TEACHERS
OF THE
YEAR MADELINE JACOBS
ROSENWALD FIFTH THROUGH
EIGHTH GRADE
SCIENCE TEACHER AT
GESHER JEWISH DAY
SCHOOL IN
FAIRFAX, VA
“The natural
curiosity that
children have
about the
world around
them is what
really got me
into teaching.”
NOMINATED BY:
SARA LAFOUNTAIN
“Madeline Rosenwald is
an amazing teacher and
leader at our school. She
teaches science to stu-
dents in fi fth through
eighth grade, and also
helps the kindergarten
through second grade
teachers integrate sci-
ence into their class-
rooms. Madeline also
volunteers as the ‘T’ part
of our PTO. She comes
to all of our meetings
and shares commu-
nications with all the
teachers. What originally got you
interested in teaching?
The natural curiosity that
children have about the
world around them is
what really got me into
teaching. I did some
outdoor education work
before getting into the
classroom, and I realized
that there is so much
for our students to take
in about how the world
works. I felt like I could
do a decent job to help
them make sense of it
all. And in that sense,
teaching found me.

Why do you think
teachers are important?
Teachers hold the keys
that open the doors of
possibilities for their
students. It is our job to
foster a love of learning in
each one of our students.

What is the single best
piece of advice you can
give parents of middle
schoolers? Give your child the tools
and skills necessary to
advocate for themselves.

This is a life skill. Students
need to learn how to
communicate their
struggles and needs,
because at some point,
they will be ready to fl y
and leave the nest.

Do you have any tried
and trusted ideas or
activities for motivating
students? Getting your students to
want to succeed is no easy
task. I always encourage a
little friendly competition in
the classroom. But when all
else fails, “Music Mondays”
are defi nitely encouraging
when there is independent
work to be done.

What are three things
you use in your
classroom every day and
could never live without?
1. My students. They’re
what make coming to
work so incredible, and
they’re what keep me
going throughout the day.

2. A silly rubber ball that
I throw around with the
kids when we need to take
a brain break.

3. My tea mug ... caffeine is
a necessity.

How can parents and
teachers work together
to empower and engage
children? Become a partner with
your children’s teachers.

We both want what is
best for them. A strong
partnership between
parents and teachers
can help foster student
success. What is the best thing
about teaching in your
area or school district?
I love our school
community — we’re like
one big family. There are
few words to describe
what we have. It is just
something you have to
experience by being a part
of it.

“Madeline also pulls off
one of the most exciting
events of the year: the
middle school dance.

She singlehandedly
transforms the school
into a theme. This year,
she turned our school
into a ’50s sock hop.

Last year, she trans-
formed it into ‘The Wiz-
ard of Oz.’ Besides being
an incredible leader,
Madeline makes science
fun for all the students.

She creates hands-on
experiments, and also
teaches the kids how
to be prepared for high
school and beyond.”
Finish this sentence: If I
weren’t teaching,
I’d be …
the principal of a middle
school. If I weren’t in
education, I’d be a
personal chef for dinner
parties and events.

washingtonFAMILY.com September 2018
15