School in the Time of Coronavirus

The pandemic, which has affected people of all professions, except those who provide essential services, has demonstrated the importance of distance education, a way of teaching, for which the majority of teachers, parents and students were not prepared, and had to improvise overnight. While the transition to homeschooling and e-learning has been smooth in some places, in others it has been disorganized, with no guidance for students and parents.

Rivka Oratz, an esteemed educator and administrator who currently serves as the Principal at Lev Bais Yaakov, a private, all-girls, Jewish school located in Brooklyn, NY, believes that it is difficult to determine the long-term effects because duration of the shutdown depends on the spread of the pandemic in the country.

Rivka Oratz: Teaching the Important Life Lessons

Teachers are arguably the most important members of our society. They give children purpose, set them up for success as citizens of our world, and inspire in them a drive to do well and succeed in life. Outside of their own home, one of the biggest role models in a young person’s life is standing at the front of the classroom.   The children of today are the leaders of tomorrow, and teachers are that critical point that makes a child ready for their future.

Educator Rivka Oratz realized the importance of education at an early age, and that is what gave her the strength to embark on this journey. She always emphasizes the importance of education, and often organizes various courses herself.

“I think the best investment is to invest in yourself. Every time I needed something new, I said, I can do it myself, so I decided to educate myself, ”explained Rivka Oratz.

Everyone knows that today’s youth will become tomorrow’s leaders, and teachers have access to educate the youth in their most impressionable years — whether that is in teaching preschool, teaching extracurriculars, sports or traditional classes. Those who have an impact on the children of society have the power to change lives. Not just for those children themselves, but for the lives of all.

Teachers of all walks of life and subjects have the ability to shape opinions and help form ideas about society, life and personal goals. Teachers can also expand students’ limits and push their creativity. Great teachers have the ability to change lives for the better.

As some of the most influential role models for developing students, teachers are responsible for more than just academic enrichment. If you want to be a great educator, you must connect with your pupils and reach them on multiple levels, because the best teachers are committed to their students’ well-being both inside and outside the classroom. Yes, schools have guidance counselors, but almost every teacher will find himself or herself approached by students in one way or the other. They seek advice on everything from academic interests to issues related to their personal lives.

Mrs. Rivka Oratz has an extensive background in high school teaching and guidance positions throughout the New York region, and is an experienced educator holding a B.A. in Psychology from Adelphi University, a Certificate in professional development of teaching skills at the elementary school level issued by Torah Umesorah Teacher Training, and a Hebrew teacher’s degree from Michlala College, Jerusalem.