Please introduce yourself:
I teach fourth grade at Cheder Ohr Menachem in Crown Heights. I’m on Shlichus in nearby Flatbush and have the zchus to have a Chinuch shlichus at the very same time when I go in to teach every day!
How did you first decide to pursue a Chinuch Shlichus?
It began shortly after my wedding when I was in kollel. At the time, there was a vacancy for a fourth-grade teacher at Ohr Menachem. Initially, I wasn’t sure if chinuch was for me. However, I did have experience working with children, having served as a counselor, head counselor, and learning director for many years in camp. That gave me a sense of confidence. Ultimately, the vacancy and the opportunity it presented were what pushed me to take the leap into the ‘pool’ of chinuch. Baruch Hashem, here I am 13 years later, still in the water!
How do you keep students engaged and excited about learning?
From my experience, the key to keeping students engaged and excited is to fill them with toichen (quality content). Children have an incredible capacity to absorb so much when given the opportunity. It’s our responsibility—and privilege—to provide them with that input. With so many distractions in today’s world, there’s often a sense of emptiness that needs filling. When we pump them with positive, enriching content, they soak it all in. Seeing their growth and the results of that effort is a tremendous motivation for me to keep going.
What message would you like parents to hear?
When parents are involved—asking their children about what they’re learning, knowing which masechta they’re studying, or which siman they’re up to in Shulchan Aruch—it makes a world of difference. It shows the children that their learning is important and that it’s a team effort. By taking an active interest in their child’s learning and ensuring their physical well-being—such as eating breakfast, getting enough sleep, and staying in touch with teachers—parents can truly propel their children’s success.
What is the most rewarding aspect of being a mechanech?
The most rewarding part of being a mechanech is watching my students thrive. Seeing young boys grow in their learning, and especially helping those who’ve struggled—like a student who used to get 40s and 50s now achieving 90s and 100s—is incredibly fulfilling. Knowing that I’ve played a role in that transformation is the greatest reward.
