THE CENTER FOR PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
Answering the Call to Learn and Teach in an Entirely New Way
While building off a small existing distance learning program, in the first six months of the pandemic we were challenged to create an expansive set of virtual learning opportunities for educators that would hold onto the human-centered approach we highly value.
In the spring of 2020, we trained Jewish educators on how to pivot to distance learning. These were some of our most well-attended programs ever. And in the summer alone, we offered weekly sessions to 252 educators including “A Relational Approach to Distance Learning” and “Distance Learning for Emergent Readers.” As the year progressed, we continued to respond to rising needs, broadening our understanding of Jewish education with programs focused on Youth Mental Health.
“Our methods may have changed, but the core of our work was strengthened. Above all, we created spaces for educators to ask questions and seek answers together with their colleagues.”
– Jenni Mangel, Director of Educational Leadership
2020–21 Professional Learning Programs
- 69 educators trained on how to pivot to virtual classrooms in the Spring of 2020
- 48 coaching and customized training sessions
- 50 parents and teachers participated in a series on supporting teens through the pandemic
- 30 organizations received training, consultation or support for children with special needs
- 51 professionals trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid
- 30 educators trained in racial literacy
- 150 hours of subsidized coaching for women leaders
“I believe Jewish LearningWorks’ role in the community is to ensure our Jewish educators are equipped to effectively serve their students. Not only because of the high value Judaism places on education, but because without quality Jewish educators, the entire community is in jeopardy.”
– Rachel Halevi, Program Manager, Jewish Teen Foundation at the JCF
“Jewish LearningWorks is a community treasure as it is really the only organization in the Bay Area community that focuses intently on lifting up Jewish communal professionals. This kind of support for the field cannot be overstated.”
– Aliza Craimer Elias, Director of the Institute for Curriculum Services
