TAP

by Imara Kay, Temple Sholom I am proud to be a TAP teen because TAP has helped me become more mindful when working with kids. As a songleader, I don’t have a classroom. Instead, the kids come into the sanctuary for song sessions. Sunday school takes place in the mornings, and often the kids who come in are tired or just aren’t engaged. TAP has helped understand that just because the kids aren’t doing what you want them to do, doesn’t mean that they don’t want to be engaged and learning. Sometimes, they need a little extra boost. TAP [...]

by Elijah Barkan, Germantown Jewish Centre Participating in the TAP program has taught me a lot about how to better engage with students in my religious school classroom. One of the things I focused on was making a space that can work for everyone. I used what I learned about Sensory Processing Disorder and how everybody senses and interacts with the world in their own way. Whenever students have seemed to be struggling in the environment we are in, I have thought about the ways in which I can help them to thrive in the classroom. This can range [...]

by Brody Smith, Beth Tikvah-B’nai Jeshurun This is the second year I have volunteered to help with students in religious school. I have helped teachers by supporting them when they need classroom material or if they need assistance helping kids understand the lesson better. The kids, however, are the ones who need their Madrichim the most. Helping can be a friendly conversation or making sure they are calm and respectful during the teacher’s instructions. If they need any type of support, they can be sure that they always have me to turn to. One helpful strategy that I learned [...]