Please introduce yourself. Name, school and how long you have been a teacher
My name is Morah Rivky Eilenberg, and I work at Magen Yisrael in Long Island. I’ve been blessed with the gift of teaching for 8 years.
What are you most excited about for this upcoming school year?
When I think about the new school year, I feel a mix of excitement and nerves. I’m excited to meet my new students and grateful for the opportunity to work with Hashem’s children for another year. However, the nerves come from the high expectations I set for myself as a teacher. Even though my students are young kindergartners, I want to meet them properly and give them my very best.
What I’m most excited about is going into an environment where I know I’m making a difference. When the day is done and I clock out, I want to feel that I’ve truly accomplished something meaningful. I also really appreciate the structure that comes with the school year; it helps me stay focused and productive. Additionally, I’m excited to reconnect with my coworkers, fellow teachers, and other Mechanchim. When we’re all together, it feels like I’m part of something much bigger, and that sense of community is something I truly cherish
Are there any new programs or initiatives you’re particularly looking forward to implementing in your classroom this year?
To create an engaging and welcoming environment for young students, start by decorating the classroom door with their names and photos, which helps them feel more comfortable and recognized. Consider hanging decorations from the ceiling to uplift the atmosphere. Using a theme, like “Hashem’s precious children soaring high,” can tie everything together visually. A family photo inside the classroom, or even a photo of each child, can make them feel special and valued. These touches help create a warm and inviting space where students feel welcomed and important.
I always try to put a family photo of myself as well to show that we’re all here and we’re all in it together, including Morah.
How do you prepare your classroom for the new school year?
I really believe it’s important to start by sitting down and reviewing your schedule. From a curriculum standpoint, ask yourself: What do I need up on my wall? Then, consider the emotional and social aspects of teaching. How can I best support my students? For example, in our school, we emphasize growth mindset and social-emotional learning, so I think about what charts I want to have up that I can refer back to regularly. What are the rules for my classroom? What do I expect from my students? These are the things I focus on when setting up my classroom walls.
Also, consider accessibility. Place items where you can easily reach them when you need them. Whether it’s scissors, pens, or other supplies, saving those extra 10 seconds of searching can make a big difference. The same principle applies to your students—make sure they can easily access the things that they need, too.
What advice would you give to new or returning teachers who feel overwhelmed with classroom setup and the pressure to have everything perfect for the first day of school?
It’s important to keep things in perspective. There’s often a lot of pressure to have everything perfect for the first day, but remember, for the child, a new classroom is always a new classroom, and you can always add more as you go.
If you’re trying your best and it doesn’t turn out exactly how you envisioned, that’s okay. We’re always growing—teachers included. Just like we encourage our students to keep growing, we need to apply that to ourselves too. If your classroom isn’t exactly as you wanted it, Baruch Hashem, the most important thing is that when the child walks in, they see a teacher who’s smiling and genuinely happy to welcome them. They probably won’t even notice if a border is a little crooked or if something isn’t perfect. The joy and warmth you bring are what truly matter.
How can teachers make their classroom environment more engaging and welcoming for young students?
To create an engaging and welcoming environment for young students, start by decorating the classroom door with their names and photos, which helps them feel more comfortable and recognized. Consider hanging decorations from the ceiling to uplift the atmosphere. Using a theme, like “Hashem’s precious children soaring high,” can tie everything together visually. A family photo inside the classroom, or even a photo of each child, can make them feel special and valued. These touches help create a warm and inviting space where students feel welcomed and important.
What is your favorite back-to-school tradition or activity that you do with your students?
One of my favorite back-to-school traditions is sending out personalized letters to both my returning and new students before the school year begins. For all my students, whether returning or new, I include a small token like stickers or a treat to make them feel valued and excited about the upcoming year.
For my returning students, I mail a letter wishing them Hatzlacha aRabah, telling them that I’ll miss being their Morah, and reassuring them that if they ever need anything, I’m always here for them. This reinforces that they are loved and supported. For new students, I send a welcoming letter to help them feel excited about joining the class. Receiving mail is a special experience for young children, and it shows both them and their parents that I care about them and am looking forward to the year ahead. Even if personalizing each letter is challenging, a general letter with some personalization can still make a positive impact and set a welcoming tone for the school year.
