What’s NEXT?The Professional Learning Program for Supplementary School Teachers
New Excellent Teacher Training
Welcome to our summer series of classes!We are pleased to
present this semester’s
high-quality, intensive
learning opportunities
for Supplementary
School teachers. Some
of our summer classes
are in-person and
some are online
and asynchronous –
meaning that teachers
log in and participate in the class for ANY two hours a week
that they choose, night or day. The classes are designed to
address what is next for you in your own professional growth,
what you need to know and what tools you need to become
the teacher you want to be.
SUMMER CLASSES
• Problem-Based Learning:Students as Investigators
• Boot Camp for New Teachers
• Diving into Torah with Both Feet
• Special Needs in Jewish Education
• Art Works: Integrating theArts in Supplementary Settings
• Truly Welcoming Children ofInterfaith Families
All classes are appropriate forteachers of pre-K through 12th grade.
Registration and more
information can be found
online at www.gratz.edu/NEXT
or by contacting Rabbi Erin
Hirsh, director of the NEXT
program at [email protected] or
(215) 635-7300 ext. 183.
Through the generosity of the Lorraine &
Jack N. Friedman Commission for Jewish
Education of the Palm Beaches, all NEXT
programs are subsidized for Jewish
educators in the Greater Palm Beaches.
More information on last page.
Online class begins the week ofJune 16, 2014 and will be four sessions long. Plan to spend twohours on classwork over each twoweek session. You may choose anytwo hours that suit you.
Instructors: Dr. Gloria Becker, Program Director for EducationalTechnology, Jewish Learning Venture& Linda Block-Love, MSM and MEd,Director of Educational Leadership,Jewish Learning Venture
Do you ever find yourself standing in
front of your students and teaching
"to" or "at" them more than you would
like? Would you prefer to be the kind of
teacher who creates compelling and
engaging learning experience for your
students? Problem-Based learning
reimagines how learning happens in
a classroom.
When you understand Problem-Based Learning, you will be able to develop distinct learning opportunities in which your students learn through the process of creating substantial and meaningfulprojects, rather than simply doingprojects that demonstrate what theyhave already learned. Your students
will gain a new sense of ownership of
their Jewish education, while your role
as teacher will shift from being the
“sage on the stage” to being the
“guide on the side.” This Problem-
Based Learning class offers you critical
tools for creating more dynamic,
vibrant and creative Supplementary
School learning experiences.
Online class begins the week of July 7, 2014 and will be four weekslong. Plan to spend two hours a week on classwork, although you may choose any two hours that suit you.
Instructor: Peter Eckstein, MS in Elementary Education; MA in Jewish Education; Director of Congregational Learning at TempleBeth David in Palm Beach Gardens,Florida & Technology Integration Educator for the Friedman Commission for Jewish Education
Studying Torah for its own sake is a
Jewish value. But when we learn Torah
in order to teach it, we begin to explore
the text differently. We study with an
eye towards discovering how the words
can shape the lives of our students.
Focusing on the first four portions of
the Torah, we will learn each parashaand then create learning activitiesthat will be ready to be used at thebeginning of the year. We will explore
different learning modalities and utilize
various tools and technologies to help
us create an environment that will
enable our students to find meaning
in the text.
So, whether you are comfortable in
the kiddie pool or are ready to swim in
the deep end this course will help you
dive right into the wisdom and lessons
of Torah.
Diving into Torahwith Both Feet
Problem-BasedLearning: Studentsas Investigators
Boot Camp for New Teachers
(and those with minimal formal training in education)
Online class with rolling admission.Eight 1.5 - 2 hour modules. Thesemodules can be completed at anypace.
Instructors: Rabbi Erin Hirsh, MAHL,Director of the NEXT Program &Rochelle B. Rabeeya, MARE, Coach& Consultant, the NEXT Program
Every new teacher wakes up in the
middle of the night worrying about
setting up a classroom, planning for
the first day, organizing lessons, using
textbooks and keeping everything
engaging. This class will help you jump
into Supplementary School teaching
without feeling overwhelmed and offers
you a quick and solid introduction to
many core aspects of teaching in a
part-time Jewish educational program,
including child development, kehillah(community) building, classroom management, multiple intelligences,special needs, as well as syllabus,unit & lesson planning.
As a bonus, we will support you when
school begins through an online group
specifically for new Supplementary
School teachers.
“The course . . . which I took through
the NEXT Program online . . . is of
significant benefit to me in my role
as a Supplementary School Teacher.
I found the assigned readings to be
interesting, and full of ideas which
I can readily apply in my classroom.
The weekly assignments were
meaningful in that they helped in
assimilating the information and
ideas . . . the course reinforced and
extended my thinking, provided lots
of new activities and new ways to
approach existing lessons.”
– Ruth NewmanTemple Brith AchimKing of Prussia, PA
Offered in collaboration with Jewish
Learning Venture
Offered in collaboration with the Lorraine
and Jack N. Friedman Commission for
Jewish Education of the Palm Beaches
Online class begins the week of July 7, 2014 and will be four weekslong. Plan to spend two hours aweek on classwork, although youmay choose any two hours that suit you.
Instructor: Meredith Polsky, MSWand MA in Special Education; Co-founder and Director of Trainingand Advocacy at Matan
Supplementary School educators face
unique challenges in addressing the
needs of all learners in the classroom.
This class will explore the ins andouts of select learning disabilitiesand developmental issues, how theymay present in a Jewish classroomsetting, and ways to respond effectively.
By increasing our knowledge of a
variety of special needs (including
ADHD, sensory issues, processing
challenges, and more) and the Jewish
values with which to approach these
challenges, we will discover how
accommodating these students
actually benefits all students in our
classrooms.
Special Needs in Jewish Education:How to Reach andTeach All Learners
“I greatly enjoyed taking the classes
offered by Gratz’ NEXT Program. The
classes were easy to access online
and the teachers really know how to
use technology to bring education to
a new level. I can't wait to apply what
I learned to my own teaching!”
– Naomi Bright LermanBeth Tikvah B'nai Jeshurun
Erdenheim, PA
Offered in collaboration with Matan
Art Works: Integrating the Artsin Supplementary
Settings
Online class begins the week of July 7, 2014 and will be four weekslong. Plan to spend two hours a week on classwork, although you may choose any two hours that suit you.
Instructor: Deb Krivoy, MEdDirector of Avoda Arts
Are you looking for creative, meaningful
ways to help learners participate more
actively, have a voice in the classroom,
and feel part of the learning community?
Come tap the potential of the arts for
Jewish learning, self-expression and
engagement. Experience how the arts
embody whole-person learning and
develop strategies for integrating the
arts into your own teaching practice.
When used productively in a classroom setting, the arts can focusstudents, trigger an emotional response and provide a catalyst forthoughtful consideration and discussion of an idea or theme.Through readings, visual response,
group discussion and personal
reflection, this course explores how
the arts allow us to express both our
individual identity and our connections
to the broader Jewish community.
Offered in collaboration with
Avoda Arts
Online class begins the week ofJune 16, 2014 and will be threeweeks long. Plan to spend two hours a week on classwork, although you may choose any twohours that suit you.
Instructor: Rabbi Robyn Frisch, MAHLDirector of InterfaithFamily/Philadelphia
Most supplementary schools officially
welcome children of interfaith families
today, but what does it really mean to
be welcoming? Supplementary school
teachers of children of interfaith
families stand at the intersection of
Jewish communal beliefs and values
and the complex lives of children with
parents who are not Jewish. We are
tasked with cultivating our students’
Jewish identities while simultaneously
navigating the policies of our
respective schools, our own personal
beliefs and values, and the need to
honor our students’ realities.
Using our own experiences and case studies, we will explore “bestpractices” for handling issues that come up with students from interfaith homes and their familieswith grace, respect and integrity.We will consider everything from the
language we can use to the ways we
can structure activities in order to be
integrate these children effectively.
You will leave this class with a deeper
understanding of your role as teacher
to children of interfaith families, as well
as tools and strategies to make your
classroom truly welcoming.
Truly WelcomingChildren of
Interfaith Families
Offered in collaboration with Interfaithfamily
“Next year's class will truly reap the
benefits of this class. This experience
has been a real eye opener for me!
I feel rejuvenated and excited about
the possibilities for enhancing the
curriculum and class lessons. I am
truly grateful for this opportunity.”
– Debbi SilvermanCongregation Beth El
Voorhees, NJ
Supplementary School teachers invest time, skill, energy and creativity in their classes every
week. Their hard work is most successful when reinforced by professional learning, which
consists of ongoing education about pedagogical practices, more and deeper Jewish content,
ones’ own Jewish identity, and the needs and desires of ones’ students.
REGISTRATION AND FEES
Through the generosity of the Lorraine & Jack N. Friedman Commission for Jewish
Education of the Palm Beaches, all NEXT programs are subsidized for Jewish educators
in the Greater Palm Beaches.
All courses may be applied towards Lilmod Ulelamed Plan professional development
growth. When you complete a course, your institution is eligible to receive 50%
reimbursement for the course. Friedman CJE subsidy and reimbursement for courses
is limited to 10 so register early!
All courses that are less than 10 hours will require some additional work, to be
determined with your education director, in order to be applied. Pre-approval is required.
To learn more, contact Robyn Hurvitz, Director of Professional Development,
[email protected] 561-209-2621 or Lynne Lieberman, Senior Director,
[email protected] 561-209-2606
The tuition for our online classes is $75 per three week class and $100 per four week class.
Please visit our website www.gratz.edu/NEXT to register. Look for the Palm Beaches registration section.
New Excellent Teacher Training