Step into the vibrant halls of Austin Jewish Academy’s middle school, where every corner hums with energy, curiosity, and learning. Walking down the hallway today, let’s peek into their schedule and see what makes AJA such an extraordinary place to be. 8:00 AM: ArrivalThe school is bustling with energy as students arrive, backpacks slung over...
On Friday, November 15, Zahava Merlis, seasoned speech-language pathologist and owner of Firefly Friends Speech Therapy, PLLC, presented to AJA parents on “Salient Speech and Language Challenges,” the latest in a series of parent education events at AJA. Zahava currently works with several AJA and ECP students, as well as many students around Greater Austin....
One of the things we try to foster here at AJA is a Growth Mindset in our students, as articulated by Carol S. Dweck in her book, "Mindset." But what is a Growth Mindset, and how can education encourage children to develop one?
Years ago, an AJA teacher and students created a fun mural on the large, blank wall of our MPR (multi-purpose room). But after hundreds of gatherings in that room -- from KabShab to class presentations to Tefillah to assemblies -- it was showing signs of wear and tear and needed a refresh.
We wanted to keep a mural, but what kind? A nature scene? Students at work? Jewish symbols? Or how about a little bit of everything?
How about a doodle wall? That all our students and staff members can contribute to?
It was a perfect plan, but it required a whole village to make it come together.
