SAVE THE DATE

Early-bird registration opens September 3, 2019

Mark your calendar for the 2020 ECE-RJ Kallah. You are not going to want to miss it. Early-bird registration opens September 3, 2019.
 
Join the more than 150 teachers, directors, lay-leaders, and others with an interest in early childhood programs associated with a Jewish organization in St. Louis, MO from February 19 through February 22, 2020.
 
An intentional learning environment is one that fosters activity and feedback and creates a culture that encourages metacognition, that is one in which the learner becomes aware of his/her learning process. Teachers and directors can learn to create environments suited for intentional learning and develop a reflective practice. Curriculum can be used as a blueprint to organize, plan, and create meaningful activities and experiences. [Read more]

SAVE THE DATE

URJ Biennial early-bird registration is open.

Early Bird Registration is now open for the upcoming URJ Biennial 2019 in Chicago, December 11-15. We hope our ECE-RJ friends will join us as we are planning some great learning and social opportunities for our members.

We are looking forward to kicking off the URJ Biennial 2019 learning sessions for the week on Wednesday, December 11th with the URJ Intensive: Essential Tools to Engage Families with Young Children. Creating a pipeline of congregational membership sometimes means starting with the newest members of the Jewish community: young children (and their families). The sessions in this Intensive will help your congregation create a 21st century community that sparks lives of meaning and purpose. Join expert practitioners and thought leaders to unlock the critical practices and methods necessary to engage families and individuals with young children. Learn the needs and motivations of this target group and the ways in which you can build meaningful and lasting relationships with and among them.

Next Steps:
 

• Register for the URJ 2019 Biennial
• Book your hotel room. We encourage everyone to stay at one of the two hotels connected to McCormick Place, The Marriott Marquis Chicago ($179 plus 17.4% tax) or The Hyatt Regency McCormick Place ($179 plus 17.4% tax)
• Enter the URJ Biennial 2019 Photo Contest and represent your early childhood center, congregation, and ECE-RJ!

FOR DIRECTORS: DID YOU MISS THIS?

Creating an Inclusive School Environment

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines inclusion as “the action or state of including or being included within a group or structure.” That seems simple enough. Inclusion means to include.

Yet, when we look at our schools with the intention of being inclusive, it is necessary to expand upon this definition. When you walk into your school, chances are people seem pretty included. Parents are invited into the classrooms, every child is welcomed with a smile, and the teachers are friendly with one another. So, what’s missing? Where is there room for improvement? [Read more]

FOR TEACHERS: DID YOU MISS THIS?

Questions New Teachers Should Ask

Onboarding is the process by which new hires get adjusted to the social and performance aspects of their jobs quickly and smoothly. They learn the attitudes, knowledge, skills, and behaviors required to function effectively within an organization. However, a study conducted by Richard Ingersoll found that teaching is mostly done in isolation from colleagues and supervisors.   According to the study, “This isolation can be especially difficult for newcomers, who, upon accepting a position in a school, are frequently left to succeed or fail on their own within the confines of their classrooms — often likened to a ‘lost at sea’ or ‘sink or swim’ experience.”

What can you, as a teacher, do to become more connected to your school?  Ask the questions that will allow you to really know your school. [Read more].

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

August 2019

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

2019-2020 Membership Off To A Great Start! 

Our 2019-2020 membership year has kicked off with some amazing success!

With almost 30 schools taking advantage of our special 20th-anniversary school rate so far ($120 for the year for an ENTIRE faculty) - we are poised for an amazing year together.

Teachers, you will have professional development Meet Ups just for you, access to a program bank, and a networking forum designed to give you support and inspiration for the start of a new school year.

Assistant Directors, your network is thriving, offering you the same kind of resources and development that our Directors have valued and relied on.

Directors, these opportunities are ONLY available to your team when you are a member - so join today and be part of these fantastic conversations!

Have questions?  Reach out to our VP of Membership, Lisa Samick at lsamick@templeisraelnyc.org