Gain a deeper understanding of neurodevelopment topics such as attention, memory, social skills, language, higher order thinking and how to support students who struggle in these areas;
Explore temperament and classroom ecology to help support students, especially those who struggle;
Gain strategies for understanding and supporting neurodiverse learners and whole classroom strategies to deepen impact on your teaching and all of your students.
Meet Our Facilitators
Tamar Appel, Director of Education for Hidden Sparks, is a past Associate Principal of Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls in Teaneck, NJ, having served there as a teacher and administrator for a combined 18 years. As an educational leader, she has created a culture of ongoing professional development, supportive and productive mentorship of faculty, and academic excellence. She has also served as a mentor for school leaders through Prizmah’s YOU Lead Program and for new teachers through the Jewish New Teacher Project, and has pursued her own professional growth through programs including the Summer Institute for Principals at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Hollis Dannaham, M.Ed., is a special education and literacy consultant, coach, mentor, and workshop facilitator for Hidden Sparks. She has been empowering complex learners for 40 years as a learning/reading specialist, special educator, administrator, and consultant in public, private, Jewish Day, and charter schools. Along with her work for Hidden Sparks, Hollis currently is the Director of Student Support Services at the Middle Way School in Saugerties, NY, and has a thriving tutoring practice. Career highlights include working as a learning specialist at the Student Success Center of All Kinds of Minds, opening the Carmel Alternative High School, and being the founding Director of Academic support at a Brooklyn charter school. Hollis’ goal is to support joyful learning for all children and joyful teaching for all teachers.
Andrea Rousso taught for 33 years before joining the Hidden Sparks team as a coach and facilitator. She initially taught emotionally fragile children with special needs, and subsequently served as a teacher-trainer for special education. Andrea received a Bank Street Early Childhood Education award for her innovative curriculum and teaching style, and was a certified facilitator for the Schools Attuned Program of All Kinds of Minds. Andrea also works as a part-time consultant in three NYC public schools, where she meets with teachers to assist them with curriculum adaptations and understanding classroom behaviors.
Testimonials
“The Hidden Sparks training that I received has informed every aspect of my teaching. As much as I thought I was listening to students, working with their strengths, and helping them. Now there is a greater joy in teaching because I can figure it out and make a difference, and that’s going to affect my students for years to come. “ Rebecca Nenner, Teacher, Hebrew Academy of Nassau County, West Hempstead
“As an administrator, I found that I’ve always known that students do well if they can but I didn’t always know how to apply it in practice. Taking the training has given me more insight into how to reach every child on a practical level so that they can do well. When students come into my office with behavioral issues, I’ve found that I am in a better place to be able to understand what happened that caused the child to have a maladaptive response.” -Rabbi Yaakov Sebbag, Principal, United Lubavitcher Yeshiva
Our next course in NYC will take place in July 2025. Click here to join our mailing list to receive updates and exact dates when they become available.
