On a recent morning at Austin Jewish Academy, Mrs. Hidalgo’s 8th grade students took center stage for a powerful display of their critical thinking and debating skills, culminating in a series of thought-provoking debates centered around the Reconstruction era. Guided by their study of this transformative period in American history and a lesson in debating...
When Karen Hidalgo’s 8th graders started prepping for their Reconstruction Era debate, they got a crash course in persuasion from a seasoned family law attorney. With over 20 years of courtroom experience and a National Moot Court title under her belt, Hillery Kaplan shared practical tips on crafting strong arguments, presenting evidence, and winning over...
For 25 years, Mrs. Aileen Duncan has been a cherished and influential member of the Austin Jewish Academy community. She joined AJA in 2000 after nine years of teaching at the Shalom Austin Early Childhood Center, bringing with her a deep love for early education and a gift for creating warm, nurturing learning environments where...
Meet Kir Kraus, a dynamic and accomplished student currently pursuing mathematics at Cornell University with minors in philosophy and jazz studies. From uncovering new patterns in Pascal’s Triangle to performing with elite music ensembles and advocating for civil rights, Kir embodies a unique blend of curiosity, creativity, and leadership.
From AJA to Duke University and now the National Institutes of Health, Brooke Silverstein has embraced curiosity and innovation at every step of her journey. With a degree in chemistry and a passion for biomedical research, she is now working to develop novel drug therapies targeting opioid receptors. In this Q&A, Brooke shares her proudest accomplishments, future aspirations, and the lasting impact of her AJA experience—offering inspiration and advice for current students.
Many people ask Renee Lafair about her secret to child-rearing. Her three kids, now adults, attended Stanford, Northeastern, and Johns Hopkins University. In their spare time, they’ve worked together to build board games and advocate for change in national policies. But Renee says the “secret” to their successes started with Austin Jewish Academy’s Portfolio Day....
