With the room set up in a “U” shape to promote conversation and the robust exchange of thoughts and ideas, faculty of the Rav Teitz Mesivta Academy gathered last week for a day of professional development.

The agenda was designed to further explore and expand the division’s commitment to a growth mindset and focused on the RTMA’s mission, “Together we live AboveTheCode. Guided by the Torah, we passionately pursue excellence through engagement, reflection and growth.”

Data gathered from student, faculty and parent focus groups related to the mission was presented and discussed as far as how the words are actualized in the classrooms on a day to day basis.

“To be reflective as a group, as we say in our mission statement, is what we are all about,” said Rabbi Sharir Yablonsky, RTMA Middle School associate principal, who ran the session. “Reflection and a growth mindset complement one another and are literally what we worked on that day.”

Modules were presented by other faculty members reflecting the various departments within the school. The faculty broke up into their individual PLCs (professional learning community groups) to assess what had been accomplished, what areas were still in need of improvement and determine which areas they would look at next for further development and enhancement.

“It was very refreshing and invigorating to work with such a fine group of educators who continuously reflect on ways to be better and better,” concluded Rabbi Yablonsky.