Overwhelming demand has prompted Hidden Sparks to resume its renowned Learning Lenses course to in-person sessions this July in Manhattan. Hidden Sparks is the leading nonprofit focused on providing Jewish day school teachers with the tools to support struggling students in mainstream classrooms.
The four-day, award-winning program for teachers and administrators will take place on July 20, 21, 25, and 26 at the Chelsea Shul in Manhattan.
The course’s popularity has grown among educators as it uniquely provides a holistic framework for improving the learning experiences of students with a wide range of social and emotional needs. It includes in-person interactive sessions and group learning, taking a deep dive into the most essential and critical tools for effectively engaging classes that include a broad spectrum of learners.
“Researchers have demonstrated a direct correlation between teachers who adopt a strength-based perspective and belief in their students with better student outcomes,” said Hidden Sparks Executive Director Debbie Niderberg. “While all of our courses continue to benefit the thousands of participants who have enrolled over the last decade, our Learning Lenses course continues to be one of our most popular and essential seminars for teachers, including highly experienced teachers, as it explores core elements of child learning and behaviors, teachers’ agency and strategies to enhance student learning and engagement, especially for those students who struggle in these areas.”
The program deepens educators’ capacities to promote each child’s academic advancement, emphasizing strategies that bolster the educational experiences of neurodiverse learners. Topics covered in the seminar will broaden participants’ understanding of all components pertaining to child neurodevelopment, including attention, memory, social skills, language, and higher-order thinking. Attendees will leave with a nuanced understanding of strategies to empower students who have difficulty in these areas. The seminar will also explore student temperament, classroom ecology, as well as methods for cultivating a learning atmosphere that is optimal for a broad range of learners.
Nearly 4,000 educators have participated in previously held Hidden Sparks programming in order to better identify and provide the appropriate support to students with learning differences, enabling their advancement in mainstream classrooms. This summer Hidden Sparks is also offering multiple workshops in Differentiated Instruction.
To register for the Learning Lenses Course, see the application instructions at: https://www.hiddensparks.org/summerll/.
