Lead Infant & Toddler Educator

Organization: The Nature School at Temple Shalom

Position Title: Lead Infant & Toddler Educator

Job Description: The Nature School at Temple Shalom is growing our Infant & Young Toddler program (birth–18 months), and we would love to connect with an educator whose philosophy centers on respect, observation, independence, movement, and deep relationships with young children. We are not a Montessori school, but our approach shares many philosophical roots with Montessori infant/toddler practice. Our program is influenced by RIE/Educarer, Reggio Emilia, nature-based education, and developmentally responsive practice. In our classrooms, that means: slowing down and giving infants time rather than rushing them seeing caregiving moments as important opportunities for connection supporting freedom of movement and emerging independence thoughtfully preparing beautiful, calm, accessible environments observing children closely before deciding when and how to intervene offering simple, open-ended materials rather than constant adult-directed activities spending meaningful time outdoors in every season treating even our youngest children as capable, active participants in their days We are building something intentionally different from traditional childcare. We want educators who are curious about why we do what we do, who want to study children alongside us, and who see working with infants and toddlers as serious, meaningful educational work. We are especially interested in connecting with educators who are currently pursuing (or considering) Montessori Infant/Toddler certification and would value working in an environment where many of those principles can live authentically in daily practice. The Nature School at Temple Shalom is a play-based, nature-informed early childhood program in Dallas. We are guided by Jewish values, joyfully Jewish and open to all, and you do not need to be Jewish to join our team.

Requirements: Bachelors Degree and/or 5 years of classroom teaching experience