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The Charlotte Jewish News - June-July 2009 - Page 17 The Charlotte Jewish Preschool Celebrates Teacher Retention By Darcy Alban, LCSW, MSW, CJP PTO Co-President Longevity is one sign of a teacher’s commitment to educa tion and contentment with his or her career. Happy teachers make happy children. CJP is honored to have 27% of their current teachers serving in their 14th to 28th year at the school. These teachers possess unique skills, teaching styles, personalities, practices, and backgrounds, yet all demon strate an inspiring long-term com mitment to young learners. The PTO of CJP celebrated Teacher Appreciation week from May 11- 15 to honor devoted teachers who guide, teach, and nurture CJP chil dren. As part of the formal Thank You Luncheon, longevity is com memorated and applauded. Andrea Wilson who teaches in the half-day three days per week 3 s program is celebrating a mile stone 20 years at CJP this year. Ms. Andrea “has been fantastic ... we wish we could have her for more years,” says Bonnie Bomstein mother of Justin. Justin was diagnosed with Selective Mutism, which his mother attrib utes to underlying anxiety. Ms. Andrea has created a space for Justin to thrive. “He’s just com fortable, not nervous about the other kids or the environment,” continues Bomstein. She reports how nice it is to see Justin singing Jewish songs and saying the prayers on Shabbat. “He can par ticipate,” because of Ms. Andrea’s willingness to “go above and beyond.” Prior to the start of school this year, Ms. Andrea and the CJP administration were more than pleased to open the doors of CJP to Justin and his psychologist, giving Justin the time he needed to acclimate to the new setting. He had the opportunity to get used to his surroundings and meet the wonderful professionals who would be teaching him all year Bomstein adds, Ms. Andrea “gives her children respect, and they are respectful.” Perhaps the best endorsement of a teacher comes from a parent who is also a teacher Kimberly Isaacson, who teaches in the three days per week half-day 3 s class, describes her colleague Carolyn Patterson’s ability to know exact ly what she needs to do to help each child. Ms. Carolyn has devoted 28 years to teaching gen erations of CJP families, and natu rally “she’s seen it all,” says Isaacson. Ms. Carolyn’s children in the full-day 3 s class benefit from an organized classroom, and they know what is expected of them. Isaacson continues about Ms. Carolyn, “She’s adaptable— if a kid needs something extra, she’s able to identify it. She’s able to help each child reach their own potential, because she is able to identify what they need.” According to Isaacson, her daugh ter, Addison, has become much more outgoing as a result of her year with Ms. Carolyn. Ms. Carolyn encourages the children to share with the class, and Isaacson’s erstwhile shy child, “has a lot to say now.” Ms. Carolyn’s nearly three decades of service to her CJP students, not to mention the Charlotte Jewish community at large, ensures a classroom wisdom that junior teachers can only hope to one day obtain. An article about the long-term CJP teachers would not be com plete without the inclusion of Tootie Broome, CJP Assistant Director and former extended day 2s teacher who has served CJP families for the last 17 years. When asked about her former co teacher and mentor, Tootie Broome, Elka Bemstein describes a teacher with a special gift for understanding and relating to young children. Bemstein views Broome as a “security blanket,” for the children as well as for their parents. During times of stress or other crises like divorce, financial hardship, or the death of a loved one, Ms. Tootie provides a com fort and strength that will see a family through. Broome provided insight and understanding to Elka Bemstein, as a new teacher. Broome continues to offer tactful, honest support and mentorship to the teachers she oversees at CJP. Ms. Tootie not only taught Bemstein much of what she knows about teaching young chil dren, she supported the Bemstein family by teaching their then two- year-old son Jake, as well as her niece Zoe, 17 and 15-year-old nephew, Eli. “My son and my niece will not walk into Hebrew school every Wednesday without seeking her (Broome) out and get ting a hug,” says Bemstein. As a non-Jewish member of the facul ty, Broome has “completely embraced and leamed about Judaism,” explains Bernstein. Tootie Broome’s commitment to early childhood Jewish education, much like the dedicated CJP teachers with decades of experi ence who surround her, is a boon to The Charlotte Jewish Preschool and to generations of Charlotte Jewish families. ^ Same Great Company, New Location in the Heart of Ballantyne 13526 Johnston Road Charlotte, NC 28277 Mickey Gold Realtor® 704.779.5859 mickeyau@aol.com Richard Roskind Realtor® 704.905.6175 rcroskind@aol.com www.GoldRoskindHomes.com yiKESH I NEED HEBREW HELP!! Call Barbara Feld 704-341-3680 HEBREW TUTORING FOR: Bar/Bat Mitzvah’s ♦ Hebrew Readings Learning with Special Needs ♦ Adults Presdmol Andrea Wilson celebrates Chanukah. Celebrating Purim with Brenda Wren- Terrell. Ellen Wysmuller with Talia Levinson and Silvia Vitner CJP Teachers with the Longest Service Carolyn Patterson 28 years Extended Day 3s Robbie McGinley 21 years Half Day 4s Andrea Wilson 20 years Half Day 3s Ellen Wysmuller 18 years Half Day 4s Tootie Broome 17 years former Extended Day 2s/Assistant Director Brenda Wren-Terrel 14 years Half Day 2s and 3s J You’ll Have Cool Air At Your House Tonight!® J ‘We’re open for service everyday. Call now!” Deweyjenkins Supreme Commander of Cool Air $20 Off Any Repair Must present coupon at time of service. Not valid with other offers. Valid Monday - Sunday, 8am-6pm ^ Condition/>|^ ^ Morris-Jenkins - Since^2^ 704-357-0484 www.MorrisJenkins.com Proud Sponsor of the l_evlne €POhilclren’s Hospital
The Charlotte Jewish News (Charlotte, N.C.)
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June 1, 2009, edition 1
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