Our stories are who we are, as individuals and as a community. Life is better with stories. Is there even life without them?
Stories from the Field is a space for inspirational stories of reflective practice in Jewish Early Childhood Education.
As Jewish holidays approached in 2020, Judi Morosohk and Veronica Maravankin addressed a need for professional reflection. They cultivated opportunities for educators to share stories from the field in the Paradigm Project webinar series, Rhythms of the Jewish Year. As philosopher John Dewey stated, “We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience,” we believe intentional reflection brings deeper understanding to one's journey.
Brave Paradigm Project shifters have shared their stories at conferences and virtually. As participants hear other educators’ profound stories, they build connections that enlighten their path. Stories from the Field connect us across great distances, inviting us to listen and collaborate, regardless of our titles.
In preparation for The Paradigm Project 2023 Annual Conference, Veronica Maravankin, Eli Eshel, and Lisa Plotkin coached educators to present their Stories from the Field. This spectacular series and the ensuing inspiration sparked a conversation between Anna Hartman and Jenna Turner, “Wouldn’t it be cool if educators could have an even greater impact by sharing their stories?” The conversation shifted to, “How might we amplify this positive impact and increase accessibility?” A video tool that could be used for professional development was born! Thanks to our working partner, Tiny Windows LLC, the vision became reality.
Stories from the Field are intended to highlight the process and power of reflection. Each story is unique to the presenter’s personal experience. Through collegial, reflective coaching, we dig deep to uncover a positive shift in their practice, often a wondrous a-ha moment. The Jewish lenses live through this experience and help to shed light on the beautiful depth of our daily work and joy.
Our journey has brought us to The Stories from the Field Video Collection! We invite you to watch these 10-minute vignettes to hear from educators across the country, and be inspired.
We invite educators in any role to consider sharing their ideas, inquiries, and stories. Even a twinkle of an idea from, yes, YOU! could become an inspiring Story from the Field. Email Eli & Lisa with your thoughts or to suggest a colleague’s story.
Stories from the Field is a space for inspirational stories of reflective practice in Jewish Early Childhood Education.
As Jewish holidays approached in 2020, Judi Morosohk and Veronica Maravankin addressed a need for professional reflection. They cultivated opportunities for educators to share stories from the field in the Paradigm Project webinar series, Rhythms of the Jewish Year. As philosopher John Dewey stated, “We do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience,” we believe intentional reflection brings deeper understanding to one's journey.
Brave Paradigm Project shifters have shared their stories at conferences and virtually. As participants hear other educators’ profound stories, they build connections that enlighten their path. Stories from the Field connect us across great distances, inviting us to listen and collaborate, regardless of our titles.
In preparation for The Paradigm Project 2023 Annual Conference, Veronica Maravankin, Eli Eshel, and Lisa Plotkin coached educators to present their Stories from the Field. This spectacular series and the ensuing inspiration sparked a conversation between Anna Hartman and Jenna Turner, “Wouldn’t it be cool if educators could have an even greater impact by sharing their stories?” The conversation shifted to, “How might we amplify this positive impact and increase accessibility?” A video tool that could be used for professional development was born! Thanks to our working partner, Tiny Windows LLC, the vision became reality.
Stories from the Field are intended to highlight the process and power of reflection. Each story is unique to the presenter’s personal experience. Through collegial, reflective coaching, we dig deep to uncover a positive shift in their practice, often a wondrous a-ha moment. The Jewish lenses live through this experience and help to shed light on the beautiful depth of our daily work and joy.
Our journey has brought us to The Stories from the Field Video Collection! We invite you to watch these 10-minute vignettes to hear from educators across the country, and be inspired.
We invite educators in any role to consider sharing their ideas, inquiries, and stories. Even a twinkle of an idea from, yes, YOU! could become an inspiring Story from the Field. Email Eli & Lisa with your thoughts or to suggest a colleague’s story.
Sommer O'Donnell, Classroom Teacher
Temple Israel Early Childhood Learning Center, New York, NY
Stories We Share, 2025
Join Sommer as she reflects on her journey from the stage to early childhood education and how bringing her full self into the classroom invites children to discover the value of their own voices and stories. As Tahir Shah says, “Stories are a communal currency of humanity.”
Temple Israel Early Childhood Learning Center, New York, NY
Stories We Share, 2025
Join Sommer as she reflects on her journey from the stage to early childhood education and how bringing her full self into the classroom invites children to discover the value of their own voices and stories. As Tahir Shah says, “Stories are a communal currency of humanity.”
Hoa Diep, Atelierista
Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Mann Campus, Los Angeles, California
Lucas and the Tallest Tree, 2025
There's something growing here: Hoa shares her story about slowing down, trusting the process, and discovering transformation in small moments. In the atelier, children remind us that growth doesn't always move in straight lines; it bends, twists, and takes root in unexpected ways. As Rainer Maria Rilke said, "And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer."
Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Mann Campus, Los Angeles, California
Lucas and the Tallest Tree, 2025
There's something growing here: Hoa shares her story about slowing down, trusting the process, and discovering transformation in small moments. In the atelier, children remind us that growth doesn't always move in straight lines; it bends, twists, and takes root in unexpected ways. As Rainer Maria Rilke said, "And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer."
Jess Bokor, Classroom Educator
Jewish Council for Youth Services, Wicker Park
Chicago, Illinois
Embers to Flames, 2024
Albert Einstein said, “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” Educator Jess Bokor invites us into her journey, from burnout to renewal, where storytelling becomes the bridge back to purpose, joy, and connection.
Jewish Council for Youth Services, Wicker Park
Chicago, Illinois
Embers to Flames, 2024
Albert Einstein said, “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” Educator Jess Bokor invites us into her journey, from burnout to renewal, where storytelling becomes the bridge back to purpose, joy, and connection.
Eli Eshel, Classroom Educator
Saul Spielberg Early Childhood Center
St. Louis, Missouri
Learning a Language, 2023
Loris Malaguzzi said, “The child has a hundred languages.” Listen to Eli’s reflection of learning through different languages and intentionally bringing her reflective process into the classroom.
Saul Spielberg Early Childhood Center
St. Louis, Missouri
Learning a Language, 2023
Loris Malaguzzi said, “The child has a hundred languages.” Listen to Eli’s reflection of learning through different languages and intentionally bringing her reflective process into the classroom.
Anne Schwartz, Kindergarten Teacher
CBI Forest School
Charlottesville, Virginia
One Single Photo, 2023
Carla Rinaldi said, “Documentation is not about what we do but what we are searching for.” Hear how Anne chooses what to document and share with families through a powerful, intentional, and inspiring tool.
CBI Forest School
Charlottesville, Virginia
One Single Photo, 2023
Carla Rinaldi said, “Documentation is not about what we do but what we are searching for.” Hear how Anne chooses what to document and share with families through a powerful, intentional, and inspiring tool.
Mindy Oswalt, Lead Teacher
Temple Beth Hillel ECE
Los Angeles, California
My Journey to ECE, 2024
According to Martha Stewart, “If you learn something new every day, you can teach something new every day.” Hear about Mindy’s inspiring journey and her passion for lifelong learning.
Temple Beth Hillel ECE
Los Angeles, California
My Journey to ECE, 2024
According to Martha Stewart, “If you learn something new every day, you can teach something new every day.” Hear about Mindy’s inspiring journey and her passion for lifelong learning.
