Educational Manager

Job Title: Educational Manager

Job Classification (FLSA): Exempt, 40 Hours

Supervisor: Deputy Director of Education

The Brooklyn Kindergarten Society (BKS) is the original “born in Brooklyn.” We were founded in 1891, and for 130 years, BKS has helped provide high-quality early childhood education to working families. BKS has grown up with the borough and continues to be a leader in equitable access to early childhood education. We provide full day, year-round academic experiences and care for children ages 2-5 years old. Our curriculum is play based and marries together reading, writing, movement and music, with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) learning. Our goal is to ensure that Brooklyn’s youngest learners have an equitable first educational step. 

JOB PURPOSE

Brooklyn Kindergarten Society is seeking a motivated self-starter for the position of Educational Manager. Certification in Early Childhood Education is required. The Educational Manager responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks that center around promoting BKS’s programs and initiatives including but not limited to the following; supervision of preschool, curriculum planning/development, staff training, coverage for absences of both Directors and Group Teachers and supporting all needs of the center. Flexibility with opening/closing center and classroom responsibilities with the Director and other management personnel will be required.

  SCOPE OF INFLUENCE

• Internal clients such as Center and Program Directors along with education-based staff and other center-based staff as needed
• External clients based on needs of individual location

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Support (40%)

• Assume authority in an emergency and/or when the Deputy Director of Education and Director of Curriculum and Instruction, or Center/Program Director is not available.
• Serve in various roles throughout the center as needed including teacher, and/or Director
• Support the Center/Program Director in the implementation of all School programs & initiatives
• Uphold discretion in dealing with all confidential matters and information
• In partnership with the Deputy Director of Education, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Center/Program Directors and Human Resources, assist with the recruitment and Center onboarding of prospective educators. Help to build networks of external future talent
• In collaboration with the Deputy Director of Family and Community Services, the larger Family Services team and Center/Program Directors, interact with parents to keep them informed on Center activities, answer questions, and address concerns.
• Assist the Center/Program Director in leading teaching staff, supporting families, and achieving enrollment, accreditation, and operational objectives
• Meet regularly with center leaders, outside vendors and the larger Senior Leadership team to identify and enact instructional priorities at each of BKS’s programs, and determine organizational wide priorities and initiatives.
• Supports Center/Program Directors in building and communicating weekly schedules
• Assists with ensuring the physical environment and health/safety standards are in full compliance with local and state licensing regulations
• Collaborate with the Deputy Director of Family and Community Services, the larger Family Services team and Center/Program Directors in planning events and workshops throughout the school year.

Educational Support (30%)

• Assists with overseeing student assessments; identifying strengths/areas of weakness/further intervention needed.
• Collaborate with the Deputy Director of Education and Director of Curriculum and Instruction in creating curricula and standards that support educational excellence and preparing the school calendar.
• Supports Center/Program Directors in conducting classroom observations to provide feedback, strategies, and coaching to individual teachers and teams. Conduct formal assessments as necessary.
• Identify and work to overcome stumbling blocks to high quality instruction in pre-K classrooms across BKS’s programs
• Collaborate with the rest of the Educational team to enhance the teaching team's knowledge of best practices in terms of instruction, behavior modification and age appropriate responses to challenging behavior
• Partner with Center/Program Directors to prepare the center’s monthly, quarterly, and annual reports/evaluations.
• Develop and refine professional development offerings (workshops, series, academies and institutes) in alignment Brooklyn Kindergarten Society’s school readiness goals and related assessments
• Conduct ongoing research and learning on best practices to support teacher development and professional learning communities
• Assist with evaluation strategies to monitor performance and determine the need for improvements. Compile program statistics and monitor the effectiveness of and participation in programs, ensuring that program standards are met and safety procedures are followed.

Employee Support (25%)

• Under the direction of the Deputy Director of Education, support strategies to motivate staff and achieve goals, model professionalism and relationship-building skills in all interactions.
• In partnership with the Educational Team and other staff, plan and implement orientation to welcome new staff into our approach and philosophy.
• Uses a growth mindset to train, coach and develop for the future
• Listens objectively to employee concerns and plans a recommended course of action
• Check-in regularly with teaching teams- part-time and full-time, and coordinate with our Leadership Team to ensure classroom needs are met quickly.
• Mentor Teacher Assistants and Teacher’s Aides to enhance professional growth.
• Manage Substitute pool with approving time and contact on daily basis
• Support Program/Center Directors with contact and follow-up for Study Plan teachers on a path to certification

Other (5%)

• Attend staff meetings and trainings as required.
• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• NYS Professional or Permanent ECE Certification B-2, Valid NYS Permanent or Professional Certification N-6, Professional or Permanent Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and Grades 1-6
• Master’s in Early Childhood Education or related field
• S95 and W07 or ability to receive within 3 months
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and any and all external systems related to DOE, NYCHA and DOHMH systems