Mandel Center Congratulates Newest Graduates
Center honors a new batch of Jewish day school teachers at recent ceremony and research conference
July 31, 2009
WALTHAM, Mass. – The Mandel Center for Studies in Jewish Education is happy to announce the graduation of Cohort 7 of the DeLeT (Day School Leadership Through Teaching)/MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching) Program at Brandeis University.
“We are so proud to be sending four truly talented and passionate teachers into the field,” said DeLeT Faculty Leader Serene Victor. “The preparation they received with us has given them the tools to maximize these talents -- to ask questions, to frame discussion, and to encourage their students to grow their minds and Jewish selves.”
This year’s fellows were honored on July 23 during a ceremony called “Tekkes HaSiyum: A Celebration of Completion” at the Mandel Center for Studies in Jewish Education at Brandeis. Students shared reflections on their time as DeLeT fellows and the knowledge they gained.
“We learn in DeLeT how to teach both rich academic curricula that lives up to state standards, as well as a meaningful social curriculum to build students’ sense of self and role within a Jewish community of learners,” said graduate Samara Hendin. “It is this type of integrated learning that we hope will spark and enhance our students’ life-long learning endeavors.”
Graduating fellows then presented their original research, based on studies of their own teaching practice, at a conference the next day. This was followed by the graduation ceremony for all Brandeis MAT students, including those with elementary and secondary Jewish day school concentrations as well as elementary and secondary public school concentrations.
This year’s DeLeT graduates will go on to teach at schools in New Orleans and the Boston area. In the six years of the DeLeT program, Brandeis has prepared a total of 52 day school teachers who have gone on to touch the lives of hundreds of day school students across the United States.
The 2009 DeLeT/MAT graduates include Stephanie Cohen of Pittsburgh & Phoenix; Samara Hendin of Philadelphia; Julia Rose-Gilbert of Newton, Mass.; and Anna Salomon of Atlanta.