Kindergarten Teacher
4 days ago
Weehawken
Job Description Summary Serenity Islamic School is seeking a warm, nurturing, and dedicated Kindergarten Teacher to join our growing school community. We are looking for an educator who is passionate about early elementary education, values strong academic foundations alongside child-centered learning, and is committed to creating a positive and engaging classroom environment rooted in Islamic values. In this role, you will lead our Kindergarten classroom — building strong literacy, math, and social-emotional foundations while fostering each child's growth in faith, character, and confidence. Duties Classroom Leadership • Lead and manage a Kindergarten classroom as the sole teacher, modeling Islamic manners and character throughout the day, • Establish consistent routines, clear expectations, and an organized, focused learning environment, • Implement Fundations to build strong phonemic awareness, phonics, and early literacy skills, • Plan and deliver developmentally appropriate lessons in math, reading, writing, science, and social studies, • Follow pacing guides aligned with the local public school district to ensure students are well-prepared for first grade, • Integrate age-appropriate Islamic values and character lessons into daily routines and academic content, • Support each child's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development, • Use positive behavior guidance and redirection rooted in patience, kindness, and Islamic principles, • Observe, assess, and document children's growth, sharing progress with families regularly, • Maintain a clean, organized, and inviting classroom with prepared learning centers and instructional materials, • Communicate with families through informal discussions, Brightwheel, progress reports, and parent-teacher conferences, • Directly supervise children at all times to ensure their safety, • Follow all licensing, health, sanitation, and safety regulations, • Arrive on time and prepared; attend staff meetings and trainings, • Follow a personal professional development plan for continuous growth, • Maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times Requirements • Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, or related field, • Minimum 2 years of classroom experience teaching Kindergarten or early elementary grades, • Strong knowledge of early literacy instruction, phonics, and developmentally appropriate practice (DAP), • Ability to plan, document, and execute weekly lesson plans aligned with district pacing guides, • Strong classroom management skills with a calm, structured presence, • Excellent verbal and written communication skills with children, families, and colleagues, • Patience, warmth, and genuine love for working with young children, • Comfort with and respect for an Islamic learning environment, • Ability to pass a background check and fingerprinting per NJ requirements, • Current (or willingness to obtain) CPR and First Aid certification, • Physical ability to lift up to 40 lbs, sit on the floor, and remain active with young children throughout the day Nice To Haves • NJ Elementary K–6 teacher certification, • Experience with Fundations or other Wilson Language programs, • Familiarity with Brightwheel or similar parent communication platforms, • Knowledge of New Jersey Student Learning Standards, • Prior experience teaching in a private or faith-based school, • Practicing Muslim with ability to model Islamic manners and character, • Basic Arabic or Quran knowledge Benefits • Paid school holidays (following the school calendar), • Summer break (school-year position), • Consistent Monday–Friday schedule, 8:30 AM–3:00 PM, • No evening or weekend hours, • Daily prayer accommodations and on-site Masjid (Islamic Center of Morris County), • Faith-centered work environment, • Paid professional development opportunities and trainings, • Support for continuing education, • CPR/First Aid certification provided or reimbursed, • Small, close-knit team with collaborative culture, • Supportive administration and engaged parent community, • Meaningful, mission-driven work
