Our Kindergarten Educators
Batsheva Berger
Batsheva Berger was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. After spending a gap year in Israel after High School, she attended Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois and obtained her Master’s Degree from National Louis University in Chicago, IL. She now lives in Queens, New York with her husband and twin daughters. We interviewed her for her teacher bio.
Can you tell us a little bit about your educational background and your experience with early childhood education?
I have been teaching Kindergarten for three years. Before that, I was an assistant teacher for five years. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education, Elementary Education, and Judaic Studies, as well as a Master’s Degree in Curriculum Development with English as a Second Language Endorsement. Prior to teaching Kindergarten, I worked with students of varying ages and ranges of abilities, including students with Down syndrome and on the autism spectrum.
What do you like about teaching this age group?
I enjoy seeing so much growth throughout the year, across all disciplines – reading, basic math concepts, and their social-emotional development! Kindergarten really brings the students from early childhood into childhood. I love that idea that I am laying the foundation for the success of the rest of their schooling.
Tell me about how you lay that foundation. What is the Kindergarten curriculum like at Mercaz Academy?
We incorporate Hebrew and English into the curriculum. Our secular curriculum includes a daily “Fundations” lesson, which builds on what was learned in Pre-K. It focuses on phonemic awareness skills, increasing vocabulary and comprehension, working on answering higher level thinking questions. We also have writing units and reading groups, led by me and a reading specialist.
In math, we build on one-to-one correspondence. This includes counting, as well as visualizing the concepts, using manipulatives and other hands-on approaches, such as magnets, counters, or cubes. These manipulatives make the math more concrete for the students.
We daven daily, from our own siddurim that the students make in the beginning of the year. We learn parsha weekly, including doing parsha projects. For every parsha project, we write the name of the parsha, so we are working on Hebrew letter formation as well. We teach all of the holidays, doing projects on each that the children take home to enhance the chagim (Jewish holidays) with their families. I love seeing the pride in these projects specifically as we prepare for each holiday! Woven into our daily curriculum are the concepts of mitzvot and giving tzedakah.
We also have two computers in the classroom with math and reading programs that track each student’s progress, so they are getting differentiated lessons a couple of times per week. Each student also has their own iPad in the classroom with apps for reading, math, social-emotional games, Hebrew language, and coding. We use these apps to reinforce concepts that we are working on!
Our specials in Kindergarten include STEM, library and gym once a week, and Ulpan twice per week.
What would you say is your teaching philosophy?
I guide my teaching by the idea that “fair doesn't mean giving every child the same thing. It means giving every child what they need”. That is based on the work of Rick Lavoie, who authored It’s So Much Work to be Your Friend: Helping the Child with Learning Disabilities Find Social Success.
What do you find most challenging about teaching Kindergarten?
Not the academics – I would say it’s the “hidden curriculum,” including how to mold the whole class to expectations and routine so that they can be ready for first grade. It’s a big transition for them from a lot of free play to much more structure.
How does Kindergarten at Mercaz prepare students for first grade?
The first grade teacher and I collaborate to set expectations for the beginning of year in first grade, which helps me pace and guide my curriculum and instruction. The students go into first grade with a strong foundation of number concepts for math and basic reading skills, which helps propel them right into higher levels of each. For Hebrew, we really work to strengthen their Hebrew letter recognition, which allows them to jump right into reading Hebrew in first grade.
Can you share one thing you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I enjoy practicing yoga and mindfulness, both of which I love to incorporate into my curriculum!
Melissa Reinhardt
Born and raised on Long Island, Melissa Reinhardt currently lives in Plainview, where she is raising her two boys. She has been an educator for 16 years. After earning her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the State University at Oneonta, she earned her master's degree in Reading from Adelphi University, and is NYS certified for teaching elementary school. Ms. Reinhardt has taught grades K-4 and has worked with students with a range of abilities. Ms. Reinhardt shared some of her perspectives on teaching and even on fitness.
Teaching each age group brings different types of rewards. What appeals to you about teaching this age group?
I love building the foundation the children need to go to first grade. Kindergartners grow by leaps and bounds, not only academically, but also socially and emotionally. When teaching Kindergarten, I enjoy making learning fun for the children by using activities and games throughout the year.
What would you say is your teaching philosophy?
I believe that a positive classroom environment starts with the teacher. It’s important to set the tone for the class. I start each day with a lot of enthusiasm so each child knows how happy I am to be there. I encourage a culture in my class that makes each child feel safe to express themselves, share ideas, and ask questions.
I also feel strongly that it's important to allow each child to become successful at their own pace. I focus on the specific needs of each child and work hard to differentiate learning so that each child can reach their full potential.
What do you find most challenging about teaching Kindergarten?
I would say learning age-appropriate social skills. Kindergarten is a big year of learning how to take turns, managing different emotions and adjusting to more responsibility as a student. I establish class expectations from day one. Each child understands what is expected of them when they arrive. I foster independence and a sense of community. I encourage each child to become a “bucket filler,” which means they are showing acts of kindness to each other throughout the school year.
Kindergarten is often viewed as a year of transitions. How does Kindergarten at Mercaz prepare students for first grade?
The first grade teacher and I collaborate to set expectations for the beginning of the year in first grade, which then helps me pace and guide my curriculum and instruction. The students enter first grade with a strong foundation in number concepts, along with basic reading and writing skills.
Can you share one thing you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I absolutely love to indoor cycle! You can always find me on my Peloton in the morning before school starts, getting myself mentally and physically ready for the day ahead!