Assistant Toddler Teacher

The Jennifer Barnum Early Childhood Education Center is a program of Congregation Beth Israel:

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 is 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. We have a total of ten classrooms, two classrooms per age group.

About the Position:

We are looking to hire one Assistant Toddler Teacher for our 12 months to 24 months classrooms. The room can have up to 8 children enrolled, and ratio is 4 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 attending to toddler’s daily needs such as engaging their developing brains and exploring their curiosities, daily art projects, outside gross motor play, circle time, story time, and music time. You will also be helping with toilet learning, there is a bathroom in the classroom where you will guide children through the toilet 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 helping record toddler activity and communicating that directly with parents about their child’s day through our app. 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:

• Preparing snack, helping children access their lunches from home
• Toilet training and changing diapers and clothes as needed
• Assisting the Lead with developing activities, curriculum and art projects that are developmentally appropriate
• Helping children fall asleep
• Attending to developmental needs such as music time, reading stories, exploration of classroom and materials
• Taking walks and going to the playground so children can experience the outdoors
• Record all toileting, feeding, and naps for parents to see
• Assisting with drop-off and pick-up
• Being a back-up contact for parents to speak to about their child when the Lead isn’t available
• Making note of special and fun moments for the lead to include in newsletters and other parent communications
• Assisting in keeping a record of developmental milestones to create a developmental profile
• Support the Lead teacher and working together as a team
• Basic cleaning tasks such as sterilizing dishes and toys and cleaning up after children (we have a cleaning crew that does mopping and more in depth cleaning, but teachers are responsible for surfaces and toys

Mission

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.

Philosophy

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.

Essential/Required Qualifications:

• CPR/First Aid certified (we offer options to get this done through our organization)
• Food Handlers card (offered online)
• Completion of 20 semester credits in early childhood education or related field

OR a one year state recognized credential such as a CDA working with children 0-2 years old

OR documentation of attaining at least an 5 in the Oregon Registry

OR at least 6 months documented experience in a certified childcare center working with infants and toddlers

OR 6 months working in a certified childcare center working with infants and toddlers AND completion of 10 semester credits in early childhood or a related field

• An ability to embrace and celebrate families and children from diverse backgrounds

Welcomed but not required Qualifications:

• Familiarity with Judaism and Jewish traditions
• Experience with toddler environments and toilet learning
• Working knowledge of toddler 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 of all abilities

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance