Job Description
We Are Hiring:
We are currently seeking Partner Teachers for three classrooms across our preschool program:
• PK2 (2-year-olds)
• PK3 (3-year-olds)
• PK4 (4-year-olds – includes Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten/VPK program)
Job Summary:
Our Partner Teachers provide a warm, loving, and child-centered environment grounded in Jewish values and inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy. We are looking for creative, reflective, and passionate educators who view children as competent individuals with their own ideas, theories, and ways of making meaning. As a Partner Teacher, you will collaborate closely with your co-teacher to design rich learning experiences rooted in children’s interests, document their growth, and foster a strong sense of community and belonging. This role requires a hard-working, flexible professional who embraces inquiry-based learning and is committed to building deep, trusting relationships with children and their families. PK4 teachers will also support Florida’s VPK standards through a play-based, Reggio-inspired lens.
Responsibilities:
• Collaborative Partnership: Work hand-in-hand with your co-teacher to lead the classroom. We believe in a team-based approach where both teachers share responsibility for planning, facilitation, and the well-being of the children.
• Reggio Emilia-Inspired Practice: Co-create an environment that serves as the “third teacher”—thoughtfully designed with open-ended materials, natural elements, and invitations to explore. Support children’s learning through project-based inquiry, following their questions, theories, and curiosities.
• Warm & Loving Environment: Cultivate a classroom where every child feels safe, valued, and deeply cared for. Build secure, trusting relationships that honor each child’s individuality and foster a genuine sense of belonging.
• Developmentally Appropriate Learning: Plan and implement engaging, play-based experiences that promote physical, social-emotional, cognitive, and language development. Adapt activities to the developmental stage of your classroom—from sensory exploration and emerging independence in PK2, to creative inquiry and collaboration in PK3, to early literacy, numeracy, and school-readiness skills in PK4/VPK.
• Jewish Values: Foster a sense of community by modeling and integrating Jewish values throughout the daily rhythm of the classroom. Bring Shabbat, Jewish holidays, and Hebrew language to life through joyful invitations to play, music, art, and storytelling.
• Documentation of Learning: Collaborate on making children’s learning visible through pedagogical documentation—photographs, transcriptions of conversations, and displays of children’s work. Use documentation to reflect, plan, and share growth with families.
• Family Connection: Build trusting, reciprocal relationships with families. Communicate regularly about their child’s experiences and progress, ensuring parents feel like vital partners in the classroom community.
Qualifications:
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field (REQUIRED); Master’s degree preferred.
• Certification: DCF (Department of Children and Families) certification is highly recommended.
• Experience: At least 2–4 years of experience working with young children in a formal early childhood setting is preferred. Experience with Reggio Emilia, project-based learning, or inquiry-based approaches is a strong plus. For the PK4/VPK position, familiarity with Florida VPK standards is an advantage.
• Personal Qualities: Must be exceptionally warm, loving, patient, and nurturing. A creative, reflective mindset and a hard-working, flexible attitude are essential.
• Language: Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written English. Bilingual in Spanish is a BIG plus.
• Technology: Knowledge of relevant technology and an openness to AI tools for communication and documentation.
• Physical Requirements: Regularly required to sit on the floor, stand, walk, and reach. Must be able to lift 20 pounds regularly and occasionally up to 50 lbs.
Benefits:
We offer competitive compensation, health, dental, PTO, and more! As well as opportunities for professional growth and development, and a supportive, collaborative work environment. If you are passionate about early childhood education and are committed to creating a warm and inclusive learning environment we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.
Job Type: Full-time
Salary Range: $18-$22 Per Hour
Benefits:
• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
About MARJCC ECA:
With over 40 years of service to our community, at the MARJCC Early Childhood Academy, children are at the center of education, playing an active role in their learning experiences. Serving children from 2 months old to kindergarten, we offer an inclusive environment, working with over 110 families from 17 countries. Our families speak English, French, Hebrew, Spanish, and Russian. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, we believe that children are capable, curious, and full of potential. Through social interactions, exploration, and play, children construct their image of the world around them—guided by Jewish values and a deep respect for each child’s unique journey.
The Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status.