Hebrew School Director, Shir Shalom Vermont (https://www.shirshalomvt.org/)
Shir Shalom is a vibrant, growing, progressive, Reform congregation in Woodstock, VT. We serve the Upper Valley region of VT and NH, with ~350 families and ~70 students active in our school. We have a strong emphasis on building community among our members, and on removing any barriers to prayer or education. Educating our children in Jewish culture and worship is a primary objective for our congregation.
As our school continues to grow, we seek a School Director to engage and excite our children and their parents about Jewish learning. We are looking for a “people person” to further develop, organize, and operate a multigenerational education program for children and their parents, and to maintain the school as an integral part of our congregational life.
Our school serves ~70 students, ranging in age from 2 - 18 years. We have established programs, curricula, and returning teachers for each age group, including a drop-in program for children aged 0-4, Sunday school for the elementary ages, and B’Nai mitzvah and teen programs. Our ‘madrichim’ program keeps our teens engaged with the school through their work in assisting the teachers and guiding the students’ activities.
Shir Shalom has a deep and important volunteer culture; cultivating parental engagement with the school is a crucial aspect of the work of the Director. The school is also a conduit for important adult education, particularly with the interfaith families in our community.
The Director supervises four teachers, refines and updates the curriculum, facilities student engagement, and promotes parent involvement. The Director reports to the Vice President for Education and works closely with the Education Committee and the Rabbi.
This is a part-time position (20 hours/week). In-person presence is required for school days (Sunday mornings, Sep-Jun) and major holidays/events. Most organizational and communication tasks can be performed remotely, or from the synagogue, as preferred. Salary range is $30,000 - $40,000, depending on experience.
Personal Characteristics: The Director should have strong organization, communication, and interpersonal skills, and be able to keep students and parents engaged. Should be creative, enthusiastic, and committed to Jewish life and Jewish education. Should demonstrate excitement for Jewish learning and should have the ability to develop those ideas into special curricula and programs.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Communication: Is the main source of information for the school program, including maintaining the annual school/events calendar. Proactively shares information with participants and the community at large with regard to events, programs, schedules, and program needs. Coordinates publicity and articles for the e-news and Journal regarding the school calendar and activities for circulation to the congregation.
Curriculum: Has full responsibility for further developing and maintaining the curriculum from pre-K through grade 6 and beyond. This includes selection of suitable educational materials and texts in collaboration with the Education Committee. Collaborates with the Rabbi to develop and implement curriculum for post-B’Nai/madrichim.
Personnel: Recruits applicants to fill staff vacancies, including teachers and madrichim. Selects, supervises, and evaluates staff members. Identify substitute help as needed. Conducts regular staff meetings. Plans and implements orientation, training, and in-service programs with both teaching staff and madrichim. Meets with individual staff members to evaluate student progress and to solve problems as needed. Evaluates teacher performance annually.
Enrollment: Enrolls students annually. Meets with parents of prospective children, identifies and accommodates special needs, and familiarizes parents and adult constituents with school policies and programs. Plans for the orientation of newly enrolled students. Confers with parents about student performance as appropriate.
Fiscal Responsibilities: In conjunction with the Education Committee, prepares the annual school budget for review by the Finance Committee, and is responsible for operating within the parameters of that budget. Responsible for securing required documents from all paid personnel, maintaining time records, and preparing monthly payroll submissions for teachers and madrichim to the Board Treasurer.
Social Justice: In conjunction with the Social Justice Committee, coordinates activities and learnings related to the Social Justice days as part of Experiential Learning.
Holocaust Studies: In conjunction with the Holocaust Committee, coordinates activities and learnings related to the Holocaust as part of Experiential Learning.
Holidays and Special Events: Assist in planning festivals and events for High Holidays, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Chanukah, Tu Bishvat, Purim, Passover, Shavuot, Yom Hashoah, Israeli Independence Day
B’Nai Mitzvah: Organizes a program for students studying to be Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
Additional Responsibilities Maintains school records: attendance, student progress, curriculum/learning materials, supplies/books, classroom organization and cleanliness. Serves as ex officio member of the Education Committee. Prepares reports on the state of the school for the Board, the Executive Committee, and the congregational Annual Meeting.
Experience and Education:
3 or more years leading creative educational programs, in a religious context, preferred.
BA in education or other related field, or equivalent experience
Experience in Jewish Education preferred, personal depth of Jewish learning also acceptable
Hebrew language familiarity preferred but not required.
Please email any questions and applications to: Elliot Goodman (elliot.goodman@shirshalomvt.org). If applying for this position, please include your resume and complete contact information.