
• Provide support and oversight for staff PDIS accounts and related training and credentials
• Manage new hire processes including fingerprint and background screening processes, payroll paperwork, and onboarding/hands on training
• In collaboration with the administrative team conducts building and safety tour for all new employees

Administrative Responsibilities

• Responsible for recruitment, interviewing, hiring, orientation, and professional development of educators
• Provides all relevant paperwork, handbooks, and paperwork when hiring new employees
• Schedules 30, 60, and 90 day check-ins with all new employees and documents meetings
• Work in partnership with the School Director and administrative team to keep up to date staff and family handbook
• Responsible for managing and recording all sick and vacation requests of educators and ensuring compliance with designated policies in this area
• Utilize the support of the HR Department when necessary
• Conduct reference checks
• Manage expenses and receipts for reimbursements
• Supervise the process of shopping, ordering and ensuring that educators and the school have all necessary materials
• Maintain confidentiality of all children, families, and staff
• Respond in a professional manner to co-workers and families

Collaboration

• Communicate effectively with team members and engage in collaborative conversations that advance the vision of the school
• Work in partnership with the Director of Admissions and Family Engagement in making classroom educator placements
• Work in partnership with the School Director to discuss and plan educator placements throughout the year
• Keep the School Director informed of any necessary information regarding the care and safety of children

Other Responsibilities

• Greet families/care-givers warmly and respond promptly to their requests
• Support parents with issues regarding program management, student and educator concerns
• Attend all parent committee meetings and events
• Substitute in classrooms and relieve teachers as needed
• Represent the school and congregation in the community and build relationships with other Jewish community leaders
• Represent Rabbi Steven Foster ELC at community events
• Demonstrate a positive attitude and work towards the possibilities and potential that exists
  within individuals and situations
• Coordinate necessary meetings and conversations among and between parents and teachers to ensure open and direct communication
• Respond to staff and parent phone calls and emails in a timely manner
• Creates bulletin and family newsletters with Director of Admissions and Family Engagement
• Assist in all aspects of the school to ensure the continued success of Rabbi Steven Foster ELC
• Other responsibilities as needed or assigned by the School Director

Qualifications

• State of Colorado Director qualified for a Large Center Preschool
• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, or similar field, Master’s preferred
• Minimum of three years experience in a leadership capacity, supervisory preferred
• Knowledge of Colorado State Licensing rules and regulations and Colorado Shines

To apply please send a cover letter and resume by May 26, 2023 to Laura Krautheim, School Director of Rabbi Steven Foster ELC at Temple Emanuel at krautheim@emanueldenver.org

Salary Range: $55,000-$60,000 commensurate with experience.