Parents Web Login
Susanne Settle
What do you teach at B’nai Shalom?
I teach Language Arts/Social Studies for 3rd, 4th and 5th grades, as well as Math for 3rd grade.
Why do you teach?
As a child, I adored every aspect of school. Some of my favorite memories are of the SRA Reading Box, taking spelling tests, working on the chalk board, reading outside as a class on pretty days, creating art projects and, especially, going to the Library. Learning environments motivate me to appreciate the complexities of written and oral language, and of the world around me. Children inspire, delight and inspire me to be a learner as I teach.
Why do you teach at B’nai Shalom?
B’nai Shalom embraces my values and passion for education. Religious education provides the foundation for learning for the mind and also the heart; B’nai Shalom naturally exemplifies this teaching of the whole child. Also, my life has been enriched by Greensboro’s Jewish community through the years.
What do you want your students to get from having known you?
I hope they will appreciate their blessings, learn from everything around them, work hard and play hard, laugh a lot and give of themselves to help those less fortunate.
What is the most important life lesson students will learn in your class?
My goal is that students learn to bloom where they are planted at any given time, instead of focusing on what they wish they could have. Oh, and I hope they enjoy the gift of laughter!
What is the most important life lesson you have learned from your students?
I have learned the significance of patience and the impact of wonder. I learn from my students every day.
How do you teach to the way a child learns?
I ask students what works for them and why. It is vital to consult with parents and previous teachers about how a student learns. The updated Bloom’s Taxonomy is a template for finding optimal learning opportunities based on learning styles. I encourage students to take responsibility for their own learning as they bond their personal styles to academic expectations.
What types of professional development have you completed in the last year?
I attended a North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS) workshop about integrating more technology in the classroom. The instructors inspired teachers to utilize iPads, Apple TV and the internet to enhance meaningful instruction across the subject areas. I am looking forward to learning from my colleagues at the upcoming NCAIS conference. In August, I attended the Math In Focus in-service held at B’nai Shalom as part of the teacher training for our newly implemented math curriculum.
In what ways do you collaborate with other teachers?
B’nai Shalom’s dual curriculum fosters integration of General Studies with Judaic Studies throughout the year. Judaic Studies/Hebrew teacher, Edna Rubenstein, facilitates endless opportunities for such collaboration. Our Specialists work with teachers to extend our units of study into art, library and music classes. Ongoing collaboration with other faculty members helps me identify and nurture positive strategies for my students.