J Rybak

Connection is key in my teaching practice. Making connections, like the link between subject areas and the ideas our learning sparks, and between the people in our learning communities, connections are what keep us tethered to our learning, and meaningfully accountable to one another in our community. During our learning, I often invite children to engage thoughtfully, like "tickling their brains" when encountering something new or interesting, and using the ASL sign for "same" when someone else has expressed a thought or experience they might relate to. The concept of connection in my classroom is always present, as this allows the classrooms I teach to hum with an atmosphere of successful engagement. The presence I try to bring into my work with children is to make them laugh and feel supported while holding them firmly accountable to the goals we set together for their learning and development. I always find an authentic pathway to a productive dynamic with every individual child, family and colleague I encounter. This is something I consider myself to be uniquely dedicated to and gifted at. 

Please reach out, as I would love to discuss more about the many other contributions I make to the workplace and school environment, including the arduous but rewarding journey of passing my edTPA in 2021, the skills I used to improve the academic performance and critical thinking of my students, and the way I bring the whole brain and creative applications into the learning environment effectively.