‘Teach for Lubavitch’ Begins Year With 12 New Teachers

Teach for Lubavitch (TFL), a teacher training / Shlichus program by the Menachem Education Foundation (MEF), has launched for the new school year with 12 bright new teachers in 3 schools around the country.

The program launched before the school year started with a two day in-person training covering all the essentials for the first days of school. The program opened with a video of the Rebbe giving chizuk to educators, and words of inspiration from TFL program director and principal emeritus of Bais Rivkah High School, Mrs. Shana Tiechtel. Afterwards, participants were given a comprehensive orientation to the program with TFL administrator Mrs. Rivka Holzman, who has decades of experience in Chinuch as well as innovative programming for young women.

Mrs. Mushkie Lipsker, sought after teacher trainer and coach, who is known for her practical tips on the @evergrowingeducator instagram account and WhatsApp broadcast, gave the first day’s workshop, diving into to student engagement in ways that engaged all the participating teachers.

On day 2 of the training, Rabbi Zelig Silber, Melamed in Cheder Chabad of Monsey and acclaimed workshops facilitator and coach for teachers, guided the students through the essentials of classroom management and relationships with students.

Chanele Shusterman, a teacher in Bais Chana of Delaware, shared: “After a busy summer, this program not only recentered me but allowed me to see clear solutions to the difficulties in my teaching last year. The workshop with Mushkie Lipskier allowed me to understand the dynamics of lesson planning and how to turn my goals into an enjoyable lesson. I tell everyone I meet about it, because my lessons have completely changed. I have become a lot more cognizant of the interchange of relationships in the classroom after the course with Rabbi Silber. I have become aware of how my procedures allow me to communicate the values I would like to teach in the classroom. All in all, those two days provided a framework and support for the year and was a great boost that set me up for success.”

Armed with newfound skills and inspiration, the teachers then departed to their host schools: Cheder Chabad of Philadelphia, Cheder Chabad of Florida, and Bais Chana of Delaware. This program was designed to help schools find talented new teachers, while helping new teachers gain the skills and support they need to be successful. The teachers in each location are taking part in online and accredited teacher training courses provided al taharas hakodesh by MEF, and weekly Halacha and Chassidus shiurim given by local Rabbonim and Mashpiim. They will also meet weekly with on-site mentors to ensure that their teaching goes smoothly throughout the year.

The long term goal of this program is to bring Lubavitch a new generation of highly trained and motivated teachers who have tasted the joy of a successful Shlichus in Chinuch. If you’re considering a Chinuch shlichus after seminary, you can find out more about this unique program at mymef.org/TFL.

Meanwhile, the sound of Torah is buzzing in their classrooms. “I can not even begin to describe to you how incredibly talented these girls are,” shared Mrs. Chaya Matusof, principal of Cheder Chabad of Florida. “I am so grateful to Teach for Lubavitch for helping us find these girls. They are such a positive influence, they are role models, they are teaching well, and they are putting all of their koichois into their Shlichus of Chinuch.”