Learning often occurs outside of the classroom. Educators are constantly navigating the time crunch, finding the appropriate balance between experiential and informal learning opportunities and continued rigorous academics that allow our students to achieve academic and intellectual heights. This balance is critical to the development of a well rounded student. Nevertheless, there is never enough time to expose students to a wide and broad diversity of educational experiences that can help shape them into adults. The Senior Experience program at Ma’ayanot aims to provide opportunities to address some of the topics that can be overlooked in a typical education. As seniors contemplate life decisions for life after graduation, they are given space each week to explore aspects of adult life and discuss some of the important decisions that they will need to make this year. The weekly Senior Seminar looks different each week; students hear from experts, get hands-on experience or have facilitated discussions with their teachers.
This past week, Mrs. Keshet Starr from ORA presented to the seniors about the work of this vital organization and the halachic prenup, raising awareness about the communal goal of establishing the prenup as a norm before every wedding. Students asked thoughtful questions as they became acquainted with an important Jewish communal issue and what their role can be in the present and future. Many weeks are aimed at equipping the seniors with the tools to lead, both in school and out. In October, Mrs. Aliza Konig, director of student leadership at Yeshiva University, facilitated a leadership training session where groups of students each created proposals towards a realistic and meaningful future program to run for their underclassmen. Students were tasked with prompts to identify their audience as well as ways to motivate them to participate in the programs they created. Recently, seniors brainstormed several Israel advocacy initiatives to run both inside the school building and for the wider community. Other hands-on sessions focused specifically on exposure to skills needed in adult life, such as car mechanics and healthy eating choices sessions led by talented faculty members Mrs. Suzanne Cohen and Coach Gila (Guzman). There were also opportunities to explore timely issues of halachic obligation and religious celebration. The weekly time together has allowed faculty to engage with the senior class as a cohesive group and to develop their natural role as school leaders. As the first semester winds down, there are many seminar sessions already slated for an invigorating second semester.
As graduation approaches, the Senior Experience will take on a more immersive form. In May, regular classes for seniors will be suspended so that seniors may enjoy and learn from deeper thematic programming including intensive seminars, guest speakers and trips off campus. This capstone experience will not only provide meaningful learning through multiple modalities, but will help cement the bond of the Ma’ayanot students to their school, their teachers and, most importantly, each other as they prepare for life after high school.
Throughout the year, and as it concludes, the seniors themselves give feedback about which experiences they found personally meaningful. Opportunities for them to reflect on and articulate what they found enriching and relevant help increase the program’s success both for them and for the seniors who will follow in their footsteps. As they practice new skills, reflect on their growth and raise their voices, they will increase their ability to “adult” successfully and make a positive impact on the world around them.
