Early Childhood Teacher

The Douglas Family Early Childhood Center of Sinai Akiba Academy is looking for experienced, dedicated early childhood educators to join our dynamic teaching team. This role involves working with a supportive and talented team of diverse faculty in a fun, warm, and nurturing learning environment for children aged 18 months to 5 years old. DFECC teachers embrace developmental and play-based pedagogy, working closely with a classroom teaching team to facilitate learning experiences aligned with the school's mission and values. We seek exceptional early childhood teachers with a sound understanding of best practices in play-based teaching and child development to begin in August 2026.

Sinai Akiba Academy is a preeminent private Jewish day school in Los Angeles, serving students in Early Childhood through Grade 8. Sinai Akiba Academy is undergirded by our school mission to engage students in the joy and discipline of learning, and nurture a community of ethical, critical thinkers who, shaped by our evolving Jewish tradition, walk through the world with confidence and humility. Sinai Akiba Academy offers a competitive salary in a collaborative and engaging teaching community. 

Our core values of Kehillah Kedoshah (Sacred Community); Talmud Torah (Academic Excellence); Derech Eretz (Kindness, Empathy, & Respect); Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof (Ethical Responsibility); Avodat Halev (Soulful Intention), and Ahavat Yisrael (Love for Israel) serve as a commitment with the students, families and community members that we serve to energize the present, explore the past, and embrace the future.

ESSENTIAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

General Responsibilities

• Design and facilitate play-based, inquiry-driven learning experiences grounded in observation and child development


• Create nurturing, predictable environments that support wellness, emotional regulation, independence, and belonging


• Adapt activities and the learning environment to meet the interests, needs, and abilities of individual children and the group as a whole


• Observe, document, and reflect on student learning to inform instruction and communicate growth


• Collaborate with colleagues to ensure coherence across classrooms and contribute to shared professional practices


• Model and directly teach positive social skills, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution techniques appropriate for the age group


• Maintain regular, open, and respectful communication with parents/guardians regarding their child's learning and the DFECC program


• Engage in ongoing professional learning aligned with the science of learning and early childhood research

Judaic Studies

As a DFECC teacher, core responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following, as detailed in the “ECC Jewish Education Curriculum Guide”:

• Teach the meaning behind each Jewish Holiday and ensure students experience the Jewish Holiday atmosphere through all their senses (touch, taste, smell, see and hear)


• Understand and be able to teach Jewish Holidays and rituals as appropriate to the developmental stage being taught, according to Sinai Akiba Academy’s mission and Conservative Judaic values and practices (i.e., Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simcha Torah, Hanukkah, Purim, Passover, Shavuot, Yom Ha’atzmaut)


• Instill Ahavat Israel (Love of Israel): Love for the people and Land of Israel through ensuring that Jewish and Israeli symbols are displayed and referred to, including, but not limited to, Singing HaTikvah (Israeli national anthem), celebrating Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israel Independence Day)


• Jewish Music: Learn and sing along Judaic songs with students

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to lift and move objects of up to 30 pounds.


• Substantial time spent standing, kneeling, walking, bending, stooping, squatting, and moving up and down stairs. Responsibilities include moving quickly with children. The position also requires being able to set up and move classroom equipment, including large items such as children's desks and chairs may require setting and resetting.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or relevant field or a minimum of 12 ECC units


• Proven and outstanding experience in early childhood education


• Ability to work on campus Monday - Friday 7:45AM - 3:30PM


• Strong physical fitness and enthusiasm for engaging in classroom and outdoor activities


• Demonstrated ability to create a safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environment


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with children, parents, and colleagues positively and effectively


• Knowledge of safety regulations and risk management practices in outdoor environments

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Annual Salary Range: $38,000 - $70,000


• Excellent benefit package with a portion of medical paid by SAA


• Generous paid time off and holidays


• 403b and employer funded retirement plans


• Professional development opportunities

In the spirit of pay transparency we share the base annual salary range for this position: $38,000 - $70,000. Annual base salary is exclusive of fringe benefits, retirement plan employer contributions or potential stipends (for eligible employees). Pay ranges at SAA are reasonable estimates of what the School anticipates paying for a role but are not guaranteed. If hired at SAA, your final annual base salary will be determined by factors such as skills, education, experience, job level, part-time status and number of months of work per academic year. In addition to those factors, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity with our current employees as a part of any final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the full annual base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range is not typical for SAA in order to allow for future and continued salary growth.

Applicants may submit their cover letter and resume for consideration to Jen Cavalieri, Associate Director of DFECC, at [email protected].

Sinai Akiba Academy provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and strictly prohibits any type of harassment or discrimination in regards to race, religion, age, color, sex, disability status, national origin, genetics, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, gender expression, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, and/or local laws.