An exceptional teacher - The Jewish Standard

We were so pleased over a story about our exceptional teacher, Chana Zinstein, who was selected to receive this year’s Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award. (“The pleasure is hers,” June 8.) She is so deserving of this honor. The article was lovely, including so much information about Chana together with comments from parents, Morah Chana, and me, her nominating school director. It really captured her as a person and a Jewish educator.

We would like to make one important addition, however. The Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey is a partner with the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Foundation in recognizing Chana as a Jewish educator of excellence. Minna Heilpern, the director of teacher education for the Jewish Educational Services there, leads the selection process. The Grinspoon-Steinhardt Foundation awards a grant of $1,000, which is matched by $1,000 from our federation. The federation will help Chana select the professional development programs in which she will participate in person this year, while the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Foundation organizes web meetings of a professional association of outstanding educators that continues throughout this year and beyond.

We are grateful to both the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey for recognizing excellent Jewish educators throughout North America and for granting this year’s award to our beloved teacher, Chana Zinstein.