Contact:
Director of Westchester Services, Irene Lustgarten
Coordinator of Educational Resources, Susan Tessel
Coordinator of Educational Services, Miriam Berk
Early Childhood Associate, Jo Kellman
Administrative Assistant, Patti Gibson

Teaching and Learning 2007-2008 Westchester Center Calendar

B’YACHAD: A Course in Basic Principles of Education for Novice Teachers

This 14 –session course begins on December 5, 2007. It gives new teachers a foundation in pedagogy and the confidence to effectively provide meaningful learning experiences for students and their families. In year two, teachers participate in B’YACHAD Plus.

 

M’GaMa: Mentors Guiding Mentees

Over the course of a full school year, novice teachers are matched with trained, experienced mentors. Through face-to-face meetings, on-site visits, phone calls and e-mails, the teams work together to help the new teachers strengthen their classroom teaching skills and to better facilitate student learning.

 

Seminars for Facilities

BJE staff, in partnership with school leadership, designs and presents learning sessions for entire faculties. Seminars take place either on-site or at the BJE Westchester Center.

Torah Lishma’; Learning for its Own Sake

The Westchester Jewish Conference/BJE Adult Education Internet Directory

A listing of the adult education/lifelong Jewish learning opportunities throughout Westchester is available here. Information on the Me’ah and Melton programs are also available through the BJE.

Communities of Practice

BJENY-SAJES broadens knowledge of innovation by sponsoring regional communities of practice, including:

 

B`Yachad

Educational directors developing their practice of leading their educational team’s learning and growth

 

B`Yachad 2

Graduates of BJENY-SAJES’ teacher development program come together to share and reflect on their practice as professional Jewish teachers

 

Israel Education

A community of practice between Westchester and Long Island for participants in the new Modern Israel: Personal Connection to Classroom Application fellowship program

 

Family Education

Family educators reflect on their practices and learn together about their work

 

Westchester Innovation Network for Congregational Leaders

Volunteer leaders in synagogues learn about the work of opportunities in order to bring innovation to their own synagogues

Community Networks

Early Childhood Directors’ Network

BJE’s Early Childhood Associate meets throughout the school year with the directors of Jewish Early Childhood Programs in Westchester. Speakers on current topics of interest are invited to present. Jewish early childhood directors join to learn together and to improve the field of Jewish early childhood education.

 

Special Needs Roundtable

In partnership with UJA-Federation of New York/Westchester, the BJE facilitates meetings of professionals, lay leaders and parents for the purpose of improving the quality of Jewish learning for all children.

 

Teen Service Providers

BJENY-SAJES facilitates this network of professionals in agencies throughout Westchester who provide programming to Jewish teens and offers programs of professional learning to support youth workers in the development of innovative approaches in their work.

 

Westchester/Fairfield Association of Temple Educators

BJE staff supports this professional network of principals in Reform Temples who join together to learn and to improve learning in their congregations.

 

Westchester Association of Hebrew Schools

BJE staff provides professional support to this network of principals in the Conservative and Reconstructionist synagogue schools synagogues, who join together to learn and to improve learning in their congregations.

Collaborations with Local Agencies

Project SEED: Supporting Early Emotional Development

Nine Jewish Early Childhood programs participate in this project, funded by UJA-Federation of New York Westchester Program Services Cabinet. The goal is to help teachers better meet the needs of children with challenging behaviors. Westchester Jewish Community Services is our partner in this project.

 

Special Needs Roundtable

In partnership with UJA-Federation of New York Caring Commission and Westchester office, BJENY-SAJES leads the educational work of meetings of professionals, lay leaders and parents for the purpose of improving the quality of Jewish learning for all children.