Top Mfs Educator, College Guidance Counselor Hired
Friday, March 03, 2006
TOP MEMPHIS EDUCATOR AND PROMINENT COLLEGE GUIDANCE COUNSELOR TO HOLD KEY POSITIONS AT MEMPHIS JEWISH HIGH SCHOOL
Memphis, TN (3/3/06) – Andy Groveman, President of Memphis Jewish High School, along with its founders, announces the hiring of two key positions.
"We are so pleased to welcome Ms. Joan Traffas, a 19-year master teacher formerly with St. Mary's in Memphis, as the general studies coordinator and master teacher at Memphis Jewish High School She represents our unswerving commitment to excellence in education, both in general studies and Jewish studies,” said Groveman. "Joan's expertise is teaching European History, Humanities, Thesis Research and World History. She has also taught AP European History, United States History, Contemporary History seminars, Cultural Studies, Research Paper Methodology among other courses."
Ms. Traffas believes, "Learning is a lifelong adventure which can and should be joyous. The teacher's role is to empower the student through subject-focused dialogue, to expand knowledge, to experience different types of learning, and to practice decision making." Groveman continued, "Joan's philosophy about teaching is one that is inspiring and exactly what we were seeking to be able to maximize each of our student’s potential." During the last 19 years at St. Mary’s, Traffas says she has "learned the meaning and importance of teamwork, open communication, vertical teaming, school-wide community cooperation, active parental involvement, and a shared sense of mission." She is particularly sensitive to individual learning styles and the needs and talents of different students. "I have an appreciation for market realities which require flexibility, loyalty, and, most importantly, accountability," says Traffas. She is also an advocate of curriculum mapping, teacher webpages and portfolios.
In addition to her master teaching skills in the classroom, Ms. Traffas brings with her an enormous commitment and expertise to co-curricular activities. She was the founder and sole editor of Cliosophy, St. Mary’s history journal which was recognized by the Shelby County Historical Commission and the Memphis Preservation Society in a 2003 award ceremony. As well, she was an advisor to a Contemporary Issues Club, Model UN and YMCA Youth Legislature. She served as an advisor to the National Honor Society and was in complete charge of Induction ceremonies and service projects. Also, she served as yearbook advisor for ten years and as a darkroom director in conjunction with the yearbook.
"We are equally excited to announce the hiring of Rebecca Pharr as our college guidance counselor. Becky, as she is known widely within our Memphis community, brings to Memphis Jewish High School over 20 years of hands-on, individualized counseling to students and parents alike which ensures that each student will have an opportunity to be admitted to their college of choice. Hiring Becky, whose most recent position was director of college counseling at Ridgeway High School for the past 11 years, to work on behalf of our high school students is a real coup for our school ," continued Groveman. "We wanted prospective parents and students to know that we have an unequivocal commitment to helping our students be admitted to their school of choice. Depending on each individual child's needs, Becky has placed students in small community colleges and Ivy League schools," he added. As the first recipient of the University of Tennessee’s award for College Guidance Counselor of the Year, Ms. Pharr says her philosophy is "to allow each student a chance to identify their needs and aspirations in order to guide them to the appropriate college where they will be happy academically, emotionally and socially." Ms. Pharr was instrumental in building the Jewish student participation at Ridgeway. Prior to that position, she was the guidance coordinator and college counselor at Central High School in Memphis.
In making these first public announcements, Memphis Jewish High School is well on its way to meeting the school's mission which is to offer the very best general studies and Jewish studies education in the region. More announcements will follow soon. The school will open in Fall 2006.
For more information or an application, please call 901.260.7278.
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