EDUCATION TODAY SPECIAL SECTION
This past summer, the teachers met in South Carolina to discuss what it means for educators as far as mandates go because many states do not have funding for it or clear parameters on what’s needed as far as teacher training. “I applaud the teachers who are signing up with the Arizona Department of Education and Echoes & Reflections training that ran throughout the year,” says Kim. “Teachers took their own time to show up, and I am happy because they’re taking that initiative and to make sure they’re doing it correctly and covering the things that they need to. There’s nothing that says that anybody has to do that. But it’s fun to see what they do after they’ve gone through training; they come up with some great ideas for lessons.” One example was in November last year, Chaparral High School presented “I Never Saw Another Butterfly,” a Holocaust-related play that was supplemented by presentations from Holocaust survivors and a mini-museum of Terezin, the concentration camp featured in the play. The idea for the production was initiated by the mother of a Chaparral student, Adena Astrowsky, a third-generation descendant who wrote a book about her grandmother’s survival story. Despite being in her 30th year at Dobson High School, the excitement and passion in palpable in Kim’s voice when she talks about teaching – whether it is to other educators or her students. “I’m so glad I get to do this because it’s fun and rewarding. I think it opens people’s eyes and our students benefit because they have teachers who are trained and know how to handle a sensitive topic like this,” she says. “And the kids are honestly interested and ask the best questions. They’re just soaking it up because they want to know, and they’re interested in this history.” 22
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 | ARIZONA JEWISH LIFE
Speaking for Others and Yourself By Amy Hummell
J
ewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month ( JDAIM) was formed in 2009 when the Jewish Special Education International Consortium got together for their annual meeting. Two of the members presented the idea of selecting a specific month for all communities to raise awareness and share resources on the topic of disability. Becca Hornstein, co-founder of the Council For Jews With Special Needs (today Gesher Disability Resources), served on the consortium and helped prove the need for worldwide inclusion and understanding. It was working in Arizona, so she knew it could work everywhere. The goal – Jews of all ages with any disability could participate in the mainstream of Jewish life. This was very important to Becca. When she first arrived in Phoenix in 1983 and called looking for a religious school her son with autism could attend, none of the synagogues were able to accommodate. “Because of
