Job Description

Temple Shalom Nursery School
Newton, Massachusetts
sderkautsan@templeshalom.org

Pre-K Lead Educator

Full-Time  •  2026–2027 School Year

About Our School

Temple Shalom Nursery School (TSNS) is a warm and vibrant early childhood community serving children ages 18 months through five years. Nestled within Temple Shalom of Newton, our school is guided by fundamental Jewish values — community, kindness, respect, the pursuit of knowledge, and justice — and holds the distinction of being the first school in Massachusetts certified as a Nature Explore Program.

We believe that each child is born with infinite potential and is an active, capable learner. Our practice is rooted in the conviction that education is fundamentally a process of building thinking relationships — with people, with ideas, with materials, and with oneself. We center children’s rights, honor their curiosity, and nurture their sense of wonder every single day.

Our Educational Philosophy

At TSNS, we believe children develop their capacity to think through communication, dialogue, and meaningful relationships. Our teachers are thoughtful observers who listen carefully and interact intentionally with every child. Key pillars of our approach include:

• Observing and listening closely to understand each child’s unique process of learning.
• Engaging children in open-ended explorations that expand curiosity, investigation, and inquiry.
• Skillfully combining child-led discovery with thoughtful, guiding instruction.
• Fostering collaboration, collective learning, and the development of empathy.
• Documenting children’s learning through pictures, notes, stories, and portfolios.
• Infusing Jewish values and traditions into the rhythm of daily school life.
• Providing rich, daily access to outdoor classrooms and a nature-rich curriculum.

Position Overview

We are seeking a passionate, experienced Pre-K Lead Educator to join our dedicated teaching team. In this role, you will be on a teaching team for a pre-k class of 17 children, supporting a lead teacher and guided by our Director and Assistant Director. You will be instrumental in creating a classroom environment that is intellectually rich, emotionally safe, and deeply joyful.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement a culturally age appropriate, inquiry-based curriculum rooted in children’s interests and TSNS’s educational philosophy.
• Observe, document, and thoughtfully assess each child’s growth through portfolios, notes, and photos.
• Build warm, trusting, and respectful relationships with children, families, and colleagues.
• Integrate Jewish values, holidays, and traditions meaningfully into classroom life.
• Lead outdoor classroom experiences as part of our Nature Explore-certified program.
• Collaborate closely with your co-teacher and participate actively in team planning, professional development, and school-wide community events.
• Communicate proactively and warmly with families, partnering with them as essential contributors to their child’s learning journey.
• Partner with specialists and therapists to support the needs of all learners, including those receiving additional services.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a closely related field.
• Classroom experience with preschool-age children.
• Deep knowledge of child development and play-based, inquiry-driven pedagogy.
• Strong observational and documentation skills.
• Warm, patient, and reflective teaching practice.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills with both families and colleagues.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and anti-bias education.

Preferred

• Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field.
• Experience with nature-based or outdoor education.
• Background in the Reggio Emilia or similar child-centered educational philosophies.
• Experience with children with diverse learning needs.

Schedule & Compensation

• Hours: 8:00 - 3:30 (with possibility of extended hours)
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Supportive professional development opportunities and a collaborative team culture.
• Membership in a warm and welcoming synagogue community.

How to Apply

We would love to hear from you! Please send a cover letter, your current resume, and the names of three professional references to:

Stephanie Derkautsan

sderkautsan@templeshalom.org

Temple Shalom Nursery School  •  175 Temple St., Newton, MA 02465

Temple Shalom Nursery School is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all members of our school community.

templeshalom.org/nurseryschool

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