Yeshiva K’tana of Waterbury, Waterbury, CT

Menaheles

Founded in 2000, the Yeshiva K’tana of Waterbury has grown from a student body of ten to over 800 students in three divisions (Early Childhood, Girls, and Boys). YKW has become New England’s largest Jewish day school and serves as the primary incentive, drawing new families to become part of a unique community. The school seeks a Menaheles to lead the educational operations of the Girls Division for the 2024-25 school year. The role will oversee both the Limudei Kodesh and General Studies divisions. The Menaheles will work with the Board of Directors and the Vaad Hachinuch to develop and implement strategies to further the school’s educational excellence.

About Waterbury, CT
After several years of decline, the Jewish community of Waterbury, CT, experienced a remarkable rebirth in 2001, with the creation of the Yeshiva Gedolah of Waterbury and the Yeshiva community. The founding of the new community quickly attracted dozens of families seeking an affordable, warm, tight-knit community with Torah as its central beacon. With its unique blend of Yeshiva-based city with an “Out of Town” flavor, many families continue to move and call Waterbury home. The city is only a 90 drive to Monsey and less than 2 hours from other Jewish communities in NY. Waterbury offers one of the lowest living costs in Yeshiva-minded communities in the Northeastern US, with a sizeable population of over 300 families and the amenities accompanying it.

Our Ideal Menaheles is:

• A role model for teachers and students with a strong commitment to Torah and spiritual growth
• A strategic, solution-based thinker;
• A natural relationship builder with robust and clear communication skills;
• Well-versed in education curricula and philosophies;
• A strong leader, committed to developing the talents and contributions of others through positive interactions, delegation, and good working relationships;
• Committed to the professional development of herself and her staff;
• 5+ years experience teaching including 2+ years in administration

Responsibilities include:

1. Organizational Leadership

• As Lead Educator and Administrator, the Menaheles is the primary communicator of hashkafos and core values to administration, teachers, staff, parents, and students to appreciate, embrace, and implement those principles.
• Provides visible leadership for the faculty, students, and overall school community.
• Collaborates with the Board to create and execute long term strategic plans and establish policies and processes to accomplish the mission of the Yeshiva K’tana.
• Promotes and fosters an environment in which colleagues work collegially and harmoniously.
• Ensures best practices are achieved in all aspects of the school’s daily operation, instruction, and other activities.
• Oversee the development and implementation of activities and strategies to promote a cooperative spirit among the school’s personnel and parents to enhance the educational and social climate of the school.

2. Executive Administration

• Oversees the overall daily operations of the school, administrative staff, and office functions.
• Regularly speaks after davening and leads the openings of school assemblies, graduations, and students’ extracurricular programs.
• Regularly meets with department heads and mechanchos to provide support and guidance in fostering student’s personal and academic growth.
• Actively engages with administrators, teachers, students, parents, and staff to understand and proactively manage issues and concerns before they escalate.  Communicates openly with appropriate Board members, the Vaad Hachinuch, and involved parties.  Consult with appropriate Board members before taking action that impacts community enrollment or staffing.
• Helps determine Faculty and Staff salaries and contractual obligations along with appropriate Board member(s).
• Delegates responsibility for governmental reports for funding.
• Facilitates good stewardship of and necessary improvements to the physical building aesthetic by reporting issues to the responsible party.
• Leads admissions process by meeting with prospective students and parents and working with administration to assess student readiness.
• Regularly updates the Board, highlighting accomplishments, progress toward goals, specific concerns, and general updates.
• Actively participates in Board meetings.
• Leads admissions events and community outreach efforts.
• Consult with and visit peer educational institutions for the purpose of introducing innovative programming for the Yeshiva K’tana.
• Attends industry functions and conferences as representative of the Yeshiva K’tana.

3. Students

• Ultimately responsible for managing the academic, intellectual, and spiritual progress of students and regularly reviewing student assessment data with administration and teachers.
• Articulates and helps enforce school-wide behavioral expectations.  Responsible for student disciplinary decisions, collaborating with the principals and Vaad Hachinuch as necessary.
• Develops positive relationships with individual students to ensure each student’s uniqueness is nurtured and character is developed.

4. Faculty Development

• Leads and mentors a dedicated, energetic faculty.
• Identifies areas needing improvement and develops and implements training and faculty professional development.
• Creates appropriate tools (e.g., observation forms and rubrics) to encourage and measure the development of faculty and staff over time.
• Establishes procedures and general timelines for faculty and staff evaluations.
• Evaluates the performance of the faculty and staff
• Meets with faculty and staff individually to share evaluation and growth objectives for continued professional development.

5. Curriculum and Program

• Remains connected to current educational research and collaborates with faculty to implement evidence-based principles into the program and curriculum.
• Oversees the implementation and enrichment of the established curriculum in each department. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the current curriculum and program with appropriate faculty. Focuses energy on adjustments that will ensure the Yeshiva K’tana becomes and remains an exemplary progressive education model.
• Recruits highly qualified and capable faculty members and staff who will manage and direct existing academic programs and lead creative development efforts of new educational programs. 
• Ensures that assessment methodologies reflect student learning and evaluates trends in test scores with appropriate faculty members.

6. Parents and Community

• Reinforces school culture, mission, and core principles at Open Houses, orientations, and published communications to strengthen community understanding of and commitment to the Yeshiva K’tana.
• Is responsive to parent’s concerns.
• Participates in parent/teacher conferences as appropriate
• Ensures communication with parents regarding significant events, policy changes, and curricular changes/enhancements or individual student issues.

For more information or to apply for this position, please contact Rabbi Heshy Glass at hglass@cojds.org or 516.368.3333

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