Packing the Sunscreen and the Whiteboard

I'm deep-diving into vacation planning, lost in spreadsheets of flights, hotels, and excursions. Spreadsheets with details like reservations, tours, and dates are driving my planning. I am excited to travel to Arizona for the first time this July. My family will visit Zion National Park, Antelope Canyon, Grand Canyon, Sedona, and Phoenix.

At the same time, I am immersed in growing Parpar Jewish Education Group. I create engaging lesson plans, meet prospective clients, and start new projects. I have realized that these two endeavors are connected.

Plans and Maps

Planning a trip and creating learning plans both require a detailed roadmap. Without the map of your journey, you will find yourself lost in the wilderness. Sometimes literally. For vacation planning, it's booking hotels, flights, and excursions. For lesson planning, it's creating plans tailored to specific learning styles with engaging activities. Both kinds of maps share the same purpose: guiding the experience for maximum enjoyment and impact.

Flexibility

Unexpected events may happen on a vacation. A canceled reservation or a flight delay can put a damper on your experience. One must remain nimble, go with the flow, and be adaptable. The same goes for a lesson with students. Flexibility is key - a planned lesson may end up not being appropriate for the learner's skills or abilities. A seasoned teacher sees this and can adapt almost immediately when a student struggles to grasp a concept. I am continually flexing my flexibility muscles.

Celebration

Recognizing achievements, big or small, keep everyone motivated. My family will be visiting a few national parks this summer. Hiking to an unbelievable view of a glorious natural wonder is a cause for a high five. So is the realization that your student has read and understood a problematic concept. Always find a reason to celebrate these milestones.

Memories

Finally, memories and newly learned skills are the most precious souvenirs—memories from a well-planned trip last a lifetime. The skills and experiences students acquire in learning with me will be souvenirs they carry forever.

The connection between my vacation planning and my lesson planning reminds me that I am shaping experiences, fostering growth, and creating indelible memories. I look forward to the opportunity to do this for you and your family - not planning your vacation (although I have gotten pretty good at that) but planning a learning experience for you and your family that will accomplish all of these things.