We sat down with Mazal Satov, teacher and Hebrew Department Head at Danilack Middle School, to hear about what Associated means to her. Click the link below to see what she has to say about the role Associated has played in inspiring her to be the outstanding educator she is today.

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT ASSOCIATED?

This is my 18th year teaching at Associated. I teach Grade 6 & 8 Ivrit and am the Hebrew Department Head at Danilack Middle School.  

WHAT IS YOUR SPECIAL CONNECTION TO ASSOCIATED?

When my children were little, we moved from Ottawa to Toronto and we looked for a Jewish day school for them.  When I walked through the doors of Associated, I just knew it was right for my family and enrolled them right away. My children both graduated from Associated. At the time I was a social worker, not a teacher, but Associated inspired me and ignited in me a love of teaching.  I enrolled in the Hebrew Teachers’ Seminary and knew that Associated was the only place I’d want to teach. In a way, Associated chose me.

WHAT IS YOUR TEACHING PHILOSOPHY?

I want my students to enjoy my class and I want them to love Hebrew.  When planning a unit, I choose a topic or theme that’s current and relevant to my students and connect it to Hebrew, tradition and Israeli culture.  The children are engaged in this way and develop a meaningful connection to Israel and a love of the Hebrew language. When class is fun and enjoyable, they learn a lot.  Most importantly, I want my students to feel loved and respected and that’s when you can get the most out of them. 

WHY DO YOU LOVE TEACHING AT ASSOCIATED?

Associated made me feel at home from the second I walked through the doors as a new teacher.  All of the teachers went above and beyond to help me. They came to my home and visited my classroom often to help me and make sure I felt a part of this amazing community.   Associated is my second family.

WHAT ELSE MAKES ASSOCIATED UNIQUE?

Our community is diverse and is made up of Jewish people of all levels of observance.  We truly are a community school. Not only that, we live and breathe innovation. Our teachers are topnotch. They are driven to learn new pedagogies and are always ahead of innovative teaching methods.  

HOW DO YOU BRING THE THEME OF TRADITION AND INNOVATION TO LIFE IN YOUR CLASSROOM?

Tradition of our history, holidays and language drive the lesson, but we use media and technology as teaching tools.  My lessons involve learning about the past and how it informs our future.

WHO INFLUENCED/INFLUENCES YOU AS A TEACHER?

When I first came to Associated, Rabbi Tessler, who was Principal at the time, was a true inspiration.  He knew every student’s name and made a personal connection with each of them. When I saw that, I was like “wow”.  It’s the personal connection with my students that makes coming here every day so meaningful. Ultimately, it’s the students who influence me the most.  Every day I learn something new from them.