Candidate Pool: Co-Director and Lead Teacher

Candidate Pool: Co-Director and Lead Teacher

Netivot Shalom Preschool at Congregation Netivot Shalom

Full-Time

March 2026

We are seeking a Co-Director & Lead Teacher. You will be a full classroom team member, teaching, observing children, and bringing our Reggio-inspired philosophy to life. You will also serve as a key member of our administrative team, providing director-level oversight and leadership support alongside an administrative team, with dedicated time set aside for administrative duties.

This role is ideal for an experienced educator with California director qualifications who is energized by both the art of teaching and the responsibilities of school leadership.

The position parameters are somewhat flexible, and we are fully prepared to provide support to the right candidate. If you see yourself fulfilling some of the job requirements but not others, you are encouraged to apply.  We will collectively determine the type of support you need to feel successful and supported in the role. 

Congregation Netivot Shalom is currently posting multiple positions as part of an intentional and open-minded search process. We are excited to meet candidates who feel drawn to one or more possible positions at Netivot Shalom Preschool, as we determine the best fit and structure for our school community. 

About Us:

Netivot Shalom Preschool at Congregation Netivot Shalom is entering its second decade of providing young children with a rich, joyful learning environment rooted in Jewish values, social-emotional learning, and child-centered practice. Our philosophy is inspired by Reggio Emilia: we see each child as curious, competent, and capable of building their own understanding of the world. Learning is play-based, emergent, and interwoven with Jewish life and practice. Netivot Shalom Preschool is a warm and inclusive community that welcomes families who are Jewish or interfaith, as well as those who do not identify as Jewish. Congregation Netivot Shalom is an LGBTQ+-affirming community.  

Key Job Duties / Responsibilities: 

Classroom Teaching 

• Serve as a lead teacher in your assigned classroom, designing and implementing an emergent, child-centered curriculum informed by Reggio Emilia principles
• Act as a thoughtful observer of children, documenting learning, building individual relationships, and supporting each child's unique developmental timeline
• Integrate Jewish content meaningfully and joyfully into daily classroom life
• Build trusting relationships with the families of children in your class

Leadership and Administration

• Provide director-qualified oversight and coverage in partnership with an administrative team, including regulatory compliance, supervision, and substitute coordination
• Foster strong and open lines of communication with families and staff
• Partner with the administrative staff on staff development, parent communication, and program planning
• Contribute to curriculum planning, community events, and the overall culture of the school

Qualifications:

We welcome candidates from a range of educational backgrounds. What matters most is your ECE expertise and your commitment to children and community.

• California Director Qualification, including at least 12 semester units in Early Childhood Education (Child Development; Child, Family, and Community; Preschool Curriculum), 3–6 units in Preschool Administration, and 3 units of Infant/Toddler coursework
• A.A. or B.A. in ECE or a related field — ECE units and teaching experience are highly valued
• 4+ years of preschool classroom teaching experience
• Experience in social constructivist educational settings, such as Reggio Emilia-inspired schools, is a strong plus
• Supervision or mentoring experience preferred but not required

If you are a skilled educator who is director-qualified in California and curious about growing into school leadership — even if you haven't done it before — we encourage you to apply. Many aspects of this role can be learned on the job with the support of ECE mentorship, available at this position.

Compensation: $30.00-$38.00 hourly rate 

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off, including sick leave and holidays
• Meaningful opportunities for professional development and growth

Application Deadline: Thursday, April 30, 2026

Application Procedure:

Email resume, cover letter, and any relevant transcripts to Alison Sorscher, [email protected]. Please include “Candidate Pool – (Your name)” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Anticipated Start Date: May-June 2026

Netivot Shalom began in 1989 and grew out of our founding members’ collective commitment to create an egalitarian spiritual home for Conservative/Masorti Jews. Netivot Shalom is based in Berkeley, California, and is allied with the world of Jewish community. This participatory egalitarian community is defined by the values of connectedness; learning; justice; and Jewish ritual. Netivot Shalom welcomes  members who are Jewish and not, Jews-by-choice, interfaith families, multiracial, multicultural, married, single, families and individuals, LGBTQI, straight, old, and young. We explicitly recognize and cherish each other as teachers and students. For more information, please visit our website www.netivotshalom.org 

Congregation Netivot Shalom is an Equal Opportunity Employer