Co-Teacher (Ages 1–2)
The Scandinavian School of Jersey City (SSJC) Jersey City, NJ
A Different Kind of School
At The Scandinavian School of Jersey City, we begin with a strong image of the child:We view children as curious, capable, competent, full of ideas, and deeply engaged in making meaning of the world.
Our work is rooted in the Reggio Emilia approach and shaped by Scandinavian values—where care, beauty, nature, and democracy are lived daily.
We are a pedagogical community where:
- relationships are the foundation of learning
- environments are intentional and evolving
- play is the work of children
- nature and time outdoors are an extension of our classrooms
- and academics are everywhere, all of the time—emerging through play, inquiry, and connection
Our pillars—Image of the Child, Nature & Play, and Mindfulness & Stewardship—are lived through daily practice.
The Role: Co-Teaching as Pedagogy
We are seeking a Co-Teacher for our 1s–2s classroom—an educator who approaches work with young children with intention, attentiveness, and deep respect.
At SSJC, co-teaching is lived through shared responsibility, ongoing dialogue, and the daily work of building a classroom together. Educators work as equal partners, sharing responsibility for:
- the emotional life of the classroom
- the design of the environment
- the evolution of curriculum
- and the interpretation of children’s thinking
This work is grounded in trust, reflection, and a shared commitment to growth.
Your Work With Children
You will:
- Hold a responsive, relationship-driven presence with toddlers
- Move fluidly between caregiving and pedagogy, understanding both as inseparable
- Notice emerging language, independence, and social connection
- Support play that is open-ended, sensory-rich, and rooted in material exploration
- Help create rhythms that feel calm, predictable, and attuned
In this classroom, care is curriculum, and curriculum is care.
Your Work With Colleagues
You will:
- Engage in ongoing pedagogical dialogue with your co-teaching team
- Contribute to documentation that is thoughtful and grounded in observation
- Co-construct environments and experiences that reflect children’s ideas
- Participate in reflection that deepens both individual and collective practice
Who You Are
- You are an educator who takes young children seriously—their emotions, ideas, and capabilities
- You are collaborative by nature and thrive in shared responsibility
- You are observant, reflective, and open to growth
- You value relationships, play, and inquiry as the foundation of learning
- You are drawn to environments where materials, aesthetics, and space matter
Experience with toddlers is important. Depth of thinking matters just as much.
Our Learning Environment
Our environments are thoughtfully designed to invite exploration, creativity, and connection. Classrooms evolve in response to children’s ideas, offering spaces that support curiosity, independence, and collaboration.
Time outdoors is essential. Children move, explore, and build confidence through daily experiences outside—developing gross motor strength, resilience, and a meaningful relationship with the natural world.
What We Offer
- A deeply collaborative teaching culture grounded in shared responsibility
- Ongoing professional development and pedagogical support
- Opportunities to grow within a reflective, Reggio-inspired environment
- A workplace that values creativity, wellbeing, and meaningful relationships
Additional Expectations
- Participation in occasional after-hours planning or school events
- Commitment to the broader life of the school community
To Apply
Please send your resume and a brief note sharing:
- how you think about working with very young children
- what draws you to a collaborative, Reggio-inspired environment
Pay: $50,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
