West Orange Pre-K at the J – Lead Preschool Teacher

JCC MetroWest, West Orange, NJ 07052
Full-Time (35 hours/week; 10 months/year)
Salary Range: $66,000 – $75,000 per year

JCC MetroWest, as a designated West Orange Pre-K provider, is seeking qualified Lead Preschool Teachers for the 2026-2027 school year. Reporting directly to the Director of the JCC MetroWest Early Childhood Center, the West Orange Pre-K at the J Lead Preschool Teacher provides an approved preschool education program and establishes a class environment that fosters learning and personal growth. The Lead Preschool Teacher helps pupils develop skills, attitudes, and knowledge needed to provide a good foundation for continued education and maintains good relationships with parents and other staff members.

RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:

• Works to achieve State preschool standards and West Orange Public School district educational goals and objectives by promoting active learning in the classroom using curriculum adopted by the West Orange Board of Education as well as other appropriate learning activities.
• Develops lesson plans and instructional materials and provides individualized and small group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the needs of each pupil.
• Sets specific objectives wherever possible in lesson preparation and weekly lesson plans and carries through presentation to effectively achieve these objectives.
• Monitors pupil academic progress and personal growth toward stated objectives of instruction, to include the implementation of West Orange Public School District preschool assessments.
• Administer structured program evaluation instruments throughout the school year to measure quality practices in preschool classrooms: ECERS-3, High Scope’s COR (child observation record) and other assessments needed.
• Maintains records of pupil’s educational progress in class record books and/or forms approved by the West Orange Board of Education and summarizes these marks for reporting purposes.
• Identifies pupil needs and cooperates with other professional staff members in assessing and resolving learning problems.
• Establishes and maintains standards of pupil behavior needed to achieve a classroom climate conducive to learning.
• Budgets class time effectively.
• Communicates with parents through conferences and other means to inform them about the school program and to discuss pupil progress.
• Plans class activities and lesson presentation that are age-appropriate for the class and meet the individual needs, interests, and ability levels of all pupils.
• Maintains professional competence and continues improvement through in-service education and other professional growth activities.
• Participates in school-level planning, faculty meetings/committees and other school system groups.
• Makes effective use of community resources to enhance the instructional program.
• Upholds and enforces school rules, administrative regulations and polices of the West Orange Board of Education and JCC MetroWest.
• Performs other duties which may be assigned or required by law, code, regulation or policies of the West Orange Board of Education or JCC MetroWest.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Certificate of Eligibility for Teacher of PK-3, or a Standard Elementary School Teacher/N-8 Certificate, or a Standard New Jersey Nursery school endorsement, or any other equivalent certification, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B.
• Demonstrated knowledge of effective teaching methods and developmentally appropriate classroom activities
• Preschool teaching experience preferred
• Required criminal history check and proof of U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status

OTHER INFORMATION:

Qualified candidates should email a cover letter and resume to the attention of Leslie Fleischman, Director – Early Childhood Center, at [email protected].

All applicants for employment shall be considered without regard to race, religion, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by law.