Where did you grow up and what are some of your favorite childhood memories?
I grew up in Toronto, Canada, which was a relatively small community at that time. I felt deeply connected to the community and considered myself an integral part of it. Both of my parents were teachers, which influenced my upbringing significantly. As a child, my siblings and I often played school together, creating worksheets, writing late notes, and organizing files as if we were the teachers ourselves.
Some of my fondest memories are from school. One particular memory that stands out is when my teacher asked me to assist him with a surprise for the class, which involved taking the entire class to his house to make doughnuts together. To this day, I vividly remember how special and valued I felt during that time.
Who is a teacher that inspired you as a student?
I was very close with my 8th-grade teacher. Looking back now as a teacher myself, I am certain that he wanted a break during break time, but despite that, he would often engage in conversations with me during recess and after school. Even to this day, I am still in touch with him because of the immense care he showed towards me. I used to take his handwritten worksheets, type them up, and send them back to him after redoing them. I believe he is still utilizing those revised versions even today.
Did you always want to be a teacher? If not, what changed?
I don’t remember ever wanting to be a teacher while growing up. However, one summer, I had the opportunity to work as a learning teacher at a camp and found that I really connected with the students and enjoyed the experience. Two years later, I organized programs for 8th graders at Oholei Torah. Then, I became a Shliach in New Haven, stayed the next year as an Alter Bachur and stayed a third year as an official teacher of Shiur Alef. It was during this time that I realized teaching was something I wanted to pursue.
About five years ago, I made the decision to move to Houston to teach in the school, run the pre-mesivta program and run community programs. Since then, I have been teaching at Torah Day School of Houston.
What is your favorite part of teaching?
My favorite part of teaching is seeing the students understand the information you are teaching and get excited from it, as well as when I see the students implementing things that I taught them during their own time. When you see a child turn around in their learning and behavior, the nachas is unbelievable.
As a teacher, what is something you think is important for parents to know?
I believe it is crucial for parents to understand that they should not solely depend on the teacher. A child’s education primarily lies in the hands of the parents. Parents should display curiosity about their child’s learning, review the work they bring home, and most importantly, collaborate with teachers. When parents attend parent-teacher conferences, it conveys a lot to the teacher, and as educators, we genuinely appreciate appreciation as it helps keep us motivated.
Can you share advice for new teachers ?
Go to courses and speak to successful teachers. Enter the classroom with a well thought out plan on how you want to manage your classroom. Each month, go in with a game plan of what you want to accomplish each month. It is truly unpredictable what a student will remember, both in terms of positive experiences and the opposite. Always be aware of what you are doing and how you are acting.
Teachers should not only teach the material, but also impart values and hashkafa. They can use the material being taught as a springboard for meaningful discussions. It is important to encourage students to ask questions and engage in conversations. These interactions provide an opportunity for students to develop their own set of values, gain insights into hashkafa, and assist them in making decisions for their future.
