CBI Blogs

Happy Jewish Disability Awareness & Inclusion Month! My name is Lise, and I’m privileged to have the title of Student Services Coordinator for CBI’s Sunday School. When I first took on the role in the Fall of 2021 it was partially due to convenience. We live in San Marcos, and so taking our kids to Sunday School means we are driving close to an hour each way. So, when Carly sent out a call for teachers and staff for Sunday School, I reached out. I figured it was a good way to spend the time while the kids were in class and to get to know a few people at CBI. What I didn’t realize at the time was how meaningful and special this time would be in my weekly schedule.

I’m a college educator and when I think about the ideal learning environment it’s a space where everyone has an equal seat at the table. It’s a shared space of respect and growing. It means that I must be adaptable, flexible, and allow for my students to share the challenges they face. Many of my students walk into class with invisible disabilities and may require accommodations to be successful. Some of them walk in with life experiences that influence the way they learn. What this has taught me as an educator is that there are many ways for students to thrive in a learning environment and that students need compassion, understanding and to be seen. Although the students at CBI are younger, they need the same opportunity for a welcoming and inclusive learning environment.

In my role on Sundays, I have the joy of getting to know many of our students and spending time with any of them who need a little extra care that day. Often that means just saying hi or sitting next to them at T’filah. Sometimes it’s going on walks or getting a snack. Sometimes it’s holding space for them to feel their feelings. But for each of them it’s an opportunity to connect, meet them where they are, and make sure they feel like they have an equal seat at the table.

In addition to supporting our younger students, I also teach an adaptive class for two amazing young men, Jadyn and Jake. Our class meetings involve so much more than traditional learning. In fact, some of the highlights of our class are during breaks where they spend time playing basketball or throwing the football with the middle and high schoolers. These moments are so important because it highlights how inclusive environments can be thoughtfully created through intentional opportunities. And that learning doesn’t always have to be structured in a classroom. Further, Sundays with Jake and Jadyn are beautiful reminders that faith has many forms of expression and to be present in our communal moments … their joy for music and prayer at T’filah is a great example to other students to celebrate their Judaism authentically.

Each Sunday I leave hoping that every child has felt seen and included. I work to ensure that every child who comes to Sunday school can participate and learn in the most meaningful way they are able. My goal is that they leave feeling confident and successful because we’ve met them where they are. Each Sunday I leave with a little extra joy because I get to spend time with so many amazing children and hopefully, we’ve provided a safe space for them to be who they are. I may not know many of the adult members of CBI, but I have the privilege of interacting with the youngest ones.