Neshama School Director

Neshama School Director

The Neshama School is an alternative Jewish educational program for K-7th grade students. A start up school with approximately 25 students, The Neshama School is the collaboration of a cohesive group of engaged families of Kol Shalom synagogue of Rockville, MD. The Neshama School is a new kind of program with a goal of shaping the Neshama, the soul and character, of each student through immersive and intergenerational learning experiences. Kol Shalom is an inclusive, progressive, warm congregation that strongly supports infusing our students with Jewish identity, Hebrew, tefilah skills, and the knowledge of Shabbat and Holiday celebrations, and participation in life cycle events. We are creating an interactive, living and learning program that connects the kids to the values of Judaism, to each other, and to the larger intergenerational Jewish community.

We are seeking an energetic and passionate educator/administrator/creative mind, interested, and experienced in helping develop the program in collaboration with our rabbi, staff and parents which will launch this September. The school will meet an average of 2 Sunday mornings per month to learn about and experience Tefilah, Torah and Tradition and Arts, Music, Creative Judaism and Israel. On some months, the school will also take a field trip on an additional Sunday. Once each month, the students and their families will convene to celebrate Shabbat or another holiday in a manner that involves active participation by the students. Additionally, customized learning for Hebrew skills will take place virtually in small groups mid-week.

This is a part time job averaging 15-20 hours per week, though we recognize that the start up phase may require a “front loaded effort” during the summer.

• Curriculum and School Administration

• Work collaboratively with parent representatives to develop overall curriculum, and calendaring.
• Hire and supervise teachers and mid-week tutors.
• Develop and supervise Shabbat and holiday children’s programming in conjunction with our Director of Spirituality and Engagement.
• Manage student records, systems for tracking student progress, provide support to teachers.
• Manage Neshama School Budget: work with professional and lay leadership in budgeting process; maintain records of expenditures, and provide monthly reports.
• Be present and oversee operations of in-person school sessions, field trips and special events.

• Teacher and Staff Supervision

• Be the primary point of contact for communication between Neshama School teachers and parents as well as mentors from the congregation who will offer intergenerational learning opportunities.
• Responsible for staffing and evaluating the teachers.
• Support and mentor teachers, review lesson plans and special class activities, supervise teacher evaluation of student progress.

• High Holidays

• Plan services for two age groups (PreK-2nd grade and 3rd-7th grades) on First Day Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
• Lead or hire service leader for both age groups.

• Synagogue Relations

• Rabbi: Communicate with the Rabbi on matters of Jewish law, observance, and teaching to ensure consistency with congregational practices.
• Parents: Communicate with parents regularly through weekly emails or other social media, encourage and foster ongoing involvement of parents, facilitate social events, and actively engage prospective Neshama School families.
• Executive Director: Coordinate all issues involving registration, payroll, personnel, communications, and finances, building usage and staffing with the Executive Director.

Job Type: Part-time

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Rockville, MD 20850: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

• Teaching: 1 year (Preferred)
• Principals: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: One location