Learning at Rashi
As part of its commitment to recruit and retain the very best teachers for its students, Rashi has partnered with the Mandel Center for Studies in Jewish Education at Brandeis University in two of the Center’s projects:
- MAT-JDS/DeLeT
Day school Leadership through Teaching initiative
- Induction Partnership
MAT-JDS/DeLeT
Day school Leadership through Teaching
The Rashi School was one of the first schools in the Boston area to be a field placement for DeLeT fellows, participants in the Elementary MAT DeLeT – Day school Leadership through Teaching – program housed at The Mandel Center. DeLeT (Hebrew for “door”), is a degree program that opens a door to a career in Jewish day school education.
DeLeT prepares recent college graduates and mid-career changers to teach general and Judaic studies in the elementary grades in Jewish day schools. The program involves two summers of study on campus at Brandeis University and a yearlong mentored internship in a local day school, partnered with an experienced mentor teacher.
DeLeT fellows receive preparation and support, are exposed to the latest research on teaching and learning, and learn to develop integrated programming. They earn a Master of Arts in Teaching in elementary education and are eligible for initial teaching licensure (grades 1-6) from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
The Rashi School has been a vital partner with DeLeT since its inception in 2002. Sixteen DeLeT fellows have interned at Rashi, and four have gone on to teach at the school. DeLeT fellows who interned at other day schools are currently teaching at Rashi as well. Heidi Chapple, a Rashi first grade teacher and a DeLeT mentor since 2002, serves as Rashi Liaison to DeLeT, providing additional support for DeLeT fellows.
Click here to learn more about the MAT-JDS/DeLeT initiative.
Induction Partnership
In 2006, the partnership between Rashi and the Mandel Center expanded to include the Mandel Center’s Induction Partnership, which helps day schools create the professional culture and structures that enable new teachers to thrive. It is also a research initiative generating new knowledge about how teachers develop as professionals.
Experts from the Mandel Center have worked with Glenda Speyer, Rashi’s Mentor Coordinator, and other Rashi teachers and administrators, to formalize a mentoring program with ongoing internal support for mentors individually and as a group. Future plans include forming a collaborative “trio of support” with new teachers, mentors and supervisors; increasing support to new teachers to enhance their work with assistant teachers; and providing training for all Rashi mentors. Rashi created new teaching standards as a result of this work.
Click here to learn more about the Induction Partnership.
