Staff Development Training Day at Chabad Girls Academy

Have you ever wondered what actually happens during your child’s school day? With nearly 160 days spent in school each year, parents often question: Who is my child sitting next to? What skills and life lessons are they learning? How is my child developing academically, socially, and emotionally to become their best self? And most importantly, do their teachers truly understand their strengths, challenges, and unique abilities?

At Chabad Girls Academy (CGA), a middle school in the heart of Crown Heights, we recognize that every parent deeply cares about their child’s growth—not just academically but also in their Chassidishe development and personal confidence. Our mission is to nurture every student in a customized learning environment where they can flourish.

A Unique Approach to Education
CGA caters to students from grades 4-8 and is now accepting students from grade 3 for the upcoming year. What sets us apart is our commitment to individualized education. We place tremendous emphasis on our staff because we believe the right educators create the most meaningful learning experiences. Our selective hiring process ensures that every teacher is not only highly qualified with educational degrees and experience but also has a natural ability to connect with students. We foster relationships of trust and support, knowing that students thrive when they feel genuinely cared for.

Confidence is built through trust and belief, and at CGA, we instill these values in our students every day.

Supporting Our Teachers for Student Success
To maintain our high educational standards, CGA provides weekly support meetings for teachers, ensuring that every lesson plan is tailored to the needs of our students. We are privileged to have Mrs. Chaya Sandhouse as our Curriculum Coordinator, guiding our academic programs and ensuring each student reaches their potential.

At the start of the year, students undergo three baseline assessments in Chumash/Dikduk, English Language Arts (ELA), and Math. These assessments are repeated three times annually to measure progress and ensure that every child is advancing academically. The data gathered allows us to adjust teaching strategies and provide the necessary support to maximize each student’s learning potential.

Professional Development for Educators
Beyond ongoing support, CGA prioritizes professional development by offering full-day training sessions three times a year. These sessions bring our entire teaching staff together to refine their teaching methods and enhance classroom engagement.

Just this past week, we hosted our second full-day training session, led by the creative and dynamic teaching coach, Mrs. Mushky Lipskar. This workshop provided hands-on strategies for making lessons more engaging and effective. Teachers participated in interactive activities—catching and throwing balls, writing with pasta, exchanging Laffy Taffy jokes, and spinning dice—all designed to explore new ways to capture student interest and make learning fun. The second half of the day focused on questioning strategies, critical thinking skills, and integrating technology to enhance 21st-century learning.

At CGA, we are committed to creating an exceptional learning environment where both students and teachers grow. By investing in our educators, we ensure that our students receive the best possible education, setting them up for success in school and beyond.

We take pride in the strong, nurturing environment we’ve built and look forward to continuing to innovate and inspire the next generation of confident, self-sufficient young women.

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