As the story goes, when I was born, my father talked about my ear and how perfectly small it was, and how perfectly shaped it was, because what else would he talk about? He didn't know me, and all the little quirks about me.
Special education is a labor of love, dedication, care, and exquisite expertise. With constant research-based scientific advances in brain development, special educators must be knowledgeable, and able to implement cutting edge practices immediately. They must exercise compassion and understanding for both students and their parents, who are searching for answers and support in raising their children.
raising their children.
This week the Sulam team met on Monday for a professional day, during which we discussed the task of helping our students develop grit - the power to stick to a task and to persevere through failure, struggle, feeling overwhelmed - and not give up. There are techniques to help children develop this important skill, such as using the correct type of praise.
After suffering through the drama of repeated disappointments, the Jews finally broke free from slavery. They made a harrowing escape through a miraculously parting sea. Once on dry and safe ground, with the wilderness ahead of them, few possessions to maintain comfort, and nothing but un-risen bread to sustain them, Moshe had the challenging task of motivating them to continue the arduous physical and spiritual journey to become a nation. What words of encouragement could he use?
This week’s parsha, Parshat Vayeshev contains the famous story of the brothers throwing Joseph into a pit to be sold to slaves. So begins the story of the enslavement of the Jews in Egypt. There are very many aspects to this story that are intriguing, but one particularly meaningful aspect is that of Reuven’s role in saving Josephs’ life.