Who we are:
Congregation Beth Israel’s Mission:
Beneath our dome is a spiritual home, a place of community and friendship, a place to be inspired through prayer, a place for lifelong learning, and a place where every person makes a difference.
Congregation Beth Israel is proud to be a part of the Portland community since our founding in 1858. We are affiliated with the Reform Movement through the Union for Reform Judaism.
Congregation Beth Israel is the leading voice of Reform Judaism in Oregon.
About our school - The Jennie:
The Jennifer Barnum Luria Early Childhood Center establishes a high-caliber Reform Jewish early childhood program on the CBI Campus. This full day program, known as The Jennie, is open to children aged six weeks through pre-k.
Philosophy:
At the Jennie, it is our mission to provide the highest quality care to children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old, and their families. The Jennie is built on a foundation of inclusion – we are intentionally creating a diverse Kehillah, the Hebrew word for community, that celebrates all our children and their families. The Jennie provides an enriching environment interwoven with Jewish values, promoting a nurturing space for children to develop, and creating a work community where staff feel supported holistically. We value creativity, togetherness, and kindness towards our peers and the environment. We believe that children know themselves best and are ready to take in all the learning we can offer, and teachers act as guides along a child’s developmental journey. The Jennie staff understand that a child’s success is rooted in the success of their caregivers, and we invite families to be active participants in our community. This happens through volunteering in the classroom, parent education nights to learn about our educational approach and their child’s development, and through events that bring families and staff together.
Mission:
At the Jennie we are guided by a child-led, and play-based, philosophy. We utilize child observation and teacher reflection in order to shape curriculum that serves our children as individuals and the class as a whole. Teachers foster secure attachments through responsive caregiving, understanding that optimal learning and growth comes only when children feel safe and secure. Children build foundational academic and life skills through play and interacting with their environment. Art and creativity is a daily practice and the children have opportunities to create their own art, and explore external creations. We strive to bring together the best practices in many developmental and educational philosophies, including the teachings of Maria Montessori, the principles of RIE - developed by Magda Gerber, and the warm nurturing environments found in Waldorf and Reggio Emilia programs.
Judaism has a longstanding commitment to excellent education and to providing an environment where children’s natural desire to learn is fostered. The Jennie empowers children from the youngest ages to ask questions, explore their curiosities, and be advocates for their learning desires. We strive for beauty and peace through respect, art, kindness, and Kehillah, the Hebrew word for community. This collaboration allows children to feel nurtured, and engage with their inner curiosity and inspiration to learn, providing a foundation for a lifelong love of learning to grow.
About the Position:
Starting wage of $23-$26 per hour with 40 hours per week
We are looking to hire a Lead Preschool Teacher for our 3 – 5 year old room starting in June 2024. The room will have up to 10 children enrolled, and ratio is 10 children to 1 teacher. Our classrooms are brand new, you will have access to brand new materials and to an organization dedicated to creating the highest quality program. You will be in charge of classroom management, curriculum building, and guiding children through their learning process. The perfect candidate will have an ability to multi task, anticipate needs before they occur, and will have experience creating a classroom environment that focuses on secure attachments and positive relationships. You will be responsible for a monthly newsletter to parents about the happenings of the classroom, and you will be responsible for recording children’s activities and communicating directly with parents about their child’s day. We are looking for someone who is motivated, reliable, and warm with children and families. You will be joining a well-established community that is available to help support your success and offer professional development opportunities.
Daily tasks include, but are not limited to:
• Creating a healthy and consistent classroom routine
• Helping children use the bathroom
• Guiding children in activities of daily living, helping foster independence and self-confidence
• Preparing activities and play-based curriculum
• Helping children fall asleep if needed
• Attending to developmental needs such as music time, reading stories, exploration of classroom and materials
• Taking walks so children can experience the outdoors
• Assisting with drop-off and pick-up
• Being a main contact for parents to speak to about their child
• Recording special and fun moments to include in newsletters and other parent communications
• Keeping a record of developmental milestones to create a developmental profile to share at parent teacher conferences
• Support and direct the assistant and floating teachers, guiding them on quality teaching and positive child interactions
• Basic cleaning tasks such as sterilizing materials, washing dishes, and cleaning up after children
Essential/Required Qualifications:
• CPR/First Aid certified (we offer options to get this done through our organization)
• Food Handlers card (offered online)
• A minimum of an associate’s degree in early childhood education or related field
OR a state recognized credential such as a CDA working with children 3-5 years old
OR documentation of attaining at least an 8.5 in the Oregon Registry
OR at least one year documented experience in a certified childcare center working with preschoolers
• Direct experience working with children 3 -5 years old
• An ability to embrace and celebrate families and children from diverse backgrounds
• Professional demeanor and a dedication to being a team player
Welcomed but not required Qualifications:
• Experience training assistant teachers
• Familiarity with Judaism and Jewish traditions
• Experience with building a classroom and daily routines from scratch
• Working knowledge of child developmental milestones and needs
Additional Expectations:
• An enthusiasm to participate as a team and to work together with other teachers to create a quality program
• Be a respectful and reliable team member
• Punctuality and ability to maintain high attendance
• Professionalism and kindness towards parents and children
• Be able to follow all codes of conduct and behave in ways that promote children’s wellbeing and fosters community
This position requires physical movement such as standing for long periods of time, kneeling, squatting while carrying children, bending over, ability to get down and up off the floor with regularity, and to be able to lift up to 30 pounds.
Benefits:
Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision Insurance
Paid time off in addition to closures for all major federal holidays, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and one week break each for winter and summer.
Competitive salaries and paid-for professional development opportunities, including teacher planning days and outside courses
An environment committed to equity and inclusion that welcomes people of color, people who identify as LGBTQIA, people of all faiths and religious backgrounds, and all abilities.