Inspired by the work we do every day, the JCC is an organization centered on Jewish values and focused on creating meaningful experiences and opportunities to enrich, connect, and positively impact our community.

We pride ourselves on our inclusive and welcoming workplace and celebrate the diversity of our employees.

We value all members of our team in a supportive environment in which everyone is treated with appreciation and respect and positioned to do their best work every day.

SUMMARY:

The Assistant Director of Preschool (Ages 2–5) at the Stoler Early Learning Center is a full-time leadership role responsible for the daily oversight and educational quality of the preschool program. In close partnership with the Senior Director and the Assistant Director of Infant & Toddler, this role provides instructional leadership, staff supervision, and curriculum oversight grounded in developmentally appropriate practice and best practices in early childhood education.

The Assistant Director supports teachers through coaching, onboarding, and professional growth, ensuring that curriculum, classroom environments, and teaching practices foster children’s curiosity, creativity, independence, and social-emotional development. This role is deeply committed to creating a warm, inclusive, and joyful learning community rooted in Jewish values, while ensuring alignment with the mission, vision, and goals of J Early Childhood and compliance with licensing and accreditation standards.

WHO YOU ARE:

• Bachelor’s degree in one of the following or related fields preferred: Early Childhood Education, Curriculum Development, Special Education, Psychology, Family Studies, or related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience working with children ages 2-5, in an educational or similar environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice (DAP), play-based and child-centered curriculum, and early childhood pedagogy.
• Strong understanding of child development, classroom management, and social-emotional learning.
• Experience with Jewish early childhood education, including integrating Jewish values, traditions, culture, and holidays into curriculum (or a strong willingness to learn).
• Familiarity with Reggio-inspired, constructivist, or inquiry-based approaches.
• Prior experience in a leadership, supervisory, or instructional coaching role (e.g., Pedagogista/Curriculum Coordinator, Assistant Director).
• Experience supporting teachers through coaching, feedback, and professional development.
• Knowledge of state licensing regulations and early childhood compliance requirements (MSDE preferred).
• Experience supporting inclusion, diverse learners, and collaboration with specialists, families, and outside agencies.
• Strong communication, organization, and interpersonal skills.
• Possess strong organizational skills with the ability to muti-task and prioritize multiple projects and initiatives.
• Proficiency with technology includes computers, i-Pads, our Parent Portal (Playground App), Microsoft Office Suite (Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Zoom, and other apps and platforms.
• Must be CPR and First Aid certified or have the ability to obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certification within three months of employment. Medical administration certification is also required for all school leadership.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Program Administration

• Provide instructional leadership for the preschool program (ages 2–5), ensuring curriculum and teaching practices are developmentally appropriate, play-based, inclusive, and responsive to individual children’s needs.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director and Assistant Director of Infant & Toddler to design, implement, and continuously refine a curriculum grounded in best practices in early childhood education and infused with Jewish values, traditions, and holidays.
• Coach educators in curriculum planning, implementation, observation, and assessment to ensure alignment with program philosophy.
• Support teachers in planning and implementing engaging learning experiences that promote children’s cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and creative development.
• Partner with the Senior Director and leadership team to manage daily preschool operations, including scheduling, classroom coverage, transitions, routines, and parent communication.
• Work collaboratively with the ELC leadership team and teachers to ensure classrooms and shared spaces are organized, welcoming, and reflective of program values.
• Support in an opening or closing the school as needed (opening by 7:30am; closing at 5:30pm or when the last child is picked up).

Staff Supervision, Coaching & Professional Growth

• Support recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention of preschool staff in collaboration with the Human Resources, Marketing, and the ELC leadership team.
• Conduct phone screenings, first-round interviews, and coordinate second-round interviews with the Senior Director as needed.
• Lead onboarding for new staff, including New Hire Orientation, training on licensing requirements and ELC policies and procedures, and ongoing check-ins to support successful integration into the program and culture.
• Supervise, mentor, and support preschool lead teachers, assistant teachers, and floaters.
• Conduct ongoing and annual performance evaluations and maintain documentation to support accountability and professional growth.
• Facilitate staff meetings (weekly age level chavruta), monthly staff meetings and professional development opportunities, and teacher planning sessions (non-student contact time).
• Model best practices in developmentally appropriate practice, classroom management, behavioral support, and child-centered learning.
• Support teaching teams in observing and documenting children’s development using consistent tools and templates.
• Stay current with research and trends in early childhood education and curate professional resources (books, articles, webinars, trainings) to support staff learning.

Child Development & Family Partnership

• Ensure classroom environments support children’s social-emotional development, independence, inclusion, and sense of belonging.
• Partner with teachers and the Director of Inclusion and Abilities to support children with diverse learning styles, developmental needs, and behavioral challenges, collaborating with families and outside specialists as appropriate.
• Collaborate with families to foster strong, trusting relationships and encourage meaningful family engagement.
• Support teachers in family conferences (Fall Check In Calls and annual parent teacher conferences) and ongoing communication related to children’s development and classroom experiences.
• Maintain timely, responsive, and supportive communication with families of enrolled children.

Community Engagement & Enrollment Support

• Represent the preschool at community events, outreach initiatives, and networking opportunities to promote enrollment and program visibility.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, community partners, and outside agencies to strengthen family engagement and support enrollment efforts.

Leadership, Compliance & Professional Responsibilities

• Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of children at all times.
• Support compliance with MSDE licensing regulations, accreditation standards, and internal policies and procedures.
• Assist with documentation, recordkeeping, inspections, evaluations, and program reviews.
• Maintain professionalism, confidentiality, empathy, and respect in all interactions with children, families, and staff.
• Promote equitable, fair, and consistent treatment of all children, families, and staff.
• Maintain a calm, supportive presence and assist staff and families through challenging situations.
• Participate in required trainings, professional development, and continuing education to meet licensing and organizational requirements.

PHYSICAL SKILLS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment is typically loud and fast paced. This position requires high energy and positive interactions with staff, parents, members, other agency employees, community leaders, and outside partners, vendors, and others.

The role involves frequent use of a phone and computer, as well as physical activities such as reaching, stooping, kneeling, and crouching. The employee must have the ability to lift, carry, and/or move children or other objects at up to 50 pounds and engage with children by sitting on the floor with them.

This role requires spending extended periods of time outdoors, on your feet each day in a variety of weather conditions. Must have the ability to move across the campus to address emergency situations.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Salary (or Salary Range): $58,000 - $62,000

Benefit & Perks: The JCC offers a comprehensive benefits package including generous time off, paid holidays, health, dental and vision insurance, 401(k) employer match, FSA/HSA options, life insurance, long term disability, complimentary membership to the Jewish Community Center, discounts on programs including preschool and summer camp, and wellbeing programming.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and incumbent will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by supervisor or other management, as required. The JCC reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the needs arise. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

The Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. In keeping with our Jewish values, we are dedicated to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, marital status, citizenship, veteran's status, physical or mental disability that does not prohibit the performance of essential job functions (with or without reasonable accommodation) or any other basis protected by federal, or applicable, state or local law. We welcome everyone interested in our mission to join us. If you require accommodation, please contact us and we will make every effort to meet your needs.