Tikkun Olam ESL: Temple Shalom Education Initiative

ESL@TSD

(English as a Second Language @Temple Shalom Dallas)

Recently, LIFT (Literacy Instruction for Texas) determined it would run its ESL classes only at its downtown headquarters. This resulted in the closure of several satellite ESL centers. Our team has determined that, starting this fall, Temple Shalom teachers of ESL classes will teach students in conjunction with a network of area churches in our community, all working in coalition with the Richardson Adult Literacy Center – serving the RISD area. These churches, and now Temple Shalom, collaborate within a group, meeting regularly and sharing insights and best practices. Our teachers may also continue teaching at the Refugee Services of Texas (RST) later in the fall.

We hope you are as excited as we are to continue our journey serving adult learners. If you are interested in learning more, or in becoming a substitute, assistant or teacher, please contact us at esl@templeshalomdallas.org.

Our love for LIFT ‘s mission continues (link is https://lift-texas.org/get-involved/volunteer/), however, and they could still use volunteers at their offices for their GED, Adult Literacy and other programs. In addition, their Toast to Literacy event is coming up in September. Details can be found here. http://toasttoliteracy.org/

Education Initiative Resources

Our Temple Shalom Education Initiative is focused on education throughout the lifespan. We seek to address barriers to education, as well as the supports necessary to encourage a lifetime of learning for all ages. Check out these resources on education, and look for opportunities to learn and participate!

Early Childhood – High School

First3Years the Infant Mental Health Association of Texas addresses teacher education regarding infant and toddler mental health.

Reading Partners addresses reading intervention for K-6th graders in DISD.

Communities in Schools, Dallas Region or North Texas Communities In Schools provides behavioral and academic support to students K-12. School Years:

JCRC Early Childhood Education Initiative: JCRC Education Initiative Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas

Adult Education

Safe Conversations: Good communication at every level of our lives is the foundation for emotional safety, and a life time of learning. Safe Conversations (safeconversations.org) is an organization that believes “it’s the quality of our relationships that determine the quality of society. How we interact with each other in our families, schools, workplaces and communities provides the key to our emotional, physical and economic well-being – and the stability of the society in which we live”.

Lifelong learning resources: National Resource Center for Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes at Northwestern University http://nrc.northwestern.edu/2016/08/olli-resources/.

And, of course, Lifelong Jewish Learning through the Melton School. https://www.meltonschool.org/

Our Signature Partner: LIFT- Literacy Instruction for Texas at lift-tx.org. To get involved with LIFT or our overall education initiative at Temple Shalom, email lift@templeshalomdallas.org.