Following a very successful year of Menachem Education Foundation’s Data Driven Instruction program, implemented in the Chmuash classes of four schools in Los Angeles and Pittsburgh, participating teachers were presented with awards for their devotion to the program’s intensive first year.
The award entitled the “Abraham Award” was sponsored by Matt Wiener of DailySteals.com in memory of his grandparents Avraham ben Eliyahu Greenwald and Avraham ben Chaim Wiener OBM.
In Los Angeles, awards were presented by Rabbi Zalman Shneur, Executive Director of MEF and Rabbi Mendel Greenbaum, principal of Cheder Menachem Boys School, at the Cheder’s Annual Auction which took place June 13 in the scenic Gilmore Adobe.
Award recipients were Rabbi Chaim Binyomin Burston and Rabbi Shneur Munitz of Cheder Menachem; Mrs. Ruchama Thaler and Mrs. Shoshana Braude of Bais Chaya Mushka School for Girls.
Pittsburgh’s June 19 event was devoted to teacher appreciation and awards were presented by Rabbi Shneur and Rabbi Yossi Rosenblum, principal of Boys’ Yeshiva School and director of DDI. Mrs. Chanie Altein of Girls’ Yeshiva School and Rabbi Eli Rothman of Boys’ Yeshiva School were the recipients of the Abraham Award in Pittsburgh.
The 75 people who attended the event, which took place on the Yeshiva Schools campus were shown a video of the awarded teachers in action and Rabbis Shneur and Rosenblum expressed gratitude toward Altein and Rothman because their efforts in the program will allow its continued success throughout the yeshiva system.
Rosenblum detailed the teachers’ efforts from last summer through finals which took place two weeks ago. They produced a curriculum based on DDI’s preset standards for Chumash, conducted interim assessments every four to six weeks, collected data based on those assessments, and provided all that to me, said Rosenblum.
Greenbaum acknowledged the teachers efforts and stated, “The time and effort for the administration and teachers is extensive — but the rewards are far-reaching and eternal.”
According to Greenbaum, DDI has created an “educational pinnacle of excellence.” The change in students is evident as they are able to grasp the standards DDI has set for them, said Greenbaum. He credits Wiener for sponsoring the Teacher Awards and truly making this a “dynamic reality.”
Inspired by Norman Atkins, co-founder and CEO of Teacher U, DDI emphasizes student learning, and frequent tests and periodical assessments are used to gather data and ensure students are absorbing the class material. While DDI programs have existed in the past, MEF’s version is one of the first to focus on Judaic studies.
Menachem Education Foundation plans to extend its DDI program through 3rd grade for Chumash and to 5th grade in Talmud, said Rosenblum. “We’re expanding schools and subjects.”
Following the success of the program in Los Angeles and Pittsburgh, many other schools have shown great interest in the program and up to ten, across the country hope to implement it into their schools this fall.
VIDEO: When teachers didn’t get it
Its called preparing your lessons
dont get this program. what have all these teachers been doing till now?
Are there 50 kids in the class, that a teacher needs a chart to see who knows what?
Next thing we know, mothers will be making charts to get to understand their kids.
Like father like son (and grandfather too!)
Yasher Koach and continued strength and hatzlocho!
You are just the best!! Professional, caring, talented, and exciting. Your students are lucky to have you as a teacher!
this certainly is not dumb it is an amazing thing that great teachers who have all those warm qualities of love care and varemkeit for our kinderlach are always looking to be better and still better in addition to what they already have! MEF and people like Motti Weiner are making a real difference in changing the robotic etc. ways many Teachers were when we were growing up. You should be thanking Hashem that there are people who are making sure that our kinderlach grow in every good way mechayil el choyil because at the end of the day thats… Read more »
For #31, Well, yes this doesn’t address sensitivity, psychology; however, the data driven aspect helps teachers to easily spot individual areas. Then the students will be able to get those sensitive, psychological needs met in a more specific fashion. But without observing concrete information about the learning of any given student, some might slip by the cracks. I understand your point, though. I think the two components put together hold the potential for great success. Maybe people addressing either point should always include the other, to make the point that both need to be part of the picture , and… Read more »
Rabbi Munitz is an amazing teacher. This is well-deserved!!
Your amazing.. love you!
You might find the following book helpful,
Driven by Data: A Practical Guide to Improve Instruction
Wow! I continue to be amazed at the Cheder Menachem and Bais Chaya Mushka teachers and principals, You are always learning new ideas and approaches to become even better at what you all already do so well! yasher koach!
Shout out to Rabbi Munitz and Mrs Bukiet!
Mazel tov, Rabbi Rothman !
I still remember Rabbi Burstons cute pictures of my son, when he behaved well. These small positive M and M’s go a long way. Teachers, our children’s self esteem is in your hands. So glad you were recognized Rabbi
way to go mrs thaler and mrs braude.
from a former student of BCM LA
All this sounds like an investment in mechanical, robotic method of improving teaching. We need more sensitivity, character training; extensive psychology courses, etc, etc. If anyone should get out of the system half intact, we need to invest heavily in the above. Enough with the detached methods and programs! These are human beings whose lives are in your hands.
its immposible to educate our youth when the establishment wont allow it. for example: how can we talk seriously about chinuch, when the rebbes ohel is run not according to halocho, with mixed men and and women
Hey Roxy!!! Too bad you can’t see this while you’re in camp – great job on the acting!!!
wow. im just shepping nachas here. He is turuely a great guy mottie.
THANK TO YOU MOTTIE FOR CHANGING THE WORLD.
rabbi burston taught my son years ago in ny and it was an awesome year. yasher koach rabbi burston
whatever it will take to show the really menschlich teachers that we appreciate their gifts, we should do. It will bring the geula closer. Darchai Menachem in CHts will get lots of rewards, their teachers and staff consider teaching a shlichus and take it seriously
Zalman you’re the greatest!
keep it going (we all know it’s the kasket power that moves you 🙂
from your admirer in LA – lunch at shnitzleys anytime
The first part would be funny if it wasn’t so true…
Mottie,
Thank you for investing in our teachers. I am sure your grandparents are shepping nachus!
This sounds great. How long will it take till the Crown Heights mosdos catch on?
Although all teachers in Cheder menachem Los Angeles are wonderful, Rabbi Shneur Zalman Munitz is top notch.
. . . the Rebbe’s undercover shluchim
see the letters in the back of likutei sichos vol. 22
karmi sheli.
Kol hakavod to the Menachem Foundation for this incredible shlichus
Kol Hakovod to R’ Zalmie Shneur!
you have created and instituted incredible programs and much needed change in our community. Hatzlacha in the future!
This is just amazing. Mottie wiener is such a good guy. He gives tzedakah to those who need it. He is a true baalas tzedakah. I
They always got it!
we love you!!!
What a beautiful tribute to the 2 grandfathers. I’m sure the 2 Abrahams are so proud. Well done Mottie for organising it and mazel tov to the award beneficiaries
Rabbi Rothman and Mrs.Altein were both my teachers!!!!!
Thanks for shaping my kids Jewish hearts and minds…
David Benveniste,Tsfat
yay mottie! so proud!!
When the Chinuch is focused on the students — it’s successful! Partnership with parental accountability and teacher support is essential, as well.
Specific standards and assessments will clearly point out where the student is holding and how much further they need to go for grade level. They have this for math and science; it’s about time that we have this for Limudei Chol!
Let’s keep our priorities in the Chinuch arena — Great investment into our future generation!
BS:D
Teaches, the most under appreciated profession in the world,everyone covets money, go teachers ,for putting your hearts into educating our youth ( as the story is told about the police officers comment re the Rebbe at a Lag b’Omer parade) and Reb Wiener for your efforts in recognizing the unrecognized work of teachers and encouraging them.
go raksin!!!
Great program! Wishing that it continues with hatzlocha to all our moisdos. Kind of makes you wonder what’s been going on until now.
A well-deserved award for a great teacher!
when are we ALL going to realise the most OBVIOUS thing ,which is, that the teachers in our moisdos are the most important asset we have,because they are the ones working with the most important people,our kids… the fact is, most of them barely make ends meet ,etc. etc. etc…….. i think, just like in the chumas it speaks about matnas kehuna,so too in our times,just walk over to teachers and give them money,…tell them it’s a token of appreciation for the great work that they do for klal yistroel speak to your chavairim of such an attitude and maybe… Read more »