CAJE and JNTP: Investing in Our Teachers, Strengthening Our Schools
Posted on 08/14/2026 @ 06:30 AM
The Jewish New Teacher Project (JNTP) 7th Cohort with Leah Volynsky, Program Manager (front), Julie Lambert and Valerie Mitrani, CAJE Facilitators (center).
By Valerie Mitrani, CAJE’s Director of Day School Professional Development
A few months ago, the 7th cohort of the CAJE’s Jewish New Teacher Project (JNTP) program came to a close.
Over the past two years, this cohort brought together 20 educators from six South Florida schools — Scheck Hillel Community School, Yeshiva Elementary School, Hebrew Academy (RASG), Tamim Academy, Yeshiva Toras Chaim, and Katz Hillel Day School.
These experienced teachers stepped into the role of mentors, committing to support new educators during their most formative and often most challenging years in the classroom.
Research shows that 1 in 2 new teachers leave the profession within their first five years, often due to a lack of mentorship.
In Jewish day schools, where strong educators are essential to both academic excellence and community continuity, that statistic carries even greater weight.
JNTP was designed to change that trajectory — and it does.
Through ongoing professional learning, mentors developed and refined skills in coaching, classroom observation, and analyzing student learning.
More importantly, they built relationships.
By meeting regularly with their mentees, they provided both practical guidance — around lesson planning, classroom management, and pedagogy — and the kind of steady encouragement that helps new teachers stay and grow in the profession.
The impact of this work extends far beyond individual classrooms.
When new teachers feel supported, they are more likely to remain in the field, improving continuity for students and strengthening school communities overall.
And when veteran teachers feel challenged with a new role, they too are more likely to remain in the field.
One mentor reflected on the experience:
“As an educator with over 20 years in the classroom, participating in the CAJE JNTP program has been a deeply meaningful experience for me. It has reminded me of the early years of my own teaching journey — the challenges, uncertainties, and growth that come with finding your footing as an educator. Being able to support new teachers during this critical stage of their careers has been rewarding. This experience has also encouraged me to reflect on my own practice and remain engaged with evolving educational approaches and perspectives.”
Since 2008, CAJE’s partnership with JNTP has been a central component of our day school professional development offerings.
As this cohort concludes, we celebrate not only what has been accomplished over the past two years, but the ongoing impact of this work — in classrooms, in schools, and on the future of Jewish education in Miami.
For more information about CAJE’s Day School Professional Development work, contact Valerie Mitrani: valeriemitrani@caje-miami.org
