Mihal Bat-Or

As an experienced Jewish Studies educator, I am passionate about creating inclusive learning environments. I instill a deep, conscious, and meaningful relationship to Torah, text study, prayer and praying Jewish practice, and mitzvot. My work focuses on strengthening students' Jewish identity, which serves as a foundation for elevating their responses to life experiences. This mission is significant as it helps students see themselves as responsible, creative, and contributory members of their families, school, and world Jewish communities.

• A highly motivated individual with a strong creative drive to approach Jewish Studies with fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.
• Expertise in Total Participation Teaching, Student-Centered Learning (SCL), differentiation, and formative assessment increasing student engagement, and designing projects based on student interest and strengths.
• Proficient in teaching Jewish Studies (Oral and Written Torah, Tefillah, Holidays, Jewish History, Israel Studies) and Hebrew to students (Grades 1-5) and adults, both in-person and online.
• Developed Torah, Jewish Studies(holidays, iyun tefillah, American Jewry, Jewish diversity, Israel Studies), and Hebrew curricula, resulting in improved student learning outcomes.
• Facilitates and leads inspiring and transformative prayer gatherings for Shabbat, havdalah, weekdays, and holidays.
• Supports students to have a deep, conscious, meaningful and developed relationship with prayer.
• Developed and implemented an innovative Hebrew curriculum based on the language proficiency approach for K-5 students, enhancing language acquisition and supporting students in increasing their communicative Hebrew language skills aligning with ACTFL standards and benchmarks.
• Integrates of social-emotional, cognitive, and spiritual learning into every lesson.
• Creates an inclusive and joyful Jewish learning environment.
• Recognized for excellence in curriculum development and instruction; selected to mentor six Jewish Studies and Hebrew language instruction teachers.
• Utilizes Seesaw to create projects offering choice boards and differentiated learning opportunities.
• Integrates technology tools, such as interactive whiteboards and educational apps, into daily instruction, enhancing student learning experiences and improving digital literacy skills for 95% of students.
• Selects and utilized Sefaria texts and commentaries as resources.
• Trains students to engage with texts through peer discussions, critical thinking, active listening, contemporary and personal application to lived experiences.
• Incorporates Biblical Hebrew instruction into text study focusing on identifying and translating Hebrew roots, grammar patterns, and structures.
• Provides rigorous opportunities to strengthen retrieval and retention of skills and knowledge using spacing and interleaving strategies.
• Utilizes mindfulness practices to improve emotional regulation, and helping youth cultivate empathy training and awareness-based practices.

• Kol Tefillah Conference, 01/01/25
• M2 - The Institute for Experiential Jewish Conference, 06/01/24
• Hebrew at the Center (HATC) Seattle Cascadia Day of Learning, 01/01/24
• Hebrew at the Center Training, Coaching, and Workshops, 01/01/19
• CIJE (Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education) Workshops & Coaching, 01/01/17
• Seattle University Special Education Endorsement Academy, 01/01/18
• ITalAm Weeklong Training & Workshop, 06/01/18
• Ivriyon Program at JTS, 07/01/17
• Better Lesson Workshop & Coaching, 01/01/17
• Responsive Classroom Training, 01/01/15
• Teaching English as a Second Language (Seattle University), 07/01/12
• Wired for Reading Training, 07/01/11