Networking > Communities Of Practice > Diverse Learners Community of Practice

The goal of the Diverse Learners CoP is to improve practice in educating diverse learners in Jewish day school settings. The CoP brings together administrators, special educators, and teachers through regularly scheduled conference calls and ongoing online discussions. Through this peer-to-peer collaboration, we generate knowledge directly related to the work we do; utilize that knowledge back in our schools; and reflect on results in order to make further modifications, as needed. The product of this iterative cycle is the development of more knowledge that is widely disseminated to the field. We address topics determined by our shared needs, interests, and concerns-e.g., IDEA, Universal Design for Learning, meeting the needs of students with emotional difficulties, and communicating with parents. Participants find that by forming relationships with others, they feel less isolated in the field and more able to implement effective practices which best serve the ongoing needs of the diverse learner and their families. The knowledge we generate, use, and share is helping all of us to increase enrollment and improve the excellence of our Jewish day schools.

We welcome everyone to join us in our collective journey. There is no cost to participate in our CoP activities. To join, please send your name, school, position, and email address to Donna Lupatkin, the facilitator of the Diverse Learners CoP.

Special Thanks

We thank Hidden Sparks for their sponsorship of our Diverse Learners Community of Practice.

Conference Call Information

Linked for Learning
Monday, May 19, 2008 4:00 EST
Guests: Rivka Stein, Hebrew Academy Community School - Margate, Fl
&
Rabbi Moishe Rodman, Desert Torah Academy Ohel Menachem-Las Vegas, NV
All are invited to attend

To join the conference call:
Dial: 1-866-266-3378
Enter Conference # ID: 617-367-0107
Enter Password: 7353
You will be prompted to state your name and then you will be connected.

In addition to participating by phone, those of you who have access to a computer and would like to simultaneously view the accompanying PowerPoint, please log on to:

IDT Connect Enhanced
On left side of screen, under Participant Log In:
Type in 6173670107(no spaces) where it asks for Conference ID #
Type in your name
Type in your school
Type in your email address
Click on Log In

Questions? Contact Donna Lupatkin.

Conference Call PowerPoint Presentations

• Servicing the Autistic Child in the Jewish Day School Setting
  December 3, 2007, Dot Lucci, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA (Guest)
• Understanding the Value of Differentiated Instruction: Administrative Perspective
  October 15, 2007, Kristen Herbert, Associate Head of School from the Rashi School in Boston (Guest)

Summaries of Conference Calls

• Communicating with Parents
  March 12, 2007, Mollie Warner, Hidden Sparks (Guest)
• Universal Design for Learning
  January 8, 2007, Dr. David Rose, Founding Director/Chief Scientist of Cognition & Learning, CAST (Center for Applied Special Technology) (Guest)
• Special Education Curriculum Development and Fee Structure
  November 13, 2006, Rabbi Simcha Dessler, Beverly Bernstein, Helen Siegel, Arlene Remz and Sue Schweber (Guests)
• The IDEA: Its Impact on Day School Education
  October 16, 2006, Dr. David Riley (Guest)

Relevant Reading

• Jane Taubenfeld Cohen's 2006 Covenant Award acceptance speech

Voices from the Field: Finding Value in the Diverse Learners CoP