Early Learning Center Certified Pre-K Teacher, Gilson - JCC Greater Boston

Gilson Early Learning in Sharon, MA, is on the lookout for a passionate and experienced Preschool Teacher to become a vital part of our team at the Gilson Early Learning Center. This role offers you the chance to engage with young children in a loving and supportive atmosphere. As a Preschool Teacher at Gilson Early Learning Center, JCC Greater Boston, you will be instrumental in shaping the educational journeys and social-emotional growth of our students. You'll collaborate with a dedicated team of enthusiastic educators and have the opportunity to develop captivating and age-appropriate lesson plans that ignite curiosity and inspire our young learners.

Eligible for $1,000 sign-on bonus

This posting is for a full-time, salaried Preschool Teacher position. The starting salary is $47,940-$53,040. The salary offered will ultimately be determined by the scope of the position, the candidate’s relevant experience, and internal equity.

Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• To collaborate regularly with co-teacher(s), colleagues, and the director to develop a high-quality program based on observations that support each child's intellectual, social/emotional, moral, and physical development.
• Health, safety and security of all children
• Implementation of a developmentally appropriate curriculum
• Communication and documentation of children’s interactions and experiences
• Providing a positive, nurturing environment
• Observation, play-based assessment, and written evaluations of all children using COR Advantage
• Maintain at all times the highest level of professionalism and confidentiality regarding children and families
• Adhere to all EEC regulations and guidelines

Children:

• To help each child develop a positive self-image
• To facilitate the child’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth and development
• To encourage the child’s independence, leading to a sense of competency
• To respect the child’s right to be an individual.
• To assist child’s awareness of their own needs and the rights of others
• To facilitate each child in the verbalization of feelings and emotions

Teaching:

• To provide a positive climate for learning, growth and development
• To comply with MA EEC Guidelines/Frameworks
• To offer a wide variety of activities, materials, and experiences that encourage children to explore and learn through play
• To maintain an aesthetically pleasing, organized classroom environment to promote the health and safety of each child

• To set consistent limits using positive language and provide emotional safety for each child
• To work with and incorporate suggestions from Ledgewood Developmental Specialist
• To assess the developmental stages of children and maintain records, including writing children’s progress reports using COR Advantage
• To document children’s learning as an instructional/curriculum tool through portfolio, observational checklist, play-based assessment, digital photography/iPad,  journals, or other methods as determined by your center director
• To review and update files of all children in your classroom, noting allergies or special traits pertinent to the maximization of the child’s potential
• To be familiar with and use computer, internet, and digital equipment for curriculum development, implementation, and related school activities
• To meet for supervisory direction as appropriate
• To attend all staff meetings and in-service training sessions
• To meet all EEC requirements for early education and care
• To participate with co-teacher(s) in regular planning to reflect on the program and to forecast future projects in the emergent curriculum.
• To support an emergent curriculum approach
• To utilize the environment as the third teacher in the room

Parents:

• Establish positive, interactive relationships with families through informal conversations, feedback, and conferences.
• To aid parent and child in the adjustment to school
• To inform parents about the developmental stages of young children and developmentally appropriate curriculum
• To participate in scheduled parent conferences several times a year
• To communicate daily with the parents of each child and maintain classroom newsletters
• To be professional at all times and embody the principles of good customer service in work with parents

Requirements

Education and Experience: B.A. in Early Childhood Education or a related field (e.g., elementary education, social work, psychology) or an A.A. in Early Childhood Education is preferred but not required. The minimum qualification/education required for this position is the EEC teacher certification.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted at the JCC’s discretion to meet minimum criteria.

Skills and Abilities:

• Must be EEC certified or willing to become certified immediately
• Knowledge and familiarity with the needs of families with young children, with a creative ability to translate ideas, feedback, and data into innovative and meaningful experiences that meet the needs of families.
• Awareness of best practices relating to a strong image of a child as a competent and capable learner. 
• Good classroom management skills, oral and written language skills, and excellent communication skills with parents, children, and colleagues
• Must be welcoming and warm toward children and enjoy working with young children and their families.
• Must be able to multi-task and juggle competing priorities while keeping child safety at the forefront at all times.
• Must be interested in continuing professional development and view yourself as a lifelong learner.
• Works well independently and with others, building/sustaining collaborative working relationships
• Ability to build strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders

Physical Requirements:  Able to work in person. Requires daily outside playground duties. Ability to climb stairs or hill to outside space for a variety of activities. Must be able to climb stairs with children between floors or in an emergency. Ability to continually bend, kneel and reach. Lift and carry young children, 20-30 pounds, on a regular basis. Frequently stoop or squat to be at child’s eye level. Frequently sits on floor or in very small chairs.

Must work during training week (usually last week of August each year) and must coordinate with ELC Center Director to schedule vacation periods. Usually no vacation can be taken in September, and there may be other periods when time off is not granted due to school needs.

ADA Statement:  Individuals must possess these criteria for knowledge, skills and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation and using some other combination of skills and abilities.

Organization Information

Since opening its doors in 1983, JCC Greater Boston has been committed to its mission of creating a vibrant, inclusive, and diverse community by nurturing meaningful and lasting relationships. Through our network of early learning centers, day camps, regional teen and family programs, health and wellness offerings, and adult arts and ideas classes, JCC Greater Boston provides highly valued connections, learning, and experiences for the Jewish community and friends.

JCC Greater Boston staff enjoy working in an innovative, friendly, and welcoming environment where their talents and contributions are appreciated. In our recent employee survey, staff rated their direct management and organizational alignment experiences close to 90% positive. If you are interested in upgrading your working experience and/or having a better work-life balance, we encourage you to explore becoming part of the JCC team!

The JCC is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. We welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston's core values: Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation, which we hope resonate with all.

To learn more about what makes JCC Greater Boston a wonderful place to work, please visit our careers page at https://www.bostonjcc.org/careers/

JCC Greater Boston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or disability. In a continuing effort to maintain and enrich a diverse environment, we actively encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented groups.

Benefits

In addition to a rewarding career where you help shape children’s futures, the JCC Greater Boston provides competitive exempt compensation packages for full-time salaried toddler teachers. Benefits include:

• Once a new educator has joined our team and community for 6 months, he/she/they will be eligible for the Signing Bonus of $1,000: $500 would be paid at 6 months and the other $500 after completion of the first year of employment
• Competitive salary
• Health insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Group life insurance
• Long term disability
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Support of a child development specialist
• Discounted child care at JCCGB Early Learning Centers and after-school program
• Discounted JCCGB camp tuition (50-100% off)
• Generous paid time off
• A free membership to the JCC Greater Boston facility in Newton – offering virtual and in-person programs including indoor swimming, many fitness classes, and workout facilities, as well as discounts to many JCCGB events, classes, outdoor pool, and more
• Engaging in professional development opportunities, including 7 development days per year
• Outstanding classroom environments, materials, and outdoor play and nature spaces

Benefits are subject to review and change by the Organization.