Community Corner

Community Corner

Valley Beth Shalom Participates in BJE Conference for Early Childhood Educators

On Monday, March 4, the early childhood staff from Valley Beth Shalom, together with close to 300 educators from across the Los Angeles area, participated in BJE's annual Bebe Feuerstein Simon Early Childhood Institute. The event is one of several BJE programs offering enriched professional development to ECE educators.

The keynote speaker, esteemed author and learning activist, Jonathan Mooney, tackled the topic of reframing learning differences to enhance inclusivity and engagement of children who might otherwise struggle in traditional settings. His presentation offered teachers concrete strategies to build a positive self-understanding in their students.

Conference sessions focused on a wide range of topics, from creating learning environments that are diverse and inclusive, to partnering with parents, to the importance and impact of play. This year's conference included a special emphasis on leadership, addressing both how administrators and educators see themselves as leaders, and how to foster leadership skills in young people.

The program included the presentation of the Lainer Distinguished Educator Awards and the Smotrich Family Foundation Award to an up and coming early childhood educator.

BJE is proud to offer this day of learning, skill building and professional growth to LA area educators in Jewish early childhood programs.

VBS ECC participants included: Renee Kalmanson, Sarah Kragen, Sara Leon, Abby Mars, Kathy Passovoy, Aileen Sirkin, and Suzana Tsimerman.