22 | MAY 19 • 2022
OUR COMMUNITY
I
n today’s world, teaching is perhaps the
most important profession and, some-
times, the least appreciated. A great
teacher can open students’ minds and
hearts, challenge them to greater heights
and inspire them to become better people.
In the Talmud, it states that “parents
bring a child into this world, but a teacher
can bring a child into the World to Come”
— into a world of imagination, self-discov-
ery, creativity, ideas and self-worth.
This year, the JN asked the community
to nominate their favorite teachers for our
inaugural “Educator of the Year” awards. All
of the nominees were worthy of recognition.
We chose our top three in Early Childhood,
Elementary and Secondary education and
honor all the other nominees from the com-
munity.
EARLY CHILDHOOD
WINNER: SHARON
OZROVITZ, FARBER
HEBREW DAY SCHOOL
As someone once said, “It takes
a big heart to help shape little
minds.
” Sharon Ozrovitz, a
Nursery 2 teacher at Farber Hebrew Day
School has such a heart and creates genuine
connections with her students. Parents say,
“She works hard to include a variety of top-
ics and subjects in the curriculum, from all
the Jewish holidays to things like Earth Day
and the importance of recycling and pro-
tecting our planet. “The kids soak up all the
information they learn from her class.
”
Farber Head of School Josh Levisohn
said, “This is such a deserving honor for a
teacher who is so dedicated, loving and car-
ing. Sharon has the ability to see each child
at their level and makes each one feel loved
as if they are the only child that matters. She
makes everything fun so that the children
play without realizing just how much they
are learning. We are tremendously proud of
Sharon and her impact on our young ones.
”
HONORABLE MENTIONS
JACKIE EATON, HILLEL
DAY SCHOOL
Jackie Eaton, from Hillel Day
School, works with 2-to-3-year
olds. According to parents, she
is a “fantastic teacher” who is
“always on top of things, the best at com-
municating, knows each student so well,
and has made our first year at Hillel a great
one.
”
ANNA GARTMAN, HILLEL
DAY SCHOOL
Anna Gartman pivoted last
year school year to lead the
Kindergarten Flex class, adapt-
ing to online learning and
teaching, and creating a warm environment
(over Zoom, no less!). Said one parent,
whose daughter was the first one in her
class to get glasses, “Ms. Anna went out of
her way to wear her own glasses — when
she normally always wears contacts — so
that my daughter would feel comfortable!”
ELEMENTARY
WINNER: JODI TEPPER,
HILLEL DAY SCHOOL
Jodi teaches first and second
grade general studies at Hillel
Day School. Prior to Hillel, she
worked in public school for
nearly 20 years.
The JN honors the best and brightest
teachers in our community.
Educators
of the
Year
JN STAFF
continued on page 24