Deborah Bromberg-Seltzer
Principal, 2nd Grade Judaic Studies
Years as a teacher: 23
Years at LGA: 17
Why did you become a teacher?
I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be a teacher. I had some amazing educators during my elementary, middle and high school years who inspired me and excited me about learning, and I want to pass that on. (In fact my college application essay was about my 1st grade teacher)
What drew you to teach at LGA?
When my husband was offered a position in the area, we came to check out LGA as both perspective parents and a prospective employee. It hit all of the things we were looking for: integration, engaged educators, flexibility, liberal Judaism, etc. I love how flexible we can be with the curriculum. When opportunities come up, we are able to see the bigger learning that happens.
What is your favorite topic/subject to teach and why?
Tough question! In some ways what I love about teaching are the off subject pieces. The tangents and connections that come out of kids asking thoughtful and thought invoking questions. These questions often lead to conversations that integrate so many different pieces.
What is your favorite activity/experience that you do with students outside of the main curriculum?
Because my teaching these days is limited, I can’t really answer for myself, but I love the overnight trips (Teva and Science Museum) and how we are able to connect those trips to a variety of learning opportunities. I loved arranging the NYC trip for the same reason.
I love the buddies, and love that we have expanded them to Gan Keshet as well. I love the buddies that we did with the Muslim Day School, and I’m so sad that they closed and we couldn’t continue. The amazing Tikkun Olam projects — setting up apartments for refugees, cooking for those in need…
How is LGA different than other schools?
Whenever I visit other schools, I am so struck by how different LGA is. Teachers talk to each other about their practice and see everyone as their colleagues. We see each and every child as a puzzle to figure out. We want to meet the needs of every child and spend so much energy thinking about what each child needs and how best to give it them. We are constantly rethinking what we do.
Not that we don’t have traditions, but we don’t just do something because we always have. It makes more work for the teachers, but we start each thing thinking about what are goals are and then how do we meet those goals.
Tikkun Olam is an integral piece of the curriculum. How we treat others is an integral piece of the curriculum. Our students aren’t perfect, but we try to directly deal with interpersonal issues and try to help kids develop the appropriate skills.
In addition to Hebrew and Judaic Studies, LGA students get a loving staff who will do anything to help them succeed. They develop a very high level of confidence because they have constantly been told that they are capable and have proof of that truth. They want to make the world a better place, feel that it is their responsibility, and know that they have the skills to make a difference.