06/07/2022
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=5545953198770337&id=276696582362718&sfnsn=mo
Congratulations to Jil Cooper Dyan of Temple Judea for being awarded the Simha and Sara Lainer Distinguished Educator Award for Early Childhood Education. BJE’s Lainer Award is given annually to up to three veteran teachers – those who have been teaching for at least eight years. The winning teachers receive a $2,500 prize. Jil started her journey in Jewish Education as a Madricha, teaching assistant in religious school. It was such a powerful experience that she knew, even as a teen, that Jewish Education was what she was meant to do. Jil went on to teach and then Direct Jewish Preschools. After taking time away to raise her family, Jil came back to the preschool classroom at Temple Judea. Jil has the ability to make something out of nothing! She sees empty containers, rocks, sticks, and just about anything as an avenue for children to explore and create. Jil has created a hands-on children's museum called the “Imagination Station” for Temple Judea’s ECC. The exhibits in the Imagination Station are ever changing from a farmer’s market to a pizza parlor. Jil makes each exhibit using objects she puts together herself. Jil believes, “it is our job as Jewish educators to create environments that help children explore, learn and create. After all, we are growing Menches”!
https://www.bjela.org/blog/bje-honors-four-early-childhood-educators-with-2022-lainer-and-smotrich-awards
