Jil Cooper Dyan
Jil Cooper Dyan started her journey in Jewish Education as a Madricha, teaching assistant in religious school. It was such a powerful experience that she knew, even as a teen, that Jewish Education was what she was meant to do. Jil went on to teach and then Direct Jewish Preschools. After taking time away to raise her family, Jil came back to the preschool classroom at Temple Judea. Jil has the ability to make something out of nothing! She sees empty containers, rocks, sticks, and just about anything as an avenue for children to explore and create. Jil has created a hands-on children's museum called the “Imagination Station” for Temple Judea’s ECC. The exhibits in the Imagination Station are ever changing from a farmer’s market to a pizza parlor. Jil makes each exhibit using objects she puts together herself. Jil believes, “it is our job as Jewish educators to create environments that help children explore, learn and create. After all, we are growing Menches”!
Jil always seems to be on the cutting edge of what’s happening in early childhood education. She is a team player, and regularly plans curriculum with her partner and the other teachers in her grade level. She is always ready with a new idea, but also willing to listen to the ideas of others. The most significant curricular change that Jil brought to Temple Judea, was the creation of The Imagination Station. She worked with our former director to turn an unused classroom into a children’s museum space that all of our children get to visit and explore regularly. Even though she did not work as a classroom teacher last year, she came to school every week to set up exciting adventures in the garden and the yards. She never stopped inspiring, even when she wasn’t here full time.
- Lisa Whitman, Temple Judea, Director of Early Childhood Center