By Rabbi Levi Feldman
I received a disturbing message from a parent who shared very hurtful words that another student wrote about their son. It crossed a red line, and I knew addressing it in the morning wouldn’t be enough. Spontaneously, I invited them to meet with me and their son that evening.
After a few words of encouragement, I explained how I planned to resolve the issue, ensuring that the student and parent were comfortable with the approach. I couldn’t let the student go to sleep that night without addressing the problem, and the truth is, I couldn’t sleep peacefully myself while such an important issue was unresolved.
Dealing with classroom matters after hours may not be required, it may not be in our job description, and an effective classroom manager might consider it breaking protocol. However, in this case, there was an opportunity to be a leader, not just a classroom manager. An opportunity to go beyond the letter of the law to show the student that his comfort and safety is my top priority.
Being a leader means seeking solutions instead of giving up, no matter the challenge.
When the 5th Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Sholom Dovber, opposed the government’s interference in religious matters, he was placed under house arrest.
The Gaon, Reb Chaim Brisker, came to visit him and found the Rebbe sitting and crying. When Reb Chaim said, “Lubavitcher Rebbe, we have done all that we can, now we need to rely on Hashem,” the Rebbe responded with an analogy of a business owner and employee.
While a dedicated employee can sleep peacefully even when there are unresolved problems because he knows he tried his best, the business owner, after investing all his effort throughout the day and truly doing everything he can, still cannot sleep at night. His business affects him to his very core and he will not rest until a solution is found!
At times a struggling student will surprise me when I least expect it. Without any notice, he will ask a sophisticated question, explain a deep concept with tremendous clarity, and share his own example showing how he internalized the idea. That moment is priceless, it’s the moment that confirms that all the efforts were so worthwhile!
The timing of those moments is not random. A student once shared with me that the real breakthrough for him came when he felt that I believed in his capabilities more than he believed in himself.
Join us this summer at the 7th annual Art of Chinuch summer intensive training. Let’s explore effective education and leadership, striking a balance between care, warmth, and structure.
We’re already investing so much time and energy into our teaching, let’s do it right.
Mechanchos Training begins 28 Tammuz / July 17th
Mechanchim Training begins 13 Av / July 31st
Highlights include:
➡ How to create a caring environment.
➡ How to design effective classroom routines.
➡ How to enjoy teaching without the draining discipline.
➡ How to turn problems into opportunities.
➡ How to inspire students to exceed expectations.
Registration and more information is available at www.ArtofChinuch.com
What teachers are saying:
“It is very rare that you get a teaching course from a teacher with many years of experience who is still teaching full time in the classroom,”
Rabbi Yosef Wolowik (Los Angeles, CA)
“With Rabbi Feldman, it’s not theory, it’s based on what is tried and tested in the classroom.”
Rabbi Hershel Lustig – (Brooklyn, NY)
“As a first-year teacher, jumping into school was daunting, but what kept the classroom running were the reminders, tips, and tools I gained from Rabbi Feldman’s classes.”
Ms. Leah Deren (Pittsburgh, PA)
“Rabbi Feldman’s training was invaluable. His classroom management techniques have been implemented as part of our staff handbook.”
Rabbi Fogel YTT (Brooklyn, NY)
“Your clarity combined with your passion truly inspired our teachers to make practical changes. The bite size titles in conjunction with your practical anecdotes, are instantly doable and empowering to all level Mechanchim, veterans and novices alike.”
Rabbi Shmuel Geisinsky (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
“This course addresses many pressing challenges a teacher encounters both in and out of the classroom. It provides systematic routines and solutions to everything, from lesson planning to delivery and teacher student interaction.”
Mrs. Chavi Rappaport (Toronto, Canada)
Join us this year:
www.ArtofChinuch.com/intensivetraining
