Early Childhood Center Art & Outdoor Education Specialist

The Douglas Family Early Childhood Center of Sinai Akiba Academy is looking for a dynamic and innovative Art & Outdoor Education Specialist to join our experienced early childhood education teaching team. The Art & Outdoor Education Specialist is responsible for bridging the gap between creative expression and outdoor play. This role involves designing and leading a developmentally appropriate curriculum for children ages 2–5 that includes both the Art Studio and the Outdoor Learning Environment.The ideal candidate is a "process-over-product" advocate who possesses high physical stamina, a love for play, the outdoors, and art, and the ability to create profound learning moments by igniting the imagination of children, including challenging curriculum for individual, small and large group activities that promote learning in the areas of social-emotional, language, cognitive, physical and self-help development and motivate children’s enthusiasm for active participation in the learning process. This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the DFECC Outdoor Coordinator, and starts 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 ResponsibilitiesOutdoor Education SpecialistProvide a science-based outdoor curriculum that is fun, safe and age-appropriate, ensuring materials and centers are rotated regularlyCreate and document inspiring age-appropriate provocations that center around the Jewish and secular holidays as well as the children’s interestsHelp teachers plan or spontaneously extend their classroom activities to the outdoorsDetermine the organization of each play area and ensure a variety of learning opportunitiesRefresh activities before each age groupOversee the teachers by assigning them specific responsibilities and monitoring that they are actively participatingEnsure that outdoor time is unique, fun, safe and age-appropriate for all studentsFacilitate play and learning rather than directing the children’s playObserve and document how the children are engaging with the materials and scaffold the learning accordinglyMaintain professional and sensitive communication with parents and colleagues regarding child development and curriculumUtilize the Outdoor/Art Studio bulletin boards and digital platforms (Seesaw) to provide pictures and documentation of student progressAssist and coordinate holiday “on the yard” experiencesArt Education SpecialistDetermine the organization of play and experiential learning through a variety of intentional art areas to ensure age-appropriate opportunities for learningSet up age-appropriate provocations with intention alongside opportunities to strengthen developmentObserve and reflect how children engage with materials and scaffold learning accordinglyMaintain, monitor and replenish all ECC art materialsEnsure all art supplies are non-toxic and areas are free of hazardsOversee and mentor teachers in the Art Studio, assigning responsibilities and ensuring they engage in active learning and observationCreate long term projects connecting to curriculum and holidaysCurate a yearly Art Exhibit focusing on a multitude of mediumsDesign art experiences that prioritize sensory exploration (paint, clay, collage, recycled materials) over specific end resultsIntroduce famous artists and concepts through simplified, hands-on activities and provocationsMaintain professional and sensitive communication with parents and colleagues regarding child development and curriculumUtilize the Outdoor/Art Studio bulletin boards and digital platforms (Seesaw) to provide pictures and documentation of student progressJudaic StudiesTeach 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 Jewish Music: Learn and sing along Judaic songs with studentsPhysical RequirementsAbility to lift and move objects of up to 30 poundsSubstantial time spent standing, kneeling, walking, bending, stooping, squatting, and moving up and down stairsResponsibilities include moving quickly with children. The position also requires being able to set up and move outdoor furniture and supplies.Qualifications And Education RequirementsBachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or relevant field or a minimum or 12 ECC unitsProven experience in Early Childhood Education with a specific focus on outdoor curriculum development and arts instructionAbility to work on campus Monday - Friday 7:45AM - 3:30PMStrong physical fitness and enthusiasm for engaging in classroom and outdoor activitiesDemonstrated ability to create a safe, nurturing, and stimulating learning environmentExcellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage with children, parents, and colleagues positively and effectivelyKnowledge of safety regulations and risk management practices in outdoor environmentsCompensation And BenefitsAnnual Salary range: $38,000 - $70,000Excellent benefit package with a portion of medical paid by SAAGenerous paid time off and holidays403b and employer funded retirement plansProfessional development opportunitiesIn 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, hourly 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 at https://sinaiakiba.bamboohr.com/careers/167 or to Jen Cavalieri, Associate Director of DFECC, at jcavalieri@sinaiakiba.org .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, gender expression, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, and/or local laws.