Position Summary:

The Efshar Project seeks a full-time Network Director for Pedagogy and Leadership to join our team and serve as a critical thought partner with the Executive Director. The Efshar Project exists to strengthen access to high quality Jewish early childhood experiences amongst a current network of 12 partner schools, through advocacy, holistic support, and resources for educators, families and school leaders. The Network Pedagogical Director will be responsible for all phases of implementing high quality programs intended to advance Reggio-inspired, constructivist early childhood educational pedagogical best practices grounded in Jewish values and traditions.

The Efshar Network Director, Pedagogy and Leadership will seek to understand both the unique and common needs of each program in order to design and provide collaborative learning opportunities, direct service and responsive professional development for educators and school directors. In addition this will include partnering with school leaders to provide access to parent engagement and education opportunities. This role will be responsible for oversight of all school coaches, school growth plans, leadership teams/stakeholder engagement, family leadership and program outcomes.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Network Coordination and Oversight

• Identify and prioritize network-wide offerings/programs based on common threads and needs among partner schools
• Collaborate on agenda and coordinate monthly Director network meetings and special meetings as needed
• Serve as a resource to all schools on topics that arise and require support
• Oversee leadership, pedagogical and special project coaching and consultation
• Partner with evaluator and Executive Director to define, collect and monitor data systematically to inform decision making and prioritization of work

Pedagogical and Programmatic Oversight

• Oversee all pedagogical and program core offerings including, but not limited to, Community of Practice, Reflective Supervision, Annual Conference, and new offerings: SHINES Cohort, and New Educator onboarding/induction program
• Ensure alignment of all Efshar offerings with the Standards of Excellence for Jewish Community Centers and Synagogues with Early Childhood Education Centers

and state quality framework, systems and requirements

• Serve as the convener who brings together both coaches and network schools
• Provide guidance and support to coaches to promote data- driven coaching and share analysis leveraging available data with Executive Director and Network Schools

Leadership Support

• Design a responsive and strategic approach to leadership development to increase the skills, knowledge and capacity of leaders, including directors, educators and families
• In partnership with the Executive Director and coaches, to Ensure every school develops and implements annual school growth plans , including strategies to advance pedagogical practices, leadership and management skills, and family stakeholder engagement (e.g. leadership teams) and monitor implementation
• Support Leadership Coaches and ECE Directors to assemble and facilitate school leadership teams and/or other stakeholder engagement strategies to be leaders that advocate for advancing Jewish early childhood education experiences
• Serve as Leadership Coach for at least two schools

ECE Quality Initiatives, External Partnerships and Strategic Projects

• Foster, leverage partnerships and serve as the primary liaison around topics related to pedagogy, including curriculum, coaching, and professional development opportunities provided by local, state and national agencies (e.g. Colorado SHINES, Early Childhood Councils, Clayton Early Learning, Department of Early Childhood) and local/national Jewish organizations (PJ Library, JEWISHcolorado, Sheva Center, Paradigm Project, ECE-RJ, etc.)
• Coordinate with Executive Director and other Efshar team members to share relevant information, resources and pursue relevant and aligned opportunities
• Engage in small-scale human-centered design efforts related to teaching, learning, pedagogy and professional development
• Support and/or lead strategic projects (e.g. Outdoor learning, Family education and leadership pipeline, etc.)

General

• Produce regular written communication to network schools and external stakeholders (e.g. Contribute regular blog posts for the website, newsletter, etc.)
• Comply with all required CNDC administrative processes
• Collaborate with Executive Director to support development strategy including grant writing, attending board meetings and serving on Internal Affairs committee
• Meet weekly with Executive Director
• Design and implement support structure for Network Coaches as well as network schools, including coordinating annual Jewish ECE Denver-Boulder annual conference and annual director’s retreat

Qualifications

• A minimum of 7 – 10 years experience in progressive Early Childhood Education, including coaching and supervisory experience of administrators and educators
• Master’s Degree in Early Childhood or related field preferred
• Strong Judaic background and knowledge of Jewish culture, values and traditions
• Demonstrated track record of positive team leadership, including cultivating trust and effective communication with team members
• Experience in working with and developing trusting relationships with a multitude of stakeholders in a diverse community
• Demonstrated track record in cultivating an inquiry-based learning culture among adults, as well as facilitating learning experiences
• Strong background in coaching and reflective supervision with individuals and small groups at various levels within a school
• Ability to multitask and juggle competing priorities while still getting the job done
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Growth Mindset (open to feedback and demonstrate commitment to professional development)

To Apply: Submit resume and cover letter that explains your interest, skills, experience and vision for implementing a network model that advances the mission of the Efshar Project to admin@efsharproject.org. Applicants must include a list of three professional references. To ensure consideration, please apply by April 15, 2022. Target start date: May 1, 2022

Compensation: Twelve month, full-time position Range from: $73,800 - $82,500 Salary commensurate with experience Full benefits offered, including, Health, Dental, Vision and 401K match (after one year) Employees become eligible for benefits on the first day of the month following one month of employment.
Annual opportunities for ongoing professional development

Reports to Executive Director For any questions please contact Kelli Pfaff and visit our website at www.efsharproject.org.

CNDC is dedicated to equal employment opportunities in any term, condition, or privilege of employment. CNDC prohibits unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, age 40 and over, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, gender expression or any other characteristic protected by state or local law.