What exactly does the resource room do?
EM
: The Resource Room provides support for learning, a removed place with 1:1 help when students seek help with all subjects!
KD
: We do everything we can to make sure that everyone at Hillel has the academic and emotional support that they need.
AY
: Well, the resource ROOM doesn't do much. Sorry. The resource room and it's staff are there to support students and teachers in any way needed. We might be a quiet place to take a test, we might help students who need a little extra practice or review in a certain subject, we might help a student who needs to catch up because they missed something. Sometimes we provide enrichment to students who need it. Sometimes we are another set of hands in a classroom ("push-in") to help the teacher meet everyone's needs.
EZ
: The resource room is a place for students to come to work with teachers on Judaics subjects, reading, math, social studies and other special projects that they might need help with. We also go into the classroom to help with individual students and small groups. Whatever we can do to help learning go to the next level, we do it! We also help teachers gather material for their classes and come up with creative ideas for how to keep their classrooms. We work closely with our friends at JFCS to help kids and teachers as well.
TM
: It’s similar to a classroom, but we work in smaller groups and have more fun!
KE
: That's a great question. I think the Resource Room does a ton of things for the school, but I also joke all the time that it's like working backstage at a theater... if we do our jobs well, no one even knows we exist. There are two parts of the resource room's role at Hillel that I can talk about directly, though I'm sure there's much more that I don't even know about. To me, the most important of the two main roles of the resource room is to work directly with students who benefit from extra support, additional practice, a specialized learning environment, or enrichment activities. Sometimes that means helping someone to take a test or complete classwork; other times that means learning one-on-one with a student to master a skill, or working on an activity with a small group of students. The other main role of the resource room that isn't as visible to students and parents is that we partner with teachers to help them plan and adapt lessons so they can best serve all of the students in their classroom. What this usually involves is creating a specialized activity for a small group, adapting materials a teacher already has to accommodate different students and learning styles or collaborating with a teacher to prepare and teach something for the whole class.
How did you join the resource room?
EM
: This is my first year at Hillel, as the behavioral specialist. I help students throughout their day-to-day routines and assist in problem solving when difficult situations arise.
KD
: Ms. Ziff and I joke that I joined the team because I helped her fix her iPhone during my interview.
AY
: Actually, I began my career in the resource room, in YNJ, a school in Bergen County, a long time ago. Over the years I ended up as a regular classroom teacher, but working with small groups and one-on-one was always one of my favorite things to do. Over the past two years I have been spending more and more time in the resource room, and I really love getting to work with kids in small groups and one-on-one.
EZ
: I was a classroom teacher at CDS and heard about an incredible opportunity to be the Director of Support at Hillel and couldn't pass it by!
KE
: I was very lucky to join the resource room team not long after Mrs. Ziff, the administrator in charge of Support Services, came to Hillel. I've been a teacher here in the resource room for seven years now.
What do you add to the resource room?
EM
: Diversity! I never went to school to become a teacher but found my way into teaching when I began to work at the Natural History Museum as an educator... along the way I've learned a lot and taught plenty of different topics.
KD
: I hope that I bring enthusiasm for learning (especially math!), an appreciation for perseverance, and an organized system for checking out fidgets.
AY
: My knowledge of Judaic studies is one obvious thing that I add. I also think that my experiences as a classroom teacher and as a mom of Hillel students help me to think about things from those perspectives in addition to from the vantage point of the resource room.
EZ
: Teamwork!
TM
: Everyone on the resource room staff has their own specialty and skill set that we use to best support our students. I mostly teach limudei kodesh studies.
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
EM
: My days are ALWAYS different, each day is a surprise and for that I'm grateful! Seeing students have an "ah-ha!" moment where they understand something that they didn't fully grasp the first time.
KD
: Every time a student asks a great question or chooses to keep working on something even though it's really tough.
AY
: Seeing a student feel confident and successful who came in to the resource room feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.
EZ
: Working with a great staff, both here in the resource room and in Hillel in general. Also, seeing all the students working so hard everyday, their smiles say it all!
TM
: Watching my students learn and grow.
KE
: I love most parts of my job, but I think I find it most satisfying when a student feels successful at something they think is difficult. It's an amazing part of my job to get to see the "aha" moment when something finally makes sense for a student.
How does the resource room benefit students?
EM
: The resource room offers a space outside of the classroom for learning, where students can get the help they need from many different talented teachers.
EZ
: Our job is to figure out how students learn best and work with the teachers to make it happen.
TM
: Students know we care about them and know we will find a method that works for them, therefore they want to learn.
What makes the resource room special?
EM
: The people (teachers and students)!
KD
: We have an energetic, positive, and enthusiastic team that is so excited to get started every morning and take the day as it comes. I have seldom seen a group of people so passionate about what they do.
AY
: We are a great team of dedicated professionals who love the kids, love learning, and love making learning fun.
EZ
: How we work to customize the learning.
TM
: Ask the students who come here — they love it!
What are you educated in?
EM
: I went to school for Anthropology and majored in Archaeology AND Forensics. I have over eight years of field experience in North American archaeology (prehistoric and historic) and have worked with several Indigenous tribes to exhuming, identifying, researching and repatriating (re-burying) human remains. Since graduating in 2013 from University, I've taken a few credits toward child development working with children with and without special needs. In the summer when I'm not teaching I attend a few local digs and projects.
KD
: Social work.
AY
: I have an undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Bio. I went to Azrieli, which is a graduate school of Jewish Education, but we moved away from NY before I finished the program, WAY before the days doing something like that online was an option.
EZ
: I have an undergraduate degree in Education and a Masters in Social Work.
KE
: I graduated from Slippery Rock University twice. I went the first time for a Bachelors in Secondary English Education and Theatre, then I pursued a Masters in Special Education after I substitute taught for a few years.
Where did you grow up?
EM
: New Wilmington, PA.
KD
: I was an Air Force kid born abroad, but when my dad left the service we settled down about an hour south of Pittsburgh, right next door to my grandparents.
AY
: Livingston, NJ.
EZ
: Pittsburgh.
KE
: I actually still live in the house I grew up in about 45 minutes north of Squirrel Hill.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
KD
: Maybe that I have chickens? But I talk about my chickens all the time, so maybe not. I have backpacked across India, and I've been to 46 states.
AY
: I think people know pretty much everything about me at this point, I don't think my kids keep any secrets. I am a Russian speaker, which surprises some people….
EZ
: I worked at a catering event for Chelsea Clinton's College Graduation party and met Bill and Hillary Clinton.
How does Hillel compare to other schools you have taught at
?
EM
: Hillel has an amazing sense of community, the students at Hillel are clever and have a brilliant way of problem-solving!
AY
: Hillel is very much a family environment. The staff feels like a team, and all of the kids feel like they are all of our responsibility. I also love that Hillel is growth-oriented, always looking for new ways to do our job of educating our kids in better and more professional ways.
EZ
: It is the warmest and most welcoming school!
KE
: Well, the easiest difference to note is that every other school I've taught at was a public school. In general, Hillel has smaller class sizes, and a more friendly, community-oriented atmosphere than any of the other school's I've worked at.
What’s a good studying/combating procrastination trick?
EM
: Breaking work into smaller, more manageable pieces... and taking lots of breaks. Best anti-procrastination trick? I'll let you know tomorrow….
KD
: Study content as it comes rather than cramming it all at the end. Find someone else you can teach the material to — teaching is a great way to be sure you really know the material. Anti-procrastination? Let me know if you find a good one.
AY
: When it comes to studying, I find that DOING something, vs. just reading over material, is really helpful — whether it's teaching it to someone, making a review sheet or making flashcards — anything kind of active studying is much more effective. Also mnemonic devices. Love those, even though most kids I suggest them to think they plug in somewhere. I love timers. They are a good way of tricking yourself of getting started, even for a few minutes. Usually once you start it's not as hard to keep going. Also, start with the easiest thing first, just to start feeling a sense of accomplishment.
EZ
: Do a little at a time and don't forget to reward yourself!
KE
: My biggest study trick is to always take good notes. If it seems important write it down. Keep an "ugly" notebook for in class and a clean, crisp one for study notes. Transfer everything over after class or at the end of the week. Every time that you go through the process of writing something down, reading it, and rewriting it your brain has to process that information. Keeping a nice notebook for studying later makes this a more appealing thing to do, and forcing your brain to go back through the information you've written down helps you to remember it without the need to cram for a test later.
What do you like about Pittsburgh?
EM
: Our three beautiful rivers; I live on North Shore and enjoy kayaking, fishing and swimming so close to home! Mni wiconi = water is life!
KD
: I love all rust belt cities, but Pittsburgh is my favorite. The people here are hardworking, kind, and have a certain grit that has kept the city thriving through difficult times. I've been to many cities across America and the world, but I will always come home to Pittsburgh.
AY
: There are so many things I love about Pittsburgh. I think our Jewish community here is one of a kind (I know everybody thinks that about their hometown, but really...).
EZ
: Cultural events are very accessible and we have great parks.
KE
: I've always lived near Pittsburgh, so I don't have much to compare it to, but I love that even the city has lots of green space and interesting things to do outdoors.
What are your hobbies?
EM
: Camping, hiking, knitting/crocheting, painting, going to concerts, and gardening.
KD
: Cooking, hanging out with my pets, traveling, reading.
AY
: Hobby? What does that word mean? Ask me again in a few years….
EZ
: Outdoor activities, scrapbooking, cooking for friends.
KE
: I enjoy reading, gardening, playing video games, and baking.
Do you have any pets?
EM
: Yes two cats, Charlie and Niki and one gecko, Biz.
KD
: I have a dog, five cats (I know, I know), and three chickens.
AY
: Nope.
EZ
: A very cute dog, 1/2 Basset Hound, 1/2 Golden Retriever named Bessie.
KE
: I have two dogs and a cat. We also have about six chickens, but they're not really pets, they're more like livestock.
What is your favorite dessert?
EM
: Vanilla ice cream with real maple syrup!
KD
: Halavah or baklava.
AY
: Anything with peanut butter and chocolate.
EZ
: Carrot Cake.
Do you play any instruments?
EM
: In high school I played clarinet, but now I play some guitar and mandolin.
AY
: Be very thankful the answer to that is not anymore.
EZ
: No.
KE
: I play the piano and mandolin, but not very well.
Did/do you play any sports?
EM
: In high school I was in track (javelin, shot put, discus and high jump).
KD
: I was on the swim team in school, but now my main sport is chasing my dog around the neighborhood when she gets loose.
AY
: Very casually as a young kid.
EZ
: Volleyball, basketball.
