Shira Hammerman is currently the Director of Faculty Learning and Professional Development at the Jewish Educational Center in Elizabeth, NJ. In the past Shira coordinated the Quest for Teaching Excellence Program at the Jewish Federation of Greater Metrowest NJ. Shira also provides professional development for teachers and instructional leaders who use Etgar Yesodi, an integrated 3rd-5th grade Judaics curriculum that she wrote in partnership with the Melton Center at the Jewish Theological Seminary. Shira’s prior experiences in formal and informal Jewish education include teaching in congregational school, day school, synagogue, and camp settings; supporting teachers and pre-service teachers; developing curriculum and educational programs; and researching educational initiatives. Shira completed a doctorate in education and Jewish studies at New York University. Her research explored five dimensions of community that shape the experiences of day school teachers. Shira earned a dual undergraduate degree in Political Science and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Pennsylvania and completed an MS in Elementary Education at the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. Shira is the recipient of the Maxine Fischer Scholarship and Congregation Ahawas Achim Bnei’Jacob and David’s Young Leadership Award. Shira has been involved with Areyvut since 2004 and received Areyvut’s Community Leadership Award in 2014. As of summer 2020, Shira has assumed the Educational Consultant Emeritus title. It has been an absolute pleasure, privilege and honor to work with and to learn from Shira and we wish her continued health and success. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and four children.
