educati n From student to teacher: Yavneh alumna returns to teach
JCRC board members attend national training
Nothing says school pride like a student who returns to her alma mater almost two decades later to be a teacher. Yavneh Day School is excited to welcome back former student Arissa Balaban as their new Gesher (Junior Kindergarten) teacher.
JCRC of Silicon Valley board members Harry Cornbleet and Marci Gerston and JCRC Director Diane Fisher participated in a first-ever National Training Conference on conducting Workshops on Jews, Judaism and Israel for Social Studies Teachers in public schools. The conference was held in Walnut Creek in early August.
Arissa graduated with honors from UC Santa Cruz where she studied Psychology and Education and received a Masters and Credential from Santa Clara University. She brings over a decade Arissa Balaban of experience in education with her, and many happy memories of being a student and substitute teacher at Yavneh. Most recently, she taught pre-K - 2nd grade. She is a published author, behavioral specialist, sports enthusiast, and sometimes even a Duck Mascot!
Community Relations Council professionals and volunteers from 12 communities representing 16 states attended the conference hosted by the Institute for Curriculum Services: National Resource Center for Accurate Jewish Content in Schools (ICS). This conference launches the National Teacher Training Initiative to promote more accurate teaching about Jews, Judaism, and Israel in American K-12 social studies classes. The topics of Jews, Judaism and Israel appear in state standards for social studies in areas such as world religions, immigration and world history.
Says Arissa: "I believe that teaching and learning should be a fun and engaging process focused on a child's interests and strengths. Yavneh is home, and I'm excited to become a member of this great team." Arissa will continue to build upon the magical curriculum that was created and nurtured for the past three years, and the muchloved Sandra Garcia will return as a full-time aide to assist Arissa. To learn more about Yavneh Day School or the Gesher program call (408) 984-6700.
Education for female teens returns to the Bay Area Over twenty years ago a high school existed in Santa Clara solely for Jewish girls. Today a new type of education is emerging. The style focuses on unique integrated core Humanities/Arts and Math/Science curricula, as well as a strong Judaic background. The school, Meira Academy, launched this August and will begin with a ninth grade class. Meira is the only traditional Jewish girls-only high school in Northern California. Led by Interim Principal Mrs. Penina Noy and Board President Rabbi Joey Felsen, the school has developed an impressive faculty list. For more information on Meira Academy, info@meiraacademy. org or (650) 485-3589.
Participants gained the skills necessary to apply to, present at, and host a booth at annual conferences hosted by their state’s social studies council – the primary gathering of social studies educators. Taking part in the conferences will bring about tangible benefits to what teachers teach and, ultimately, to what students learn about Jews, Judaism, and Israel. Since each public high school teacher teaches an estimated 100 students each year, thousands of California students stand to benefit from the Silicon Valley JCRC’s participation in this important initiative. In 2012, the California Council for the Social Studies Conference will be held in Orange County, March 2-4. Marci Gerston will be staffing a JCRC booth along with SF JCRC, sharing curriculum materials developed by ICS with conference attendees. The materials can readily be obtained online at www.icsresources.org/ curricula.htm. For more information about Silicon Valley JCRC, contact Diane Fisher at (408) 357-7504 or diane@jvalley.org.
A.V.T.T. hires new Israeli teacher for Hebrew immersion The Almaden Valley Talmud Torah will be hiring Rebbetzin Revital Hadad of Ahabat Torah and native Israeli, as their Hebrew language teacher for this coming 2011-2012 school year. The Almaden Valley Hebrew School has been providing relevant Jewish education to young children since 1988. “We take pride in our enriching and warm learning environment, where children feel proud to be Jews,” says Mrs. Vogel. Parents, who in addition to providing a traditional Jewish education would also like to have their children comfortable with the Hebrew language by the end of this school year, should call Rivkah Vogel at (408) 445-1770. Classes at the Talmud Torah are on Sunday mornings for children ages 5-12. Supplemental and/or private tutoring on weekday afternoon/evenings is also available.
www.jvalley.org
www.jvalley.org
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