Stand and Deliver is O.U.T. Student-centered and project-based learning is radical, new, innovative. I’m not talking 2023. I’m talking about the early 1990’s, thirty years ago, when student-centered learning would have been considered blasphemy by high school faculty colleagues, and project-based learning (see also Boston University’s project-based learning guide) was barely a concept, let alone a term—and then many high school educators called “fluff,” a direct quote from a high school history teacher.

So, between blasphemy and fluff, why did my entire methodology pivot to the here-to-fore maligned by my colleagues? One word: HADASSAH! Yes, strange as that might seem, Hadassah radically changed my teaching style—not only for the better for my students, but also, for my health and sanity as a high school English, International Studies, Advanced Composition, and Public Speaking teacher. Do you feel tired yet? I was exhausted!

So, not feeling that it is necessary to explain the pedagogy, because, after all, I am addressing educators, I will first explain how Hadassah radically changed my teaching style, how it benefited my students (most important!), and how it benefited me, personally.

1. Hadassah! Specifically, two Hadassah leaders, Katie Edelstein and Julie Morris ( ז״ל), were instrumental in training and nurturing a cadre of Hadassah National trainers oh so many years ago. Lo and behold, the leadership development workshops that they created taught me that learning is best when the students are directly involved in what they learn and how they learn it. The basic rule:= 80:20. 80% of the time the students and talking, creating, collaborating, doing! The other 20% is for the teacher to deliver a set of instructions and learning materials.
2. My Students! Of course, my high school students would benefit from being more involved in their learning. A couple of examples:
   A. Katrina was a highly intelligent high school senior who was willing to play the game in my English class, but quite obviously was bored to tears. One day, I took her aside and asked her what she wanted to learn. Her reply? I want to explore the relationship between light and shadow in photography and poetry. The result: an over-the-top display and presentation 3 months later of her own photography and poetry. She presented to the faculty, her peers, and invited guests. Her work was on display at the City Library for 6 weeks. Today, she is a professor of English, specializing in creative writing.
   B. The International Trade Summit, created by high school sophomores in my International Studies course, called for them to group into countries (real) and learn culture, business customs, a bit of language, economics, industry and currency exchange rates. They tasked themselves to create what they thought were desirable widgets to export to other countries in exchange for widgets or currency they needed. All I did was set the guidelines, timelines, and every-changing currency rates. Today: 10 of those former students out of a class of 28 work in various international forums or nonprofits, such as The World Bank, The United Nations, and the Red Cross.
3. My Life! Interestingly enough, and this I did not anticipate, my work stress DECREASED because the students were doing all of the work, including, to some degree, pieces of the evaluations. Therefore, I had more time with my family. You can’t beat THAT!
   Thank you, Hadassah, for making the last 10 years of a 30-year career a joy!