We have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions about Hidden Sparks Professional Development Programs. If you have unanswered questions or would like more information, please Contact Us.
General FAQ's
Q. Is there a cost for Hidden Sparks programs?
A. The Hidden Sparks External Coach program has been generously funded through grants. There is an application process and 8 schools are selected for a 3-5 year cycle. For the Internal Coach Program Hidden Sparks covers the cost of training and mentoring Internal Coaches. Any additional expenses incurred by the school or Internal Coach are covered by the participating school. Hidden Sparks Without Walls courses are available, at no cost, to educators in Jewish schools throughout the United States and Canada.
Q. How can I find out more about bringing Hidden Sparks to my school?
A. Please contact the Hidden Sparks office and speak with Executive Director, Debbie Niderberg or Director of Education, Karen Kruger: news@www.hiddensparks.org or 212-767-7707.
Q. Who can benefit from Hidden Sparks programs?
A. Hidden Sparks is designed to help all educators, regardless of background or number of years in the field, increase their understanding and tools for teaching children with learning and behavioral differences in mainstream Jewish day schools/yeshivas. Its programs are designed to strengthen school's capacity for teaching to diverse learners and to help students to succeed in school.
Q. Who is eligible to participate in Hidden Sparks programs?
A. School personnel at New York City and New Jersey Jewish day schools are eligible to apply for Hidden Sparks Professional Development programs. Schools qualify if they are located in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut and have acquired tax-exempt status. They also must be accredited by the New York State Board of Regents, been in existence for at least five years, and have both a Judaic and General Studies faculty of no fewer than five teachers. Schools must enroll at least 10 students per grade.
Q. Will the training for the Internal Coaches be held during the day?
A. The training for internal school coaches consists of six nonconsecutive full days of training and is usually split between Sundays and weekdays.
Q. What is the time commitment for internal coaches?
A. Internal coaches begin with a six day (nonconsecutive) training program. Following the initial training program, internal coaches spend 2-3 hours visiting a school that is currently offering the Hidden Sparks program, in order to shadow a coach and see first-hand how the coaching sessions are led. Post-training, internal coaches attend monthly 2-hour mentoring sessions. Once they start coaching in their school, they begin with 1 grade. The time allocation for the school-based coaching depends on the number of classes per grade, However, we estimate an average of 2 additional hours per week. This estimate takes into account the monthly Hidden Sparks meetings.
Q. When will the monthly meetings for Internal Coaches be held?
A. Monthly meetings for Internal Coaches rotate times throughout the year and are determined by the group. A portion are held between 9:30-11:30 am, and a portion take place between 2:00-4:00 or 3:00-5:00 pm. Meeting locations rotate between Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, based on the group.
Q. Can a School send more than one Internal Coach?
A. Yes, in fact, we encourage schools to send teams of Internal Coaches, ideally one from early childhood, several from elementary school and from middle school. It is our hope that participating Hidden Sparks schools ultimately develop in-house expertise for each division of their school, so that they have a trained expert for early childhood, elementary school, middle school and high school. Schools interested in sending multiple faculty members for training as Internal coaches should submit an application for each faculty member, as they will be considered separately.
Q. Should the school submit separate applications for separate campuses?
A. Yes.
Q. When will the SCALE program for principals take place?
A. The training for principals does not currently have a third cycle planned. However, ICP participating schools have a Hidden Sparks mentor assigned to their ICP coach who visits the school. During each of two visits the ICP mentor can facilitate a staff or administrative workshop. Prior arrangements must be made with Hidden Sparks.
Q. Do Hidden Sparks coaches have experience in a range of Jewish schools?
A. Yes, Hidden Sparks coaches have the experience, expertise and sensitivity to work within the range of Jewish schools. All coaches speak Hebrew and several speak Yiddish.
