Education Director, Harlem Gems

We are seeking an Education Director. The ideal candidate will bring a passion for the mission and core values of HCZ Harlem Gems, an understanding and respect for the culture of all residents of Harlem, and a desire for working in a school setting that fosters a love for children.

Harlem Gems is the final step in our early childhood pipeline. A top-notch, year-round, full-day pre-kindergarten program, Gems works with 240 children across four sites to ensure that each and every one enters kindergarten school-ready. With five staff in each classroom, classes have a 4:1 child-to-adult ratio, allowing for more one-on-one work and ensuring that students receive the individualized attention they need. Gems staff also encourage strong family involvement, engaging parents and caregivers in classroom activities and creating consistency between home and school.

Early literacy skills are a primary focus of the Gems curriculum. Students are immersed in language-and not just English. They also learn basic vocabulary in French and Spanish, and get to know and explore the world around them through exposure to a range of disciplines-from math, science, and technology to social studies and the arts. They participate in fun fitness activities, playing sports such as golf and tennis, and even learn the basics of health and nutrition, including how to differentiate "go," "slow," and "whoa" foods to foster healthy eating habits. From recreation to reading, our goal is to turn our Gems into lifelong learners. And we reinforce the ultimate goal-college graduation-early and often. Each Gems classroom is named after a prestigious college or university, at once setting a high bar for the future and fostering a culture of academic excellence.

Harlem Gems is seeking an Education Director to provide leadership and direction for curriculum and instruction, and other educational programs and initiatives to one of our program sites. Responsibilities include program management, administration, development, and evaluation. This position reports to the Program Director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct and develop curriculum and teaching processes
• Manage all programs to ensure effective delivery of curriculum and achievement of program outcomes
• Manage and provide guidance to teachers and teaching support staff
• Conduct formal and informal observations, and provide constructive feedback
• Develop workshops and educational opportunities that encourage academic enrichment
• Establish and maintain collaborations with community organizations, schools, and parents
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualification, Skills and Knowledge Requirements

• Master's degree in Education with supervisory experience in a pre-school setting
• Must have at least 3 - 5 years teaching experience
• Valid New York State teaching certification for Birth-Grade 2 and/or Grades 1 - 6
• Knowledge of and experience with early childhood curriculum development
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Familiarity with early childhood education funding sources and performance standards (i.e., UPK and Head Start)
• Teaching experience in an urban school setting is highly desired

We offer competitive salaries with performance-based bonuses, a comprehensive benefits package, and a low student-teacher ratio. To be considered, interested applicants must apply online or submit a cover letter and resume to promiseacademy@hcz.org. No telephone inquiries or recruiters please. Replies will only be sent to qualified applicants. HCZ is an EOE.