In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, that begins on Monday, we are kicking off a two week spotlight on 8 outstanding teachers who work at the Jewish Community Center’s Early Childhood program in Getzville. This commemoration originated in 1953 thanks to Eleanor Roosevelt, who convinced Congress that there needed to be a specific day on which teachers were recognized. However, it would take another 27 years for it to become an official national day in 1980. Then, in 1984, National Teachers Day became Teacher Appreciation Week, since there are so many wonderful educators that need to be honored and celebrated. This week, meet Aaron Blum, Maya Langberg, Jessie Miller, and Emily Shapiro.
Aaron Blum began working at the JCC’s early childhood program in 2016. Over the past 6 years, he has spent most of his time as the Assistant Teacher in the Toddler 2 classroom. Aaron also double-times at the JCC and works for Kids Place – the afterschool program. When not working at the J, Aaron loves spending time at home with his dog!
Maya Langberg has been teaching at the JCC since 2015. For the past 7 years, she has been the lead teacher for the Kachol (which means Blue in Hebrew) room filled with curious 3 year-olds. Maya loves to travel, and has visited 9 states and 21 different countries!
Jessie Miller started at the JCC in the Fall of 2020. For the last 2 years, she has floated in all of the classrooms and is currently working with the toddlers. Jessie also double-times at the JCC and teaches in the new School of Dance. And, she happens to be a professional actor too!
Emily Shapiro began working at the JCC in 2017. After floating between the 3 and 4 year-old classrooms, she took on the lead teacher role for one of the 4 year-old rooms two years ago. Fun fact: Emily graduated from Medaille College where she also was on the basketball team!
Thank you Aaron, Maya, Jessie, Emily and all of the other Educators in Jewish Buffalo for continuing to make a lasting impression on your students’ lives.
The Early Childhood Center at the JCC is designed to give our youngest learners the foundation they need to cultivate a thirst for knowledge and curiosity that will last a lifetime. A NAEYC accredited program, the Getzville location (on North Forest Road) has 8 classrooms for children ages 9 months through pre-K. Limited space is available for the upcoming year (beginning September 2022). For more information, visit jccbuffalo.org/childrens-programs/preschool/benderson