Support for Early Childhood Educators

The Jewish Education Center (JEC) supports Cleveland’s Jewish early childhood programs in a variety of ways. We partner with early childhood educators and leaders to strengthen teaching practice, deepen relationships with families, and create learning environments grounded in joy, care, and Jewish values. Our support includes coaching, professional learning, consultation, curriculum support, and guidance with building community connection. We believe that when educators and school leaders feel supported, children and families thrive.

We conduct annual needs assessments with each program to help shape our work for the greatest impact. We are committed to staying current with best practices and research in Jewish early childhood education. In addition, we pilot initiatives focused on educator recruitment and retention, as well as high-quality teaching practices. Our team supports research and evaluation to ensure our work is responsive to the evolving needs of the Cleveland Jewish community.

The Early Childhood Steering Committee, a committee of the JEC Board supports community-wide family engagement initiatives and helps guide our work to ensure we are reaching and supporting all families. By strengthening family engagement across programs, we help build a vibrant and connected Jewish Cleveland community. We offer grants, promotional support and guidance to support meaningful family engagement experiences.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (PD)

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OHIO APPROVED PD HOURS

All staff members in JEC-affiliated early childhood programs are asked to commit to their own professional growth by completing a minimum of 10 hours of coherent professional learning each academic year. These are often developed by local education directors in cooperation with the JEC, while some are offered community wide. The JEC offers individual completion stipends to teachers. A JEC specialist works directly with affiliates programs and OCCRRA to ensure that professional learning opportunities are Ohio approved.

COLLEGE COURSES, DEGREES AND COACHING

The JEC, in cooperation with Ohio's TEACH program, offers funding to help early childhood teachers and assistant teachers increase their general educational background, through the following programs:

- Child Development Associate
- Associates in Early Childhood Education
- Bachelors in Early Childhood Education
- Master’s Degree or Teacher Licensing

Note: to learn more about funding available through the Early Childhood Professional Growth Plan (ECPGP), please email [email protected]

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

JEC staff and several local JEC professionals are Ohio Approved Trainers. We offer a growing catalog of Ohio Approved, high-quality professional development hours, including Jewish professional learning opportunities for early childhood educators.

PROFESSIONAL COACHING

All educators and school leaders desiring to improve their practice may request a coach from the Director of Early Childhood Excellence at the JEC. The coach is at no cost and a completion stipend is awarded.

COMMUNITY-WIDE LEARNING

The JEC supports the Jewish early childhood community in developing a community-wide early childhood day of learning. This is held every two years and there is no charge to community educators.

EARLY CHILDHOOD DIRECTORS NETWORK

The Early Childhood Directors Network (ECDN) reflects the rich diversity of Cleveland’s Jewish community, bringing together leaders from congregational, community-based and day school–based early childhood programs. This collaborative network meets monthly during the school year and is rooted in partnership, shared learning and collective leadership.

Through professional learning intensives, retreats, and ongoing connection, directors have dedicated time and space to step out of the day-to-day, learn together, problem-solve across programs and strengthen their leadership practice. These partnerships strengthen individual schools and elevate the quality and sustainability of early childhood education across Cleveland’s Jewish community as a whole.

CONFERENCE GRANTS

Educators are eligible to apply for a conference grant to attend educational conferences.

PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT

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NEW TEACHER ONBOARDING

Teachers new to working in early childhood and/or at a Jewish early childhood program are invited to attend a half day of learning about working in a Jewish early childhood setting as well as the resources available through the JEC and the Cleveland Jewish community.

FINGERPRINTS

Fingerprints is a curriculum designed specifically for Jewish early childhood educators to use in their classrooms. Rooted in research and developmentally appropriate practice, it provides guidance and support for teaching Jewish values, holidays, blessings, Hebrew language, and prayer in ways that are joyful, accessible, and responsive to young children.

We are currently in the process of rewriting and updating the curriculum to align with the newest version of the Ohio Early Learning and Development Standards, ensuring strong connections between Jewish learning and best practices in early childhood education. Creating Fingerprints supports educators in creating classrooms where

Jewish identity, relationships, and whole-child development grow together.

THE TEACHER CENTER is a creative hub for educators - an inspiring, hands-on space where teachers can explore resources, spark ideas, and bring meaningful learning to life. The Teacher Center provides books, games, sensory materials, background information, visuals and classroom resources to support early childhood programs and enhance teaching and learning. To learn more click here.

PILOT PROGRAMS

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ElevatEd is a national community partnership bringing together Jewish organizations, funders, educators, and local leaders to strengthen early childhood Jewish education (ECJE). Beginning in the 2024–2025 school year, our community joined ElevatEd to recruit, support, and grow early childhood educators through coaching, mentorship, professional learning and community connection. Together, we are building a stronger pipeline of educators, strengthening leadership in schools and deepening relationships with families—so educators, children and families can thrive.

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

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FAMILIES TOGETHER is a cohort-based community program designed to build lasting relationships among families raising young Jewish children. Through shared experiences of play, learning, and celebration, small groups of families connect with one another, form supportive peer relationships and grow their sense of belonging in Jewish life.

Guided by trained facilitators, families gather throughout the year for meaningful, relationship-centered experiences that foster connection, comfort in Jewish spaces and ongoing engagement with synagogue and community life. By building relationships early, Families Together helps families feel more connected, supported, and rooted in the Jewish community - during the early childhood years and beyond.

THE SHORESH GRANT is a funding and partnership opportunity designed to support Jewish early childhood programs and organizations in creating meaningful, engaging programs that strengthen Jewish identity, education and community connection. The grant helps launch or enhance initiatives that build relationships among participants, deepen Jewish learning and experiences and connect families more intentionally to Jewish institutions and community life. In addition to financial support, the Shoresh Grant offers strategic partnership and resources through the JEC to help programs grow their impact, foster belonging, and create high-quality, values-driven Jewish experiences.

COMMUNITY-WIDE PROGRAMS: We help support bringing multiple partner organizations together to pool resources and programs together. This helps to attract a larger group of participants and connects families that would ordinarily not be in community with one another to one another.

JEWISH FAMILY ENGAGEMENT GUIDE: A print and digital guide is available quarterly with a list of opportunities that are open to families with young children (0-6) hours as a free or reduced cost. Programming opportunities include tot shabbat, holiday celebrations, parent education and social opportunities centered around Jewish values and Jewish themes.

JEWISH FAMILY ENGAGEMENT NETWORK: The network meets quarterly and brings together professionals working to provide high quality educational and engagement opportunities to families with children 0-13 years old. Meetings include professional development opportunities, brainstorming and planning as well as opportunities to work collaboratively.