Gabi Soble

Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Perachya says, "Make for yourself a teacher and acquire for yourself a friend, and judge each person favorably." Pirkei Avot, Chapter 1, Mishna 6

I am thrilled to be returning as a teacher in the Levana class at Temple Beth Shalom’s Children’s Center this year.  It is a privilege and an honor to work in a school environment that is child-focused, warm, caring, safe, educational and geared towards the individual development of each child.  I continue to be inspired by teachers’ focus on the students while we create a creativity-inspired learning environment.

I believe that each of us is both teacher and learner, regardless of age or experience.  As a teacher, it is important to learn at every opportunity, and I learn something new everyday from every student in my classroom.  I love observing children both at play and in structured activities, and I am continuously inspired by their curiosity about the world around them and their creativity.  Children need safe and inspiring spaces to play, explore, and create, and I strive to do that in the classroom.

I love teaching in a Jewish school, I enjoy bringing various aspects of our rich heritage and tradition, music, stories, and holidays to all aspects of our curriculum.  Shabbat is a favorite time each week, enabling me to share my own love of Shabbat and Judaism with the students.  I love to teach Hebrew words and to invoke in the students a love for Israel and Jewish peoplehood.

I also hope to make each student a friend, as a way to model friendship among the children in the classroom.  We are teachers and friends to the students, the parents, and the entire TBSCC community.  I judge each person I meet as a potential teacher and friend, and I feel privileged to be among teachers who are not just inspiring and knowledgeable, but friendly and caring, as well.