When Wise School sixth-grade teacher Sarah Shpall was told early last week that there would be an all-school assembly on Thursday morning, she expressed frustration. She went directly to head of school Tami Weiser’s office and said, “What are we doing?”
Holding an assembly with such late notice would cut into instruction time, she argued to Head of School Tami Weiser.
It is that very commitment and dedication to education that, unbeknownst to her, had earned her the starring role in that assembly. In a surprise ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 21, she was honored by the Milken Family Foundation (MFF) and Builders of Jewish Education (BJE) with the Jewish Educator Award.
“When making the decision to become a teacher, I thought about all the teachers I have had over the years and the impact they had on me. I wanted to provide that impact for other kids and to teach them to love school,” said Ms. Shpall, after receiving her award from Wise’s own Lowell Milken, founder of the Jewish Educator Awards and chairman and co-founder of the Milken Family Foundation. “Each day I want my students to leave feeling good about themselves, learning not only academics, but also how to have a good heart and be a good human.”
As Milken spoke to the Wise School student body and teachers, Ms. Shpall stood against the air wall separating the back of the Westwood Sanctuary from the Udko Annex. She had no idea that her mother Bev, father Bob, and three siblings—Mark, Andy, and Renee—were waiting on the other side, peeking around the corner to film Milken’s remarks on cell phones.
Milken enlisted the help of some Wise students as he explained that the yet-unnamed winner of the award would also receive a financial prize. Six students marched out of the crowd holding placards that, when placed together, read “$15,000.” Moments later, he opened an envelope, announced Ms. Shpall’s name, and set off a roar among teachers, students, and administrators.
In 13 years at Wise, Ms. Shpall has used her infectious sense of humor, creativity and artistic skills to engage sixth grade students in their daily studies, expertly weaving Torah teachings and Judaic principles into every lesson. She developed own interactive grammar notebook, co-chaired the writing curriculum review committee, and worked with mentor Mary Itri to co-direct the school play. She coordinates all grade-level activities, directs the graduation ceremony, and this past year helped lead the annual sixth grade Israel trip, where students had the unique opportunity to experience teachings from their Judaic Studies firsthand.
“For someone who’s up in front of kids all day, I really don’t enjoy being up in front of people like this,” Ms. Shpall said as she accepted the award. “I think back to when I was a student, and school was very difficult for me. I like to tell my students that — I was telling one of them just the other day — that it was actually really challenging. I hope that that informs the way and motivates the way I teach because I want to be able to reach those students where it doesn’t come super easy to them, because that was me.”
Two of Stephen Wise Temple Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback’s three daughters have gone through Ms. Shpall’s class, and Rabbi Yoshi himself was once a member of the sixth grade teaching team. Addressing Ms. Shpall from the bima, he spoke from firsthand experience: “You’re always there, you’re always showing up, you’re always available for your students and your colleagues,” he said.
The Milken Family Foundation has been recognizing teachers with the Jewish Educator Award since 1990. Outstanding teachers, administrators, and other education professionals in the Greater Los Angeles area who have significantly and positively impacted BJE-affiliated day schools are the primary candidates for the Jewish Educator Awards. The initiative, established by MFF in cooperation with BJE, provides opportunities for public recognition and financial rewards honoring professionals’ proven commitment to education. A confidential committee of educators, professionals and lay leaders among the Jewish community select Award recipients annually.
“I can’t think of anyone who has given so much of every piece of their soul to teaching and to their students,” said Ms. Shpall’s sister-in-law Tammy Shpall, the Ninth Grade Dean at deToledo High School who earned the award in 2016.
Four current teachers and administrators at Wise have been honored with the award, including Patty Tanner (2018), Mary Itri (2012), Director of Hebrew and Judaic Studies Malka Clement (2008), Director of General Studies/Student Support Pam Kleinman (2004), and kindergarten teacher Deborah Norwood (1998).
Other past Wise recipients include Jan Navah (2003), Carol Goldman (2001), Ofra Dor (1996), Valerie Lev (1994), and Metuka Benjamin (1990).
