Developing the Next Generation of Day School Educators
Posted on 11/08/2024 @ 05:00 AM
Did you know that 1 out of 2 new educators will drop out of teaching within their first five years?
That’s a statistic that applies to every educational setting, including Jewish day schools, unless the new teacher receives coaching and mentoring.
In September, CAJE launched its 7th new cohort of the Jewish New Teacher Project (JNTP), which drastically reduces new teacher burnout because it successfully supports the next generation of educators in Jewish day schools.
CAJE’s partnership with JNTP began in 2008 and continues to be a central component of our day school professional development offerings.
This cohort includes 20 participants from 6 south Florida schools: Scheck Hillel Community School, Yeshiva Elementary School, Hebrew Academy (RASG), Tamim Academy, Yeshiva Toras Chaim, and Katz Hillel Day School.
Julie Lambert CAJE Senior Educational Consultant
Valerie Mitrani CAJE Director of Day School Professional Development
The 2-year JNTP Professional Learning Series for Mentors, develops teachers with 5 or more years of experience to serve as mentors to new teachers in their first two years in the classroom.
Through professional development and community-building, the CAJE-JNTP program creates a supportive environment where mentors develop skills in coaching, classroom observation, and analyzing student learning.
Mentors are paired with new teachers at their school and meet regularly to guide the new teachers in developing practical skills in classroom management, lesson planning, and pedagogy.
This method of collaboration also provides emotional and practical support as new teachers adjust to their first years of teaching.
Through this process, JNTP increases teacher retention, student achievement, and integrates teaching standards and professional development within school culture.
By investing in the professional development of new teachers, CAJE creates a positive ripple effect, improving educational outcomes for students, increasing educator recruitment and retention, and strengthening the Jewish community as a whole.
