Director of Early Childhood
Schechter Boston creates a Jewish educational experience where each child, 12 months through eighth grade, will be known, belong, be engaged, be inspired, and be prepared. Faculty, staff, and students benefit from a highly collaborative, mutually supportive community in which each person’s individual strengths are recognized, cultivated, and vital to the success and learning of the whole. Individuals who work at Schechter Boston thrive in a culture that lives every day by these values:
Believing there is no limit to better
Providing honest and kind feedback
Failing forward
Leaning into complexity
Being kinder than necessary
Schechter Boston is seeking a visionary early childhood educator and strategic leader to serve as Director of Early Childhood (also known as “The Gan”) serving children from 12 months through Pre-K. In Summer 2026, Schechter Boston will open a newly constructed Early Childhood center within our EEC-Grade 2 building, creating an exciting opportunity for growth and innovation. We are seeking a Director to help shape the next chapter of our Early Childhood program. This is a rare opportunity for an experienced leader who is deeply grounded in early childhood pedagogy, passionate about Jewish identity development, and energized by the work of building and sustaining a culture of excellence. The Director of Early Childhood sets the philosophical and pedagogical direction of the program, inspires and develops a high-performing faculty, and establishes the conditions under which children, families, and educators all flourish. The Director will sit on Hanhallah (the school’s senior leadership team), report to the Head of School and serve as a trusted presence for families, and a visible ambassador for the Gan within the broader Jewish community. This is a 12 month position.
Specific responsibilities will include:
Serving as the architect of a shared vision for early childhood among faculty about the pedagogical and curricular approach to learning and teaching at the Gan - including but not limited to championing learning experiences and creating Jewish classroom environments, materials, and routines based in emergent and constructivist education, and gathering student assessment data to drive curriculum decisions and fuel ongoing program improvement.
Championing a culture of reflective practice throughout the school - directing the Gan’s approach to professional development for faculty and establishing high functioning Jewish-centric pedagogic leadership structures embedded throughout the program
Championing a culture that prioritizes Hebrew language learning throughout the program
Developing and implementing the Gan’s approach to supervision and evaluation of faculty and a comprehensive plan for the hiring, onboarding and ongoing mentorship of new faculty
Building and sustaining authentic partnerships with parents by maintaining open, honest, and warm communication; creating meaningful opportunities for family engagement
Keeping abreast of educational developments in the field of Jewish early childhood by attending courses and conferences with colleagues
Overseeing day-to-day operational logistics, including scheduling and classroom coverage in ways that protect and enhance instructional time.
Overseeing the EEC licensing requirements to ensure the Gan is in full compliance with local, state, and federal regulations around health, safety, and emergency policies and procedures as well as maintaining staffing patterns that meet or exceed required ratios and supervision expectations at all times.
Developing and managing an annual early childhood budget aligned with the school and designed to support program quality and long-term sustainability.
Maintaining a visible, welcoming, and approachable presence for families and champions a genuine culture of partnership between home and school.
Representing the Gan within the wider community and actively seeks opportunities to collaborate with peer organizations on joint programs and initiatives.
Charting the path for the strategic direction of the early childhood program – as the key feeder to the K-8 program - and proposing and piloting new ways to create value for existing and prospective families as well as the school, aligned with the mission.
Education, Qualifications and Experience
EEC Director I or II certification required
Master’s Degree in Education or a related field required
10+ years of experience in early childhood education
At least 5 years of experience serving as an Early Childhood Director
Demonstrated track record of building and sustaining a culture of pedagogical excellence
Deep knowledge of Jewish play-based and inquiry-based approaches to early childhood curriculum
Experience with NAEYC accreditation and/or quality improvement systems strongly preferred
Commitment to Jewish values and enthusiasm for integrating Jewish identity into the fabric of daily school life
Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Suite
Exceptional communicator, coach, and collaborator
Salary and Benefits
Schechter Boston is committed to providing a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that supports the whole person. Benefits include:
Salary: Up to $150,000, commensurate with experience
Health insurance, prescription drug benefit, and vision coverage
Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA)
Long-term disability and life insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
Tuition reduction for employees’ children
Up to 30 paid holidays, plus vacation time, sick time and personal time
Early dismissal on Fridays
Please submit your resume and cover letter to jobs@ssdsboston.org. We welcome candidates from across the country and encourage applicants who are eager to bring both visionary leadership and deep pedagogical commitment to a thriving Jewish day school community.
