Please introduce yourself, including your name, the school you teach at, and how long you’ve been teaching.
My name is Mushka Rodal. I teach at Gan Chai, run by Rabbi Yossi and Geula Dalfin, directors of Chabad of WeHo West. I’ve been teaching for four years—three years in preschool and one year in middle school.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
I’ve always loved sharing knowledge, which is something I grew up appreciating, especially as someone raised on Shlichus. Initially, I didn’t think I’d enjoy teaching such young children. My first year, I taught middle school, but then an opportunity to teach preschool came my way. It was so far out of my comfort zone, but it turned out to be an incredible experience. It pushed me to break down concepts into bite-sized ideas, and I adapted to this new role as a preschool teacher. Teaching this age group has been so special and meaningful. You get to give and receive such pure love from these young children, and it’s something I didn’t expect to appreciate as much as I do.
You’re known for your creative and hands-on approach—can you share an example of a memorable activity you’ve done with your students?
One memorable hands-on activity I did with my students was during our Yom Kippur unit. We did pendulum painting, which I built using tubes to create an upside-down T-shaped structure. I tied a string to a cup, filled the cup with white paint, and set up a long table covered with butcher paper. The children could push the cup, letting it swing and splatter paint across the paper.
The activity tied beautifully into the Yom Kippur theme—it looked like a scale and symbolized the idea of moving back and forth, coming closer to Hashem. It was amazing how much meaning we were able to infuse into a single art project while also making it so much fun and hands-on. Building the contraption and watching the kids enjoy it so much was such a rewarding experience.
How do you balance creativity and structure in your classroom?
Balancing creativity and structure is key, especially in preschool. Kids thrive on routine, so our daily schedule stays consistent. Within that structure, there’s plenty of room for creativity—like during center time with activities such as arts, sensory bins, and dramatic play, or outdoor play with new explorations. Structure doesn’t stifle creativity; it provides the framework for everything to flow smoothly and for creativity to shine.
What advice would you give to new teachers looking to make their lessons more engaging and interactive?
To new teachers: don’t be afraid of your big ideas. If you see something amazing online or have a creative concept, go for it! These moments, when you put in extra effort and see it come to life with your students loving it, are what make teaching so rewarding.
Also, think about what you would enjoy as a child or even now—whether it’s building, drawing, or exploring—and bring that passion into your lessons. When you’re having fun and sharing what’s special to you, your students will feel it and connect more deeply.
