In a world where options are continuously opening up to women, more than 35 Lubavitcher girls have chosen to devote their lives to Chinuch and receive the training to do so effectively.
A recent special evening celebrated the achievements of these aspiring teachers and their mentors. On Sunday, 8 Tamuz, June 16th, students of the Bais Rivkah Seminary Teacher Training Program joined with their instructors, supervisors and mentoring teachers, as well as their family members, to reflect on the past and be inspired for the future.
The evening was chaired by Mrs. Hindy Gurwitz, Director of Teacher Training at Bais Rivkah, who expressed the appreciation of the administration and the students for the invaluable investment of time, energy and skill by the mentoring teachers. These master teachers, at Bais Rivkah Elementary School and Preschool, as well as at Chabad Early Learning Center of the West Side, so graciously allowed the seminary students into their classrooms throughout the year on a weekly basis – or more – to observe, practice, and receive constructive feedback.
Mrs. Gurwitz thanked the coordinators of the student teaching program – Mrs. Gitty Sternberg and Mrs. Nechamie Popack– who coordinated student teaching lessons and made all the arrangements for a smooth experience, and the supervisors – Mrs. Cipi Junik, Mrs. Shifra Schwartz and Mrs. Pearl Stroh – for observing and guiding the student teachers. She also thanked the principals of the participating schools – Mrs. Chavie Altein, Mrs. Chana Etka Feldman, and Mrs. Chaya Sara Tenenbaum for their support.
Mrs. Pearl Stroh, Director of Chabad Early Learning Center of the West Side, Manhattan, supervises student teaching for the early childhood department of the program and teaches a fundamental evening course in early childhood education as well. As the opening speaker, she gave the crowd a glimpse into the day of a student teacher. Describing the hands-on experience these girls received at her school, Mrs. Stroh explained the natural preference Chabad ELC has for hiring graduates of the program as teachers and assistants.
Mrs. Dini Avichzer, one of the mentoring teachers at Bais Rivkah Elementary School, shared inspiring thoughts about Chassidishe Chinuch. She spoke of the need for passion in teaching and encouraged the aspiring teachers to find the time to “fill up their tank”, nurturing their own inspiration through learning so that they would have a fire to share. Mrs. Avichzer also reminded them to remain focused on the goal – raising builders of Yiddishe, Chassidishe homes who will bring the Geulah.
The guest speaker, Rabbi Shmuel Klein, Director of Zechor Yemos Olam, division of Holocaust Studies, and Director of Publications and Communications at Torah Umesorah, told the graduates that in choosing to devote themselves to Chinuch they were choosing the “higher road.” Rather than directing their energies to material pursuits, they were going to nurture Neshamos. He assured the crowd that, the challenges and lack of monetary reward notwithstanding, teaching is truly a most rewarding endeavor.
A highlight of the evening was when the crowd had the opportunity to hear from the student teachers themselves. In panel-style, various educational dilemmas were posed to students, who answered them with insight, clarity and creativity. They addressed questions such as: “Until what point would you encourage and assist a child before allowing him/her to try alone and possibly fail?”; “How do you plan to keep a disciplined classroom when students know you are a first-year teacher?”; and “What can you do to help your students make Geulah a reality?” amongst others.
The evening concluded with a video presentation showing some of the Rebbe’s guidance in the area of Chinuch.
The graduates, who will be assuming teaching positions next year throughout the United States, left the evening – and the year’s program in general – motivated and encouraged to give their all to the holy Shlichus of Chinuch.
For more information about the Teacher Training Program at Bais Rivkah Seminary, contact [email protected]
The article doesn’t mention if they received a certification to teach that is accepted in schools where they will try to get jobs. My daughters who wanted to teach were accepted as teachers in some schools and not in others-even our own schools.- because they weren’t officially qualified although they were great teachers. If we are offering such a great program including student teaching , we need to go the next step and to get some kind of accredited teaching certification that is recognized by frum schools and Jewish schools.
Wow!!! How impressive- I am totally in awe how this program is thriving… Nice to see girls devoted to … All our mosdos can bennefit from trained teachers… Thank you for offering our girls this opportunity.
Where did they come from?
and a huge mazal tov to all the semnary girls
regards
wow this are my little cutties
i miss them so much
a huge hug from south america
Mushka rapaport, Binie Harlig, Chaya Piekarski, Sarah stinmitz