Prepping the teachers at HAFTR

Administrators and teachers from the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway early childhood, middle and lower schools joined together for a day of professional development for the new school year at the Sephardic Temple in Cedarhurst on Aug. 28.

HAFTR’s Rabbi Aaron Feigenbaum, the new Rav Bet Sefer (Torah teacher), spoke of the Torah. This year’s theme across all the grades is the Power of Story was the focus of a discussion led by the division principals.

According to HAFTR officials, there is substantial research that identifies a correlation between a student’s knowledge of family history and his/her grit and determination. With this in mind the principals jump-started topics on how the power of story can inform the way teachers plan and prepare their classrooms and units of study.

Faculty members shared their stories on how they were drawn to teaching, what brought them to HAFTR and impactful life moments. Common threads were uncovered and the educators discussed how the personal storytelling experience increased their connection to others they know.

In the second portion, HAFTR’s story — the result of a merger between the Hebrew Institute of Long Island and Hillel — was recalled through images and narration. Many HAFTR alumni who are now teachers shared memories of being students at HAFTR, HILI, and Hillel.

Blending the first two sections, everyone came together in the final session to discuss how they will write HAFTR’s future in a fashion that is driven by shared values and a respect for the history of the educational institution.

The day appeared to bring the colleagues closer together. “I felt like I had the best morning sitting amongst dear friends in HAFTR’s living room,” one teacher said.