On Friday November 2, the full faculty of Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy and Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School gathered for a day of learning and professional development. No classes met that day, and, instead, a plenary lecture, departments meetings with academic foci and a variety of workshops engaged the teachers in their own study.

The plenary presenter was Dr. Erica Lander Miller, a psychologist in private practice in Florham Park who works with children and adolescents. Her topic was anxiety and how it affects students and their work. Dr Miller also led two follow-up sessions, looking at strategies for teachers to use when they are working with anxious students.

The faculty met in department teams, each of which had a topic for study. The middle and high school Hebrew departments examined ways to foster oral communication in the students. Middle school math did a group grading and assessment session, in which teachers discussed the decisions that comprise grading. High school math discussed the important work of Jo Boaler at Stanford University and how to adapt it to the school’s calendar and needs. HS Talmud and Tanach studied teaching mitzvot, and middle and high school humanities and English met to develop a style book on how to write at JKHA/RKYHS.

The day ended with workshops. Teacher led workshops included: design thinking for lessons; crafting excellent multiple choice questions; creating interdisciplinary opportunities; music and spirituality. Outside experts included Rabbi Jay Goldmintz on tefilla; Rebecca Wanatick, of Metrowest Able, on students’ sensory learning and sensory processing in the classroom; Shira Heller, from the Manhattan Day School, on homework; and Jan Platt on Learning Without Tears and Handwriting Without Tears.