Creating A Year of Growth
The week before school began, our teachers gathered for Chaviva’s annual Staff Orientation, launching our ninth year with the theme “Naaseh Adam – Creation of Self: Transforming Raw Potential into Meaningful Achievement.”
We kicked off with our first-ever Staff Chopped Competition, as teachers worked together to transform a collection of raw ingredients into delicious dishes. From there, Mrs. Berkowitz introduced “A Year of Development,” our framework for connecting the four stages of child development with the lessons we hope to bring into our classrooms throughout the year. Our first quarter draws inspiration from infancy, focusing on building trust, safety, and non-judgmental acceptance.
Mrs. Fleksher’s presentation, “Stages of Development and Education,” allowed teachers to experience a variety of student-centered learning activities while exploring how we can best teach and connect with the adolescent brain.
On the second day, teachers reflected on the different stages of their own teaching journeys before turning to the practical work of preparing for the year ahead. The day included a review of school policies and procedures, classroom standards, curriculum and lesson planning, and this year’s points of emphasis.
We are grateful for a faculty that approaches teaching as a lifelong process of learning, growing, and creating. We look forward to beginning another year together!
