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Aliza ChanalesAliza Chanales left Midreshet Lindenbaum in June of 2003 and moved, along with many of her friends, to Barnard College. At Barnard, she was extremely involved in the Hillel, particularly with the Beit Midrash committee and assorted other Jewish educational endeavors. More informally, she continued to learn regularly with her Lindenbaum havruta, Avigail Sugarman. By the end of college, they celebrated five years of continuous Talmud Torah. At Barnard Aliza majored in Physics.
After graduating from Barnard, she started a masters program at Bank Street College of Education, with a focus on teaching middle school science. As part of the program she spent a year student teaching at three very different schools in New York City – from Bank Street’s own school for children to public schools in the East Village and Washington Heights.
We asked Aliza to describe her experiences working at an inner-city school: "I’ve watched children learn about themselves and the world around them. I’ve helped them hear their heartbeat through a stethoscope, explore the wonder of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, derive the Pythagorean theorem, realize that mass is conserved, and play with gravity and balancing. The kids (over 200 of them!) that I’ve met this year come from all kinds of backgrounds. Some of them face challenges I’ve never had to face, some struggle with speaking English, some have never been out of New York City. Some of them have talents I’ve never had, experiences I’ve never dreamed of. All of them have inspired me with their creativity and curiosity. Their desire to know and understand and their tenacity in figuring things out has been a true pleasure. I’ve learned a lot about their lives –where they’re from, what foods they love, what they do on Sundays. And they have learned about me, my religion (the skirt is an instant giveaway), my family, my interest in science and knowledge"
Next year Aliza will be leaving the world of public school and returning to what she refers to as my roots, yeshiva day school. Before doing so she reflects on the values shared by Jewish and secular education, saying that working in public schools has taught her the power of asking good questions and letting the children explore and uncover – values deeply embedded in the world of Jewish education. She talks warmly of the staff members she worked with, saying that all the teachers she worked with have been star educators and phenomenal mentors.
We wish her luck for next year, teaching math and science to sixth and seventh graders at Yeshivat Noam, in Paramus, New Jersey.  Print This Page Send To Friend |
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