Toward the Professionalization of Jewish Teaching


 

Publication Date: February 1990

Publisher: Commission on Jewish Education in North America

Author(s): Isa Aron

Research Area: Education

Keywords: Professionalism; Jewish Education; Employment; Educators

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

This paper looks at the Jewish teaching profession through the rubric of three criteria assumed to be integral to any profession: legitimacy, autonomy and commitment. Section one analyzes the extent to which the Jewish teaching profession meets these criteria; section two concerns the differences between Jewish and secular education, and the implications of these differences for the legitimacy and autonomy of Jewish teachers. Section three explores several dimensions of commitment which are particularly relevant to Jewish teaching. Section four offers recommendations on how to increase the professionalism of Jewish teachers.