Director of the Early Learning Center

Rabbi Steven Foster Early Learning Center at Temple EmanuelDenver, COStart Date: September 2, 2024Description, Responsibilities, & Duties

POSITION SUMMARY:Our ideal Rabbi Steven Foster ELC Director candidate has worked in and led progressive early childhood programs. They are self-motivated and detail oriented and appreciate the impact of a diverse team. They themselves are eager to grow and learn – receiving regular supervision and mentoring. While never compromising our safety and licensing standards, they are willing to experiment.The Director of the Early Learning Center leads, inspires, and implements an Early Learning Center structure which supports and elevates high-quality learning for students, families, and educators. They are responsible for the overall daily operations, management, and strategic direction of Rabbi Steven Foster ELC at Temple Emanuel. The Director of the Early Learning Center will ensure adherence to organizational policies, mission, and vision while overseeing staff, financial management, and public relations. They 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 Early Learning Center.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership● Inspire, lead, and implement an Early Learning Center structure to support a high-quality early learning environment● Ensure an environment of reflective practices and processes● Think systematically about the unique parts of the Early Learning Center in relations of others to the whole, seeing the connections and maximizing opportunities● Leverage strengths of others to develop an effective team● Partner with lay and professional leadership to advance the vision of the Early Learning Center● Create a strategic plan in collaboration with your supervisor towards engagement of all Families with young children in the Temple and ELC communityRelationship Building● Demonstrate a positive attitude and imagine 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● Uphold Jewish values in all interactions including welcoming people into the ELC community, accepting, and appreciating the inherent diversity among all community members● In collaboration with the Director of Admissions and Family Engagement provide tours to expectant parents, representing the vision and uniqueness of the Early Learning Center● Cultivate a culture of shared responsibility and partnership to advance the vision of the Early Learning Center and Temple Emanuel● Responding to staff and parent phone calls and emails in a timely manner● Collaborate with other Directors and early childhood leaders locally and country-wideShared Leadership● Involve ELC administrative leadership team and educators in the design and implementation of important decisions and policies● Proactively identify areas for problem-solving with educators and families and together developing individualized plans to respond● Work in partnership with educators and families to develop a culture of inquiry and dialogue● Develop a shared responsibility for ensuring that Jewish culture, traditions, and values are seamlessly woven into everyday experiences in and out of the classroom● Develop a reliable intake process for families to ensure the expectations can be met on both sidesPedagogy● Cultivate an atmosphere of reciprocal respect and support for educators at the ELC● Mentor, support and collaborate with educational staff to continually deepen their thinking about teaching and learning and their ability to construct meaningful and responsive learning experiences with the children● Ensure an environment that is built upon a strong image of children, families, and educators with a view towards all individuals as B’Tzelem Elohim – as having their own unique spark and possessing great capability and potentialProfessional Development of Self and Others● Identify areas for own professional growth and engage in opportunities that expands knowledge and expertise● Ensure that all members of the ELC community have the opportunities and resources necessary for the successful execution of their jobs● Welcome new ideas, keeping supervisor well informed, taking initiative to plan, and following through with direction and corrective action● Work in partnership with the ELC Administrative team to regularly evaluate and document teachers’ performanceLay Leadership Development● Understanding and appreciating the importance and roles of various stakeholder groups including the Parent Teacher Organization and lay leadership team to support the overall vision and needs of Early Learning Center● Support a collaborative and dynamic partnership that supports Jewish life and learning initiatives in the Early Learning Center● Ensure that a new family welcome program continues to be a part of the Early Learning Center year roundCommunication, Organization and Dependability● Use verbal and written communication to share ideas, articulate values and advance the vision of the ELC and Temple Emanuel● Clearly and effectively present ideas and information and inform appropriate constituencies regarding pertinent issues and changes● Ensure that weekly parent message is written, sent and reflects the core values of the Early Learning Center, as well as communicates substantive and meaningful information● Be available to the families, especially during Early Learning Center hours, to discuss any child related issue● Set and achieve priorities, efficiently using time, and accurately, thoroughly, and consistently meeting deadlinesFinancial and Business Management● Responsible for overall budget, including writing, monitoring, and meeting expectations● Maintain the ELC budget and projections in collaboration with the Executive Director● Responsible for reporting and inputting payroll of ELC employees bi-weekly● Supervise and monitor proper allocation of expenses● Work with Temple Emanuel Office to ensure that proper billing and collection occurs● Oversee that terms of ELC parent contracts are consistently upheld● Work with Temple Emanuel Development Professional to identify potential grants and provide necessary information for applications and reporting● Work with lay leadership to meet fundraising goalsJewish Early Childhood Community Responsibilities and Other Responsibilities● Partner and collaborate with EFSHAR (A resource of professional development, coaching and initiatives for Jewish ELC’s in Denver)● Serve as an advocate and spokesperson for the Early Learning Center and all stakeholders● Regularly monitor enrollment to determine whether added recruitment efforts are necessary● Represent ELC at community events● Attend all Temple Emanuel staff meetings and other meetings as needed● Attend and present at Board of Trustees meetings that pertain to Rabbi Steven Foster ELC● Other responsibilities as needed or assignedMinimum Qualifications/Requirements

Job Qualifications• Large center directors must have a director qualifications letter issued by the Department of Early Childhood or a current early childhood professional credential level III or higher in version 3.0 as determined by the Department of Early Childhood• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following; Child Development, Child Psychology, Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Educational Leadership and Administration• Previous teaching experience• Previous leadership experience• Knowledge and experience maintaining a large budget• Maintains working knowledge of general rules for child-care facilities and rules regulating large child-care centers in Colorado• Strong oral and written communication skills• Ability to communicate effectively with participants of the program, parents, co-workers and the public• Must possess excellent organizational, planning, and time management skills• Must possess the ability to react quickly in emergencies and make decisions based on sound judgement• Must maintain a professional and positive attitude, exercise appropriate conflict resolution techniques, and exhibit patience when dealing with challenging situations• Efficiently and effectively use various software application systems, products, and NetworksThis job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. We’ll still consider applications even if you don’t meet every single one of the requirements. Rabbi Steven Foster ELC at Temple Emanuel respects and values the individuality that every employee brings. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, who share our Jewish values, our commitment to inclusion, and who will help us on our journey to continue to elevate our organization and the field of early childhood education.Salary & Benefits

Salary: $75,000-$95,000 (dependent on qualifications and experience)Benefit Eligible Benefits Package Includes: Retirement, Health, Vision, Dental, Life Insurance, AD&D, Discounted Child Tuition, PTO, Sick Leave, Ongoing Professional Development, Mental Health Days,Application Procedures

To apply send: A cover letter, resume, and 3 references to Connie Suson at suson@emanueldenver.orgProgram Description

JOB TITLE: Director of the Early Learning CenterREPORTS TO: Executive DirectorWHO WE ARE:Temple Emanuel is a large reform Congregation blessed with a range of educational offerings through every stage of life. Our 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 with a safe, inviting place to learn and explore. Through a play-based, emergent, and developmentally appropriate curriculum, children aged 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 Early Learning Center.Contact Info

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