As early-childhood educators, we are always defending the value of play. It’s often underestimated and overlooked as a critical skill for children to develop during early childhood.
Director's Review Week of November 26, 2019 / 28 Cheshvan 5780 How to Raise a Mitzvah Maker
Spending Mitzvah Day with the PAS community left me thinking about the ways we encourage children to give and to care. Our school and the entire PAS community places significant emphasis on inspiring these qualities in learners from early childhood to adulthood.
Week of October 28, 2019 / 29 Tishri 5780 Bravery, Grit, Resilience What Happens When Educators Trust Their Students?
When educators trust their students, there will be bathroom chains. Let me explain. As you know, our educational philosophy and mission in the ECC is informed by the Project Approach.
Week of September 30, 2019 / 1 Tishri 5780 Bravery, Grit, Resilience
Today I would like to dive deeper into the conversation about bravery that I began at our Separation Meeting in early September.
Week of May 15, 2019 / 10 Iyyar 5779 Not If But When
During faculty orientation my second year as Director of PASECC, Rabbi Zuckerman turned to the educators and shared a wish: He wished that our children would no longer ask if they would travel to Israel, but rather would wonder when they would travel to Israel.
Week of April 15, 2019 / 10 Nisan 5779 Growing Our Children’s Brains
The first time I heard the term “helicopter” applied to parenting, I shuddered and vowed to myself, “I will never helicopter over my children.
Week of March 25, 2019 / 20 Adar II 5779 Being an Educator: A Lifelong Learning Journey
Exceptional educators constantly reflect, listen, and seek to learn more about best practices from research and observing their colleagues. PASECC educators are no exception; they are never content simply to rewind what they have done in the past.
Week of February 25, 2019 / 20 Adar 1 5779 Mindfulness in Education and Parenting
In the past two years, I have written about the practice of mindfulness and how it has impacted my life personally and professionally. A huge inspiration has been the work I have done with Larry Schwartz both on my own and with my staff.
Week of January 28, 2019 / 22 Shevat 5779 Inclusion in the PASECC
The Jewish community designates the month February as JDAIM, Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month.
Week of January 14, 2019 / 8 Shevat 5779 Tefillah Moments Wherever We Are
There’s no question that when we introduced tefillah (prayer) as part of our morning ritual in the PASECC, our first thought was to strengthen the children’s connection to Judaism. At the same time, we know that tefillah can be a mindful moment for everyone, of all ages.