by Yulia Utis | Temple Sholom
I was very excited to start the TAP program for several reasons, the biggest one being that I wanted to be able to know how to help my students no matter the circumstance. TAP helped me with this because it taught me how to handle different situations. It specifically helped me understand how to help people on the spectrum or with dyslexia or ADHD learn.
My main takeaway from this program is that any type of behavior is communication and that not all kids learn the same, so you have to have different approaches to meet every child’s needs. Ever since I have been taught these things, I have been able to help more of my students thrive while learning Hebrew. While doing this program, I have been able to notice that some students need one-on-one tutoring, so I have taken them into different rooms to help them out, and now they have caught up to the rest of the class, and they have an even better understanding of Judaism.
This was my first year as an assistant teacher for the 5th grade Hebrew class. I am so grateful that I got to participate in this program during my first year teaching because it has set me and my students up for success. This year, while taking the program, I have been able to give my students the confidence while reading Hebrew that I never would have been able to do without this program. Before this program I had no idea how to handle a lot of situations that I can now handle with ease. Now when I teach Hebrew again next year, I will have all the tools to make it a fabulous year for my students. Overall the TAP program was very beneficial, and I recommend taking it if you have any interest in working with children.