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2024 Paradigm Project Conference
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Monday, November 11
 

9:00am EST

"They're not Just Cute!: Creating a Culture of Inquiry in the Infant-Toddler Classroom"
Monday November 11, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 3
The first three years of a child’s life are a period of exceptionally rapid brain development, and educators in infant and toddler classrooms have a unique opportunity to create an environment that promotes nurturing and meaningful experiences. This session will delve into the essential strategies for fostering an environment that nurtures the innate curiosity of infants and toddlers.  
Speakers
avatar for Miryam Buchler

Miryam Buchler

Assistant Director, Barbara and Jack Kay Early Childhood Learning Center
Miryam Buchler was born and raised in Morocco. At the age of 17, she moved to New York to earn a Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education and later on a Master's degree in Special Education. Miryam's experience encompasses teaching typically and atypically developing children... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 3
  Monday Session

9:00am EST

A Taste of Intergenerational Learning
Monday November 11, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am EST
Lodge Aleph Lower Level Meeting Room Daled
The How and What How can early childhood educators facilitate deep intergenerational relationships? This session will focus on answering this questions with practical examples, resources, and strategies that you can begin to implement the next day. Participants will leave this session with a toolbox of concrete ideas for launching or deepening their own intergenerational programming.

Speakers
avatar for Diana Ganger

Diana Ganger

Coach and Consultant in Organizational and Educational settings, DG1818Consultant
Diana Ganger, M.S.W., works as a coach and consultant in Organizational and Educational settings. A long-time Jewish educator, she was a graduate of the Wexner Heritage Foundation and is a recipient of the 2008 Covenant Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. She made aliyah to... Read More →
avatar for Sharon Goldman

Sharon Goldman

Director of Communications, Ideal18
Sharon Goldman, JD is the Director of IDEAL18 NFP, facilitating the creation of high quality intergenerational programs, and has published articles on intergenerational work. She began as a Teach for America Corps member in St. Louis. Witnessing education disparity led her to complete... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am EST
Lodge Aleph Lower Level Meeting Room Daled
  Monday Session

9:00am EST

Dan
Monday November 11, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am EST
Nesiya 6A
Speakers
DT
Monday November 11, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am EST
Nesiya 6A
  Monday Session

9:00am EST

Ethical Dilemmas and Approaches for Jewish Early Childhood Educators
Monday November 11, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 4
Ethical Dilemmas and Approaches for Jewish Early Childhood Educators - This session will explore ethical dilemmas that Jewish early childhood educators often face in balancing cultural traditions, developmental appropriateness, and individual family expectations. Through a series of real-life scenarios, participants will engage in discussions and collaborative problem-solving activities to develop strategies for addressing these challenges. Emphasis will be placed on understanding diverse perspectives, fostering inclusivity, and ensuring the well-being of all children. Educators will leave with practical tools and frameworks to navigate ethical situations with sensitivity and professionalism in their classrooms.
Speakers
avatar for Meir Muller

Meir Muller

Rabbi Dr. Muller is an associate professor at the College of Education, University of South Carolina. His research focuses on combating antisemitism in education, anti-racist pedagogies, Pro-Blackness, and Jewish early childhood education. He led the development of South Carolina’s... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 4
  Monday Session

9:00am EST

Leadership Matters: What's Trust Got to Do with It?
Monday November 11, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 2
Speakers
avatar for Lyndall Miller

Lyndall Miller

Director of the Jewish Early Childhood Education Leadership Institute (JECELI), JECELI
Lyndall Miller, Ed.D., is the past Director of the Jewish Early Childhood Education Leadership Institute (JECELI), an intensive JTS professional learning community program Dr. Miller holds a Doctorate in Jewish Education and Master’s degrees in Leadership in Early Childhood Education... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 2
  Monday Session

9:00am EST

Nature Walk: Exploring Learning Spaces Outside
Monday November 11, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am EST
Dining Hall Lower Level Lounge
Are you curious about getting outside and connecting with nature? Do you feel at ease among the earth and trees, or is this something you would like to cultivate within yourself? Our world is full of awe waiting to be discovered and we are already equipped with all that we need to explore. Inquiry and wonder are innate within us. In this session, surrounded by nature, we will ask questions, share and learn from one another so we can either get started exploring outside and all that nature offers for us to learn and/or we can expand what we already know and learn new ideas to try out on our next journey.  We will explore how to ‘hold learning and exploring spaces’ outside of the four walls of our schools and classrooms, and set boundaries to feel safe in an open space. Sara will share what signals and cues can be used with children, what materials we can bring to supplement our experiences, how can we anticipate scenarios that might unfold, and what systems and supports can we have in place to feel comfortable and confident. Let’s allow ourselves to come to a space where we can follow the lead of the children.

Speakers
SL

Sara Lashbrook

Sara’s own sense of wonder, inquiry and contemplation have been driving forces on her journey of self-discovery. Her roles as a student, teacher, facilitator, guide, consultant, listener and witness in various settings, both public and private, inside four walls and with nature... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am EST
Dining Hall Lower Level Lounge
  Monday Session

9:00am EST

Situational Awareness
Monday November 11, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am EST
Nesiya Board Room
Our Situational Awareness Training is a vital resource for individuals and professionals seeking to elevate their awareness and responsiveness in various environments. This program goes beyond the basics, offering a comprehensive understanding of situational awareness and its application in real-world scenarios. Participants will delve into the principles of observation, risk assessment, and effective decision-making. Through immersive exercises and simulations, attendees will sharpen their perception skills, learn to identify potential threats, and develop strategies for proactive response. This training is invaluable for security professionals, first responders, and anyone keen on fostering a heightened sense of awareness in their daily lives. Join us to master the art of situational awareness – a skill that not only enhances personal safety but also contributes to creating secure and resilient communities.
Speakers
SH

Shay HaLevi

Shay’s career began as an IDF Lieutenant in the Landmines and Explosive Unit, progressing to Master Sergeant in the Israeli Special Police Force (Lahav 433), specializing as an undercover detective. Over a decade, he gained experience in offensive and defensive training, developing... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am EST
Nesiya Board Room
  Monday Session

9:00am EST

Transform Your Practice through Intentional Teaching: Our Roots, Our Future
Monday November 11, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am EST
Nesiya 6B
This introduction to four crucial intentions of a complementary curriculum approach will ground educator work in important early childhood legacies and new ways of thinking about them. Participants will reflect, with prompts and provocations, on their beliefs about how children learn and be introduced to four intentional teaching strategies that inspire new ways of working with young children to support self-regulation, independence, collaboration, and joy. Together we will learn about the importance of designing compelling experiences, modeling for discovery, scaffolding learning, and what it means to follow children's interests.  
Speakers
LK

Lisa Kuh

Lisa Kuh, Ph.D. is the Program Director at the Sheva Center, the early childhood department of the JCC Association of North America. She has served early childhood communities as a classroom teacher, teacher educator, instructional coach, university professor, researcher, and professional... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 9:00am - 10:15am EST
Nesiya 6B
  Monday Session

10:30am EST

Rethinking Discipline: Building Connection and Emotional Awareness
Monday November 11, 2024 10:30am - 12:00pm EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 4
Speakers
YS

Yehudis Smith

Yehudis Smith is the Director of Early Childhood at CAJE Miami, where she supports a network of 30 Jewish ECE programs throughout Miami-Dade. She is also an independent ECE consultant, teacher mentor, and child development specialist. Yehudis spent over 15 years in the classroom teaching... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 10:30am - 12:00pm EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 4
  Monday Session

10:45am EST

Awakened to Reggio Description:
Monday November 11, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 2
Educators from all over the world are flocking to Reggio Emilia to deepen their early childhood practice. But why Reggio Emilia? Come hear about the Reggio Approach’s origin, evolution and alignment with best practices in ECE and Judaic values. We will share reflections from study tours in Reggio Emilia and examples of how educators who traveled to Reggio were inspired to transform their own teaching environments.  

Speakers
avatar for Mara Bier

Mara Bier

Chair and Program Director
Mara is currently an Educational Consultant livingin Rockville, Maryland. She has a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Special Needs and Community Leadership. She has been in the field of Jewish Early Childhood Education for 37 years. Mara was the Director of Early Childhood at the... Read More →
AB
SL

Sandy Lanes

Sandy Lanes is a pedagogical consultant specializing in early childhood progressive education, working with schools nationally and abroad. She was the Curriculum Director at the Bender JCC of Greater Washington ECC in Rockville, Maryland for 13 years, which she helped to transform... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 2
  Monday Session

10:45am EST

Dan
Monday November 11, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm EST
Nesiya 6A
Speakers
DT
Monday November 11, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm EST
Nesiya 6A
  Monday Session

10:45am EST

Emergency Procedures
Monday November 11, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm EST
Nesiya Board Room
Equip your school community with the knowledge and preparedness needed to navigate unforeseen challenges with our Comprehensive School Emergency Procedures Training. In this tailored program, participants will gain a deep understanding of emergency response protocols, crisis management strategies, and effective communication techniques. Our expert trainers will cover a spectrum of scenarios, from natural disasters to security threats, ensuring that educators, staff, and students are well-prepared to respond swiftly and confidently. Prioritize safety in your school environment – join us for a training that empowers your community to act effectively in times of need.
Speakers
SH

Shay HaLevi

Shay’s career began as an IDF Lieutenant in the Landmines and Explosive Unit, progressing to Master Sergeant in the Israeli Special Police Force (Lahav 433), specializing as an undercover detective. Over a decade, he gained experience in offensive and defensive training, developing... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm EST
Nesiya Board Room
  Monday Session

10:45am EST

How Do Infants and Toddlers Learn? (Part 1)
Monday November 11, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 3
Unveiling Schemas Young children make sense of the world through repeated patterns of behavior known as schemas. By identifying and understanding these cognitive patterns, educators can connect with infants and toddlers on a deeper level and more effectively support their developmental needs.
Speakers
avatar for Miryam Buchler

Miryam Buchler

Assistant Director, Barbara and Jack Kay Early Childhood Learning Center
Miryam Buchler was born and raised in Morocco. At the age of 17, she moved to New York to earn a Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education and later on a Master's degree in Special Education. Miryam's experience encompasses teaching typically and atypically developing children... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 3
  Monday Session

10:45am EST

Navigating Resistance to Change
Monday November 11, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm EST
Lodge Aleph Lower Level Meeting Room Hay
The very idea of change, whether navigating it as an individual, a team, or an organization, can be very challenging and brings up a host of feelings for folks. In order to support participants to better understand what might be getting activated for them when approached with the possibility of a transition, it is important for them to identify, explore, and push through assumptions, challenges, and self-doubts that may be getting in the way of their success.  This highly interactive workshop focused on self-exploration is based on the theory of “Immunity to Change” (Kegan and Lahey, 2009). Participants will leave with a clear understanding of which behaviors, beliefs, and competing commitments may be at odds with their progress and how to move past them in order to reach their personal and professional goals.  
Speakers
avatar for Marissa Lifshen Steinberger

Marissa Lifshen Steinberger

Founder, Coach + Facilitator, One Eleven Leadership
As the Founder of One Eleven Leadership, Marissa Lifshen Steinberger (she/her) provides coaching, training, and facilitation services to mission-driven individuals, leaders, and teams to elevate professional impact and enhance personal fulfillment. She has more than 20 years of experience... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm EST
Lodge Aleph Lower Level Meeting Room Hay
  Monday Session

10:45am EST

Shabbat is for Everyone: Cultivating Belonging Through Our Shabbat Practices:
Monday November 11, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm EST
Nesiya 6B
Shabbat, a joyous and celebratory day of rest, reflection, and renewal, plays a foundational role in the rhythm of Jewish life and Jewish early childhood education. In this reflective and interactive session, participants will explore how early childhood Shabbat practices can cultivate belonging and honor the diversity and uniqueness of each family and community. Together, we will challenge assumptions and norms and explore practical strategies for centering children in our Shabbat practices as we develop enriching opportunities that elevate the values and rituals of Shabbat.

Speakers
avatar for Ilana Dvorin Friedman

Ilana Dvorin Friedman

Dr. Ilana Dvorin Friedman is the Director of Early Childhood Advocacy and Strategy at the Jewish United Fund (JUF) in Chicago. Her professional and research interests include early childhood Jewish education, child care advocacy, and social justice and critical pedagogies. For more... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm EST
Nesiya 6B
  Monday Session

10:45am EST

Trees & Me Through a Jewish Lens
Monday November 11, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm EST
Dining Hall Lower Level Lounge
Using Projects Learning Tree “Tree’s & Me: Activities for Exploring Nature with Young Children” is a great way to spark learning about trees and forest for young children. The activities and experiences in this guide help to build knowledge around tree related concepts and correlates well with the value and importance trees and the environment are in Jewish culture. 
Speakers
avatar for Dawn Kowal

Dawn Kowal

Dawn is the Judaic Educator and Atelierista/Pedagogista at the Weinstein Jewish Community Center Preschool in Richmond, VA. She began working at the JCC in 1996 as a teacher of 3 year olds and mom of a 2 year old in the program. She has made the JCC her community and her home ever... Read More →
avatar for Tarneshia Evans

Tarneshia Evans

Tarneshia Evans is an experienced educator and advocate for nature-based early childhoodeducation and has been working in the field of education for over 25 years. Previously Tarneshiawas a Children’s Program Developer for Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, VA, and aRecreation... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 10:45am - 12:00pm EST
Dining Hall Lower Level Lounge
  Monday Session

1:45pm EST

A taste of Intergenerational Learning: The Why
Monday November 11, 2024 1:45pm - 3:00pm EST
Lodge Aleph Lower Level Meeting Room Daled
How can early childhood educators and administrators create community, facilitate anti-bias work, and promote health and empathy on a day-to-day basis? What is the impact of ageism, and what does dispelling ageism look like with young children? This session will focus on answering these questions with research-based resources, practical examples, and stories that participants can bring back and use in their own contex
Speakers
avatar for Diana Ganger

Diana Ganger

Coach and Consultant in Organizational and Educational settings, DG1818Consultant
Diana Ganger, M.S.W., works as a coach and consultant in Organizational and Educational settings. A long-time Jewish educator, she was a graduate of the Wexner Heritage Foundation and is a recipient of the 2008 Covenant Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. She made aliyah to... Read More →
avatar for Sharon Goldman

Sharon Goldman

Director of Communications, Ideal18
Sharon Goldman, JD is the Director of IDEAL18 NFP, facilitating the creation of high quality intergenerational programs, and has published articles on intergenerational work. She began as a Teach for America Corps member in St. Louis. Witnessing education disparity led her to complete... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 1:45pm - 3:00pm EST
Lodge Aleph Lower Level Meeting Room Daled
  Monday Session

1:45pm EST

Connections and Relationships – A New Paradigm of Experiential Learning
Monday November 11, 2024 1:45pm - 3:00pm EST
Nesiya 6A
I am excited to share, for the first time, an innovative paradigm of experiential education that will change the way you think about learning and growth in our youngest learners.  This paradigm recognizes the fundamental need for children to feel a deep connection to their experience. This connection is the key to unlocking meaningful learning and the development of rich, long-lasting relationships to experiences.  
In this session, we will dive into the heart of the paradigm. You will discover how students cultivate one or more of the four possible relationships with any given learning experience - and the five different ways they connect to these relationships. Participants who want to see how this paradigm shaped the development of an actual curriculum may wish to sign up for my second session, “The Completely Outdoor Experiential Curriculum for Children Ages 4-6.”

Speakers
avatar for Gabe Goldman

Gabe Goldman

Founder and Director, Outdoor Jewish Classroom
I have been a Jewish educator for half a century - 10 years as a curriculum director and the next 40 developing the field of Jewish experiential and nature education.  I've had the opportunity to teach over 50,000 students of all ages in every conceivable setting. For the past 8... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 1:45pm - 3:00pm EST
Nesiya 6A
  Monday Session

1:45pm EST

How Do Infants and Toddlers Learn? (Part 2)
Monday November 11, 2024 1:45pm - 3:00pm EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 3
Unveiling Schemas Young children make sense of the world through repeated patterns of behavior known as schemas. By identifying and understanding these cognitive patterns, educators can connect with infants and toddlers on a deeper level and more effectively support their developmental needs.
Speakers
avatar for Miryam Buchler

Miryam Buchler

Assistant Director, Barbara and Jack Kay Early Childhood Learning Center
Miryam Buchler was born and raised in Morocco. At the age of 17, she moved to New York to earn a Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education and later on a Master's degree in Special Education. Miryam's experience encompasses teaching typically and atypically developing children... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 1:45pm - 3:00pm EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 3
  Monday Session

1:45pm EST

Leading from the Inside Out
Monday November 11, 2024 1:45pm - 3:00pm EST
Lodge Aleph Lower Level Meeting Room Hay
Burnout has reached epidemic proportions, which is contributing to low morale, high turnover, and a general feeling of disconnect for many people, especially those who work in education. A values-aligned approach is an empowering way to address this issue and enable folks to stay "above the line" when making decisions. During this workshop, participants will engage in a reflective exercise to identify their salient values,  learn the art and science of making effective requests, and establish - and maintain - better boundaries by getting more clear on their intentions.  
Speakers
avatar for Marissa Lifshen Steinberger

Marissa Lifshen Steinberger

Founder, Coach + Facilitator, One Eleven Leadership
As the Founder of One Eleven Leadership, Marissa Lifshen Steinberger (she/her) provides coaching, training, and facilitation services to mission-driven individuals, leaders, and teams to elevate professional impact and enhance personal fulfillment. She has more than 20 years of experience... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 1:45pm - 3:00pm EST
Lodge Aleph Lower Level Meeting Room Hay
  Monday Session

1:45pm EST

Navigating Conversations: Addressing Israel and Antisemitism in Your Preschool Community -
Monday November 11, 2024 1:45pm - 3:00pm EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 4
In this interactive session, Jewish early childhood educators will have the opportunity to tackle questions about Israel and antisemitism that might be raised by their preschool community, including board members, parents, colleagues, and children. The focus will be on gaining a deeper understanding of responses to these complicated topics. Participants will work in small groups, using provided questions to consider responses. Afterward, groups will share their insights, successes, and the challenges they encountered. The session will conclude with a shared strategy for effective communication on these sensitive topics.
Speakers
avatar for Meir Muller

Meir Muller

Rabbi Dr. Muller is an associate professor at the College of Education, University of South Carolina. His research focuses on combating antisemitism in education, anti-racist pedagogies, Pro-Blackness, and Jewish early childhood education. He led the development of South Carolina’s... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 1:45pm - 3:00pm EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 4
  Monday Session

1:45pm EST

Passover Haggadah Through the Hundred Languages
Monday November 11, 2024 1:45pm - 3:00pm EST
Nesiya 6B
A journey of making learning visible through the art of documentation
Speakers
avatar for Rena Grosser

Rena Grosser

Early Childhood Educator, Paradigm Project
Rena Grosser is an Early Childhood Educator at Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School and has a background in Art Therapy. Rena is also a mixed media artist and believes in the creative process as a model and tool for self expression and exploration. She resides with her family in the... Read More →
avatar for Marthe Spizman

Marthe Spizman

The Reflective Teacher Podcast
Marthe and Lindsey Co-teach in a Pre-K classroom in Chicago, IL. They are co-hosts of the podcast The Reflective Teacher Podcast.
Monday November 11, 2024 1:45pm - 3:00pm EST
Nesiya 6B
  Monday Session

1:45pm EST

What!!! Where???-Rebuilding Jewish Life and Identity in Eastern Europe by Strengthening Jewish Preschools
Monday November 11, 2024 1:45pm - 3:00pm EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 2
Join our session and discover the non-profit organization SOS International that is working with Jewish Preschools in Warsaw and Krakow Poland, Budapest Hungary, Sofia Bulgaria, and Bucharest, Romania as we provide professional development to strengthen their pedagogical approach and increase their family engagement. Learn about the viarios SOS Morim programs that have been conducted from Mara Bier, Program Lead and Steering Committee Chair, Alan Reinitz, Founder and CEO and Mentors: Sandy Lanes, Lyndall Miller, Mykenzie Busser, and Alex Band Hear reports from our and  words  from the educators in Eastern Europe. Discover how we are supporting and rebuilding Jewish Life through Jewish preschools. Come to learn about this incredible program and the effect is is having in Eastern Europe.

Speakers
avatar for Mara Bier

Mara Bier

Chair and Program Director
Mara is currently an Educational Consultant livingin Rockville, Maryland. She has a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Special Needs and Community Leadership. She has been in the field of Jewish Early Childhood Education for 37 years. Mara was the Director of Early Childhood at the... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 1:45pm - 3:00pm EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 2
  Monday Session

3:30pm EST

Erika
Monday November 11, 2024 3:30pm - 4:45pm EST
Lodge Aleph Lower Level Meeting Room Hay
Monday November 11, 2024 3:30pm - 4:45pm EST
Lodge Aleph Lower Level Meeting Room Hay
  Monday Session

3:30pm EST

Introducing STEM Materials through a Social Emotional Lens (Kodo Kids)
Monday November 11, 2024 3:30pm - 4:45pm EST
Nesiya 6B
We will explore the Social Emotional Learning that takes place when we introduce materials that are typically used to foster STEM experiences.  We will discover how STEM experiences are a great opportunities to support social emotional learning, including regulation, communication, peer-to-peer interactions and more.  We will also explore how Jewish values and concepts can connect to STEM and social emotional learning.  
Speakers
ND

Natalie Drucker Bosco

Natalie is an educational consultant, coach and trainer based in Denver, Colorado.  She loves going on adventures with her husband, two children  and energetic goldendoodle.  She has worked with a variety of Jewish and secular educational institutions. Natalie serves as a pedagogical... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 3:30pm - 4:45pm EST
Nesiya 6B
  Monday Session

3:30pm EST

Noah
Monday November 11, 2024 3:30pm - 4:45pm EST
Lodge Aleph Lower Level Meeting Room Daled
Monday November 11, 2024 3:30pm - 4:45pm EST
Lodge Aleph Lower Level Meeting Room Daled
  Monday Session

3:30pm EST

Rethinking Discipline: Building Connection and Emotional Awareness
Monday November 11, 2024 3:30pm - 4:45pm EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 3
Speakers
YS

Yehudis Smith

Yehudis Smith is the Director of Early Childhood at CAJE Miami, where she supports a network of 30 Jewish ECE programs throughout Miami-Dade. She is also an independent ECE consultant, teacher mentor, and child development specialist. Yehudis spent over 15 years in the classroom teaching... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 3:30pm - 4:45pm EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 3
  Monday Session

3:30pm EST

Sensory Storytelling Studio for Infant/Toddler Teachers
Monday November 11, 2024 3:30pm - 4:45pm EST
Dining Hall Lower Level Lounge
How can you use theatrical techniques to captivate babies and toddlers? In this hands-on workshop, we will explore the use of sensory objects, sound, light, and movement to create immersive theatrical experiences designed for our youngest leaders. Inspired by the international field of Theater for the Very Young, educators will gain tools for transforming the classroom into a theatrical sensory playground. We will also explore ways to use these techniques to introduce the sights, sounds, and textures of Jewish stories in infant/toddler programs.
Speakers
avatar for Jonathan Shmidt Chapman

Jonathan Shmidt Chapman

Jonathan Shmidt Chapman is an award-winning artist, writer, and Jewish educator. As the founder of the K’ilu Company, Jonathan reimagines Jewish early childhood through theater and play. His book Let There Be Play: Bringing the Bible to Life with Young Children was recently published... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 3:30pm - 4:45pm EST
Dining Hall Lower Level Lounge
  Monday Session

3:30pm EST

The Completely Outdoor Experiential Curriculum for Children Ages 4-6
Monday November 11, 2024 3:30pm - 4:45pm EST
Nesiya 6A
This is a new curriculum that includes dozens of outdoor natural experiences for all seasons.  These experiences are categorized by the five ways that children develop relationships with nature – through appreciation of beauty; exploration; experimentation; observation; and learning new knowledge or skills.  The use of QR Codes and basic nature of the curriculum's activities makes it possible for parents and teachers to use the curriculum immediately - without prior nature knowledge, outdoor teaching experience or curriculum training.  This is a hands-on workshop with participants actively engaging in select experiences from the curriculum      Participants may wish to sign up for my other session, “Connections and Relationships: A New Paradigm of Experiential Learning,” to gain a broader understanding of the paradigm underlying the curriculum design.  

Speakers
avatar for Gabe Goldman

Gabe Goldman

Founder and Director, Outdoor Jewish Classroom
I have been a Jewish educator for half a century - 10 years as a curriculum director and the next 40 developing the field of Jewish experiential and nature education.  I've had the opportunity to teach over 50,000 students of all ages in every conceivable setting. For the past 8... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 3:30pm - 4:45pm EST
Nesiya 6A
  Monday Session

3:30pm EST

What Should We Tell the Children: Early Childhood Jewish Education Teachers Respond to October 7
Monday November 11, 2024 3:30pm - 4:45pm EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 4
Join us for an insightful session based on research conducted in six early childhood classrooms over the two and a half months following October 7th. This session will provide practical strategies and valuable insights into how early childhood Jewish education teachers supported young children in processing information about the war in Israel. Attendees will learn about approaches that addressed both the cognitive understanding and emotional well-being of the children. We will also explore the factors that have bolstered the teachers' personal emotional well-being during these challenging times. Presenters: Meir Muller, Lyndall Miller, and Alana Gelnick (or I can present alone if they do not attend)

Speakers
avatar for Lyndall Miller

Lyndall Miller

Director of the Jewish Early Childhood Education Leadership Institute (JECELI), JECELI
Lyndall Miller, Ed.D., is the past Director of the Jewish Early Childhood Education Leadership Institute (JECELI), an intensive JTS professional learning community program Dr. Miller holds a Doctorate in Jewish Education and Master’s degrees in Leadership in Early Childhood Education... Read More →
avatar for Meir Muller

Meir Muller

Rabbi Dr. Muller is an associate professor at the College of Education, University of South Carolina. His research focuses on combating antisemitism in education, anti-racist pedagogies, Pro-Blackness, and Jewish early childhood education. He led the development of South Carolina’s... Read More →
AG
Monday November 11, 2024 3:30pm - 4:45pm EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 4
  Monday Session

5:00pm EST

I shopped in the trailer...now what???
Monday November 11, 2024 5:00pm - 6:00pm EST
Nesiya 6A/B
Monday November 11, 2024 5:00pm - 6:00pm EST
Nesiya 6A/B
  Monday Session

5:00pm EST

Orchard Partners
Monday November 11, 2024 5:00pm - 6:00pm EST
Nesiya Board Room
Speakers
KW
Monday November 11, 2024 5:00pm - 6:00pm EST
Nesiya Board Room
  Monday Session

7:15pm EST

Breath by Breath: Bringing Yoga and Mindfulness into the Lives of Children
Monday November 11, 2024 7:15pm - 8:30pm EST
Nesiya 6A
This workshop, based on Nancy’s recently published book with the same title, offers educators fun, age appropriate yoga and mindfulness calming strategies to bring into their classrooms. Through an evidence-based and playful lens participants will learn:
• Games, exercises, and activities that can be implemented into the classroom
• Practical ways to promote group cohesion
• Tools and techniques to be used during transition times
• Ways to modulate energy in the classroom
• Exploration of the power and value of silence and stillness in the classroom
• Relaxation and calming techniques for stress relief for both teachers and students
• The value of group team building playfulness
• Classroom engagement tools to foster safety in the classroom
Speakers
avatar for Nancy Siegel

Nancy Siegel

Nancy Siegel Consulting
Nancy is a nationally recognized presenter, trainer and instructor in mindfulness and children’s yoga.  She has more than 25 years of experience practicing yoga, mindfulness and teaching children’s yoga.  She began her career in the early childhood classroom and currently is... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 7:15pm - 8:30pm EST
Nesiya 6A
  Monday Session

7:15pm EST

Coach-in-Residence AMA (Ask Me Anything)
Monday November 11, 2024 7:15pm - 8:30pm EST
Nesiya Board Room
This informal session provides an open space for participants to ask our Coach-in-Residence, Marissa Lifshen Steinberger, anything that is top of mind. Whether you are looking for some support on handling a challenging situation at work or thinking about what might be next in your professional journey, you are invited to join this session with Marissa and other participants for encouragement, questions to consider, and tools to take back home.  
Speakers
avatar for Marissa Lifshen Steinberger

Marissa Lifshen Steinberger

Founder, Coach + Facilitator, One Eleven Leadership
As the Founder of One Eleven Leadership, Marissa Lifshen Steinberger (she/her) provides coaching, training, and facilitation services to mission-driven individuals, leaders, and teams to elevate professional impact and enhance personal fulfillment. She has more than 20 years of experience... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 7:15pm - 8:30pm EST
Nesiya Board Room
  Monday Session

7:15pm EST

Let There Be Play: Exploring Jewish Stories and Torah in Early Childhood
Monday November 11, 2024 7:15pm - 8:30pm EST
Nesiya 6B
How can the Torah become a playground for imagination, creativity, and connection for young children? Inspired by Jonathan's book Let There Be Play: Bringing the Bible to Life with Young Children, this hands-on workshop will guide early childhood educators in using play as a way to explore Jewish tradition. Each week of the year, Jewish communities around the world read a section of the Torah, making their way through the entire core text before beginning again. How can this framework provide early childhood classrooms with an opportunity to spark creativity, act out big adventures, and play together using the weekly Torah portion as the catalyst? Jonathan will provide an accessible, inclusive, hands-on, easy-to-follow approach that offers all ECC educators a new way to discover Jewish stories together.

Speakers
avatar for Jonathan Shmidt Chapman

Jonathan Shmidt Chapman

Jonathan Shmidt Chapman is an award-winning artist, writer, and Jewish educator. As the founder of the K’ilu Company, Jonathan reimagines Jewish early childhood through theater and play. His book Let There Be Play: Bringing the Bible to Life with Young Children was recently published... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 7:15pm - 8:30pm EST
Nesiya 6B
  Monday Session

7:15pm EST

Stories From the Field Workshop
Monday November 11, 2024 7:15pm - 8:30pm EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 2
Speakers
LP
avatar for Eliana Eshel

Eliana Eshel

Born and raised in Israel, Eli Eshel is a graduate of stage design studies from Seminar Hakibutzim College and has worked with a variety of theaters in Israel. Eli has taught puppetry and arts and crafts at the Israeli American Embassy school in Israel for elementary age students... Read More →
Monday November 11, 2024 7:15pm - 8:30pm EST
Nesiya Meeting Room 2
  Monday Session
 
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Ohr Kodesh Congregation
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