אין העולם מתקיים אלא בשביל הבל תינוקות של בית רבן
(Shabbos 119:b)
Baltimore, MD - Apr. 8, 2016 - The Talmud teaches that the world is upheld by the breath of school children in the classroom. We do not always stop to think about what it takes for those children to be studying and learning so effectively. However, the professionals and lay leaders at the Louise D. and Morton J. Macks Center for Jewish Education (CJE) think about this every day. We know that it takes parent partnerships, effective administrators, solid curricula and most importantly the power of an outstanding educator in the classroom. In order to raise awareness of the importance of outstanding educators and show appreciation, CJE hosts an annual educator recognition program.
This year, CJE received over 250 nominations for outstanding teachers. There is no doubt that our community has some of the most dedicated, caring and capable teachers in the country. Each of the educators nominated is deserving of recognition. CJE is recognizing them all in a community awards ceremony on May 9th at 7:30PM where every nominated educator will receive a certificate and a gift.
In addition to this recognition, there are eleven special named educator awards that will be presented. The most prestigious award our community offers is the Sam Kahan Distinguished Educator Award. This award is recognized nationally as the Grinspoon Award for Excellence in Jewish Education. This year’s recipient is Mrs. Bracha Kosman, a beloved elementary school teacher at Bais Yaakov School for Girls. Mrs. Kosman was carefully selected through an extensive review process that included a classroom observation, a video clip of her teaching, recommendations from nominators and supporters, and a personal statement about her educational philosophy.
Today, Nancy Tilson, Chair of the CJE Educator Recognition Committee, Larry Ziffer, CEO of CJE and Amian Frost Kelemer, COO of CJE joined the Bais Yaakov administrators, Rabbi Mendel Freedman, Rabbi Yitzchok Sanders, Rabbi Zalman Nissel and Mrs. Liora Rosen as well as the extended Kosman family to surprise Mrs. Kosman in her classroom. Bearing flowers and balloons as well as lollipops for the students, the group applauded Mrs. Kosman as she received the news that she is the recipient of this prestigious award. Students totally approved of the committee’s choice and took the opportunity to cheer on their favorite teacher.
Mrs. Kosman’s nomination packet stood out because of her ability to engage each student in her classroom by using a myriad of multi-sensory techniques. All of her materials are home-made, each one carefully designed to inspire student learning. Through these materials and her planning, her students build incredible confidence and skill.
And perhaps the most telling indication of this teacher’s excellence is that within seconds of all of the visitors leaving the room, Mrs. Kosman had regained control of the classroom. As the door slid shut, the only sounds were the sing-song of the girls reviewing the simanim of the Pesach seder they had learned, and Mrs. Kosman teaching as if nothing had happened.
