Faculty Professional Development Update
Our faculty always takes advantage of so many Professional Development Opportunities throughout the year in order to enhance their knowledge and give even more to our students. These last two weeks alone, many Lower School faculty members attended sessions outside of the building, online, or in a Lunch and Learn at GOA.
Dr. Samara Grossman, Lower School Art Specialist, attended a useful and engaging session run by the Bureau of Education (BER) entitled, "What's New in Children's Books and Creative, Powerful Strategies to use them in your Program."
In addition, Mrs. Yael Safran, 1st grade teacher and Team Lead, thoroughly enjoyed a dynamic, thought-provoking PD workshop on Engaging and Motivating Students led by Brian Mendler.
Many faculty members joined a Lunch and Learn workshop led by Mr. Michael Newman, Director of Technology, on all things Google Drive. They were able to receive tips and updates that they can use on their own.
Mrs. Alexis Gruber, Ganon teacher and Team Lead, has been enjoying a six-week training run by Teaching Beyond the Square on Visual Languages which is providing new information for our Early Childhood initiative of Loose Parts. Educators explore different materials such as wood, cardboard, and fabric while the organization facilitates a discussion on how to lead these encounters in the classroom.
In addition, our Upper School faculty are committed to continuous learning and growth, and this spring has been a vibrant season of professional development opportunities across disciplines.
Three of our Dr. Shira Kelmanovich, Dr. Mary Okorie, and Ms. Marni Endlich attended the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) Conference, where they explored cutting-edge research, innovative teaching strategies, and hands-on approaches to engaging students in STEM. Their experience at this national gathering will bring fresh ideas and best practices into our science classrooms.
In the realm of educational technology, our Upper School Librarian Karen Ulric led a workshop on maximizing Google Drive for organization and efficiency. Faculty and staff across departments gained practical strategies to streamline workflows, manage resources, and enhance collaboration—empowering them to focus more on teaching and student engagement.
Middle School Director Ms. Jamie Himmelstein, Ms. Kate Godin, Ms. Emily Kaufman, and Ms. Marni Endlich participated in the Shefa School Virtual Writing Series, a program dedicated to refining writing instruction and elevating student voice. This experience deepened their expertise in crafting meaningful writing experiences for students.
Providing effective feedback is essential for teacher and student growth, and our Department Chairs engaged in a Hidden Sparks workshop focused on best practices for giving constructive and impactful feedback. This training will further enrich our faculty’s ability to support student learning with clarity and encouragement.
Additionally, two of our experiential educators- Mr. Casey Giblin and Ms. Marni Endlich - attended the Resilience in Action: Cultivating a Thriving Jewish Youth Community conference sponsored by the Jewish Education Project. At this conference, youth-serving professionals and educators from the Jewish community explored strategies for fostering perseverance, adaptability, and ways to support the mental well-being of students. Their insights will enhance how we nurture resilience and self-confidence in both classroom and real-world learning experiences.
Learning specialist Ms. Lisa Spielman participated in an Executive Function and Study Skills workshop, gaining new techniques to help students develop organization, time management, and independent learning strategies. These essential skills support academic success and lifelong learning.
Finally, Rabbi Yaakov Traiger teacher took part in a Harvard Graduate School of Education series on Universal Design for Learning (UDL), deepening his understanding of inclusive instructional practices that ensure all students have access to meaningful learning experiences.
Through these professional learning opportunities, our Upper School faculty continue to bring innovation, expertise, and inspiration into their teaching—strengthening the educational experience for all of our students.
We are grateful for the level of commitment our faculty members bring to their work every day, in and out of the classroom.
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