Creating a Student-Responsive Learning Community in the Hebrew Classroom (presented in HEBREW)

Dr. Esty Gross is a seasoned educator with 25+ years in Hebrew and second language instruction. She is the Chief of Staff and Director of Education at Hebrew at the Center (עברית במרכז HATC) and a Visiting Lecturer at HUC's DeLeT Lehorat Ivrit program. Previously, Dr. Gross was the Education Director for Hebrew Studies at the Center for Educational Technology (מטח CET). She has also taught in the MAT-TESOL program at USC and held leadership roles in Jewish day schools in Los Angeles. Dr. Gross co-chaired the National Association for Hebrew Teachers (NAHeT) and is a member of the Council for Hebrew Language and Culture in North America. She has presented at numerous conferences, written extensively on language education, and authored Hebrew textbooks. Dr. Gross holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from USC, an M.A. in Management and Leadership in Education from Tel Aviv University, a Coordinator and Master Teacher Certificate from Hebrew College, and a B.A. in English Linguistics with a Teacher’s Diploma from Bar Ilan University. 

Gary Pretsfelder is Senior Manager, Professional Learning and Growth at the Jewish Education Project in New York, where he consults with, and coordinates professional development for, Yeshivot and Day School educators in the New York area in support of educational and cultural change in their schools. Gary is a former long-time, day school Principal and teacher in New York who built communities that put students and active learning at the center.