Welcoming our New Teachers in our DJDS Community

Denver Jewish Day School welcomes new additions to its teaching roster. I had the privilege of sitting down with the recently hired teachers Mr.Welling, Mr. Dermer, Dr. Bankier, Mr. Englund, and Dr. Bell. These teachers come from a variety of backgrounds and fields of study, with diverse interests and a commitment to student growth. 

History Buff Turned Educator: Mr. Welling's Impactful Arrival at DJDS

Mr. Welling comes with a strong commitment to community-based education and a passion for history. His journey to DJDS is rooted in his appreciation for the school's atmosphere and values, along with the academic structure that students benefit from.

Mr. Welling has a wide range of interests that enrich his teaching approach. He loves the outdoors, enjoys watching sports (with a special fondness for the Bengals), and values quality time spent with his family. His love for running also reflects his energetic personality.

Reflecting on his personal development, Mr. Welling acknowledges his junior history teacher's influential role. This teacher not only ignited his passion for history but also inspired him to consider serving his country, leading to his decision to join the army.

 An educational approach through movement: Mr. Dermer’s unique teaching style 

With a strong background in language education and an appreciation for our Jewish heritage, Mr. Dermer’s journey has been shaped by many fascinating experiences. Along with growing up in the city of Miami, Mr. Dermer also spent seven years living in Israel, immersing himself in the language and culture. What's even more remarkable is Mr. Dermer’s dedication to studying languages like Arabic, which has helped him develop a unique set of skills that can help enhance our school's language classes. 

Beyond teaching language classes, our new teacher has an interest in various movement forms, such as dance, weight training, and gymnastics. This was influenced by the teachings of a movement expert named Ido Portal; he and Mr. Dermer believe that movement is a great way to approach education for both mental and physical well-being.

When it comes to teaching Mr. Dermer works hard to make sure each student's learning experience fits them just right. He is all about making the classroom interesting by doing activities that help concentration and relaxation. Additionally, he gives credit to an amazing high school English teacher who shaped how he sees life and learning. This teacher showed him how important it is to grow as a person and be a positive part of the community.

Teaching with Heart: Dr. Bankier's Dedication to Special Education: 

Dr. Bankier's arrival in Denver was mainly due to his wife's role as a rabbi. With a background in special education and a history of teaching 10th-grade English, his expertise is a valuable addition to our school. Both of his parents’ work in education came to play a major role in shaping his career path and helping him understand the importance of special education.

Outside of teaching, Dr. Bankier has a strong interest in outdoor activities like mountain biking, backpacking, and mountaineering. He's also very involved in reading books, especially classic fantasy stories, which underscores his curiosity. Spending time with his family is very important to him as well. Dr. Bankier is impressed by how close the DJDS community is and how teachers here get to teach what they love most. Bankier fondly remembers a moment in tenth grade when his English teacher sparked his love for the subject.

Learning with a Smile: Dr. Bell's Vision for Education

Dr. Bell's journey to DJDS started through an observation opportunity during his teacher education program at the University of Denver. In his first experience at the school, Dr. Bell was impressed by how well they balanced serious academics with a warm and friendly atmosphere. It seemed like a place where learning was taken seriously, but also where everyone worked together in a positive way. For Dr. Bell, this combination of focused learning and a welcoming environment creates a great place for education that is both engaging and cooperative.

Outside of teaching, Dr. Bell enjoys outdoor activities like skiing, cycling, and hiking. He's an experienced ski instructor and has even guided high school students during educational trips to Germany. Dr. Bell's leadership approach is built on truly caring about his students' success and believing in their abilities. He's dedicated to being well-prepared and approaches his work with lots of optimism to inspire his students.

Dr. Bell's journey to becoming an educator started in middle school when he realized he was good at explaining complex ideas to his classmates. This sparked his passion for teaching, leading him to his role at DJDS.

"From Parent to Educator: Mr. Englund's Unexpected Journey to DJDS"

Mr. Englund's first connection to DJDS came from his search for a suitable school for his daughter. He admired the curriculum and, unexpectedly, found himself securing a teaching role here. Outside of the classroom, Mr. Englund's interests span a wide range including creative writing, music, as well as activities like boxing and martial arts. His leadership approach draws from valuable experiences during his four years in the Marines.

Upon his first experiences at DJDS, Mr. Englund recognized the school's unique distinction from public schools in terms of less micromanagement. He values the independence he has in teaching and is impressed by the student's genuine enthusiasm for learning. Englund's path to becoming an educator took a twist during his master's in creative writing, sparking a newfound passion for teaching.