B'nei Mitzvah Teacher
The Combined Jewish Philanthropies
Position Summary:
B’nei Mitzvah Teacher is a part-time position responsible for leading the B’nei Mitzvah class in B’nei Mitzvah preparation and Jewish educational activities. Students in the Gateways B’nei Mitzvah program range in age from 11 to 15 and have a variety of special educational needs. The classroom teachers are encouraged to be creative, dynamic, and innovative in designing lesson plans to meet this wide range of needs. The position reports to the Director or Jewish Education Programs. The B’nei Mitzvah program meets on Sundays from 12:00-1:30pm during the school year excluding Jewish holidays and public-school vacations. This teacher would be on-site on Sundays in Newton, MA from 11:00am -2:00pm.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Plan class sessions and teach class(es) on Sunday
• Assume primary responsibility for teaching class(es) and provide mentoring and feedback to one-to-one teen volunteers (classroom aides)
• Prepare and submit weekly lesson plans and supplementary materials, based on existing curriculum and in collaboration with our Education Specialist
• Develop and implement plans for individual accommodations and modifications
• Prepare a weekly communication letter to parents including curriculum and activities for the week
• Meet regularly with Program Director, Educational Specialist, and/or other staff to review past classes and plan upcoming units and lessons
2. Student Progress Monitoring
• Review students’ forms, reports and school IEPs
• Review weekly teen data sheets from the session
• Speak with parents and/or school if more information as needed, at beginning of year and/or during the school year
• Meet with volunteer(s) (one to one aides) to review each child’s needs and goals beginning of the year, and additional times as needed
• Document weekly student progress and participation using data collection, photographs, anecdotes, etc.
• Write end of year progress report for each child
3. Required meetings/attendance
• Be on site at the Sunday program by 1 hour prior to first scheduled session on class days
• Participate in scheduled sessions with meeting time as needed.
• Classroom clean-up at the end of the sessions
• Participate in mandatory program staff meetings and volunteer trainings at beginning of year, and as scheduled throughout the year (calendar provided in advance of each school year)
4. Classroom Management/Organization
• Ensure all materials are clearly labeled and stored in designated areas
• Maintain a clutter-free environment to support concentration and minimize distractions
• Organize shelves, bins, and work areas in a logical and accessible manner
• Restock supplies as needed and alert admin if materials are running low
• Ensure visual supports and tools are visible, updated, and easy to access
• Implement and adapt an organization method (e.g., checklists, color-coded bins, digital logs) to keep track of materials each week
• Collaborate with staff to ensure systems support individual student routines and classroom flow
5. Perform other duties as requested by the Program Director
Qualifications/Requirements:
• BA/BS in special education or related field
• Experience working with students with disabilities required
• Ability to read Hebrew and knowledge of Jewish holidays, customs, and traditions required
• Ability to read Torah and Haftorah preferred but not required
• Enjoy working with children
Rate:
• $160-$225 per weekly Sunday session based on qualifications and experience
• Potential to increase scope and hours of work overtime, if appropriate.
How to Apply:
Gateways believes in the essentiality of a diverse workforce. We are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals, including people of color, women, people with disabilities, immigrants, LGBTQIA people, and people who come from low income or working-class backgrounds. We encourage you to apply without regard to race, color, religion, age, disability, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, genetic information, medical condition, veteran status, or any other class protected under federal, state, or local laws. We know that the candidate who fits best may not meet 100% of the qualifications.
Gateways will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. The interview process for this position will be conducted via Zoom. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact us at jobs@jgateways.org for assistance.
We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. In order to ensure that your submission is fairly considered, please complete your application at http://tinyurl.com/gatewaysjobs.