Assistant Director of Preschool, Stoler Early Learning Center
The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore, Owings Mills, MD, United States
Assistant Director Of Preschool (Ages 25)
The Assistant Director of Preschool (Ages 25) 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. Specific duties include but are not limited to: Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Program Administration Provide instructional leadership for the preschool program (ages 25), 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.
The Assistant Director of Preschool (Ages 25) 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. Specific duties include but are not limited to: Educational Leadership, Curriculum & Program Administration Provide instructional leadership for the preschool program (ages 25), 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.