A Summit On Excellence

Session 1 Tracks

Social, Emotional and Spiritual Learning

Coaching for Character - Approach to Social, Emotional, and Spiritual Learning
Presenters: Dr. Jeffrey Kress & Dr. Evie Rotstein, RJE
Location: Vail

The questions at the root of Jewish education - how we find meaning and purpose in our lives; how we relate to our communities both local and extended; and how we connect to a sense of tradition - relate strongly to the type of people we become, our character and commitments. As Jewish educators, we strive to prepare Jewish youth to face today’s challenges and others that will inevitably arise, particularly at a time in which many of our communal values are being tested. Social, Emotional, and Spiritual Learning (SESL) provides both a lens through which to understand our work and an array of practices that can be adapted to fit within any educational content and context. SESL takes as a core assumption that a few good lesson plans or a catchy special program around values or relationships are insufficient for the task.  Educators must prioritize serious, sustained, and systemic action to promote empathy, self-awareness, positive communication, and peaceful, collaborative problem solving. Our texts, stories, and traditions provide rich resources to draw from. These need to be delivered with powerful pedagogies which, in turn, must be sustained through organizational leadership practices. In our three sessions, we will explore how educators can use these pedagogies and leadership practices to enhance work that they are likely already doing in this arena. We will use an extended analogy to “coaching” (of, for example, a sport or craft) to frame the discussion. A coach does much more than teach about a sport or craft; a coach focuses on skills, team-building, and understanding learners’ needs to set larger meaning-making goals. The sessions will build upon one another and each will include activities to demonstrate SESL principles and to stimulate discussion. We’ll explore the core ideas of SESL as well as topics such as a skill-building approach to values-education; rituals for community building; and providing opportunities for spiritual engagement. By the end of the sessions, we hope that participants will not only have some new techniques, but also a new lens through which to view their work as a whole.

Inclusion and Mental Health

Inclusion 3.0
Presenters: Pamela Schuller
Location: Beverly

We know most of you understand how not to exclude children. You’re careful to use the right language, you have an idea of what a diagnosis means for a child, and how to help them be successful in your classrooms. This session will help you reach the next level, Inclusion 3.0. We will dive into practical inclusion methods and practices for both formal learning and informal programs, ways to get creative when it comes to making sure every child feels they’re adding to their peer group, how to talk about inclusion with kids, and how to gather the right information to set yourself and your teachers up for success.

Creative Thinking and Play

Creative Thinking and Play: Surprise!
Presenters: Jon Adam Ross & Dr. Miriam Heller Stern, RJE
Location: Columbine

If I told you what we're doing in this session, then it wouldn't be a surprise! But I will reveal this: expectations will be subverted in really fun ways. And things don't just have to be what they seem to be. Participation in this activity will require some movement, and all types of physical capability will be able to participate successfully.

Immersive Experiences

Embarking on the Journey: An Anthropological Framework for Designing Immersive Experiences
Presenters: Kelly Cohen
Location: Terrace

We learn from the world of anthropology that the first stage of any journey is the separation from home. Using this idea, and related concepts, we will explore the first stage of any meaningful journey, and learn how to create the best conditions for separation.