Podcast Live: Building a Relationship-Centered School

At the Rabbi Jacob Pressman Academy of Temple Beth Am, healthy, supportive relationships aren’t just a priority; they’re the foundation of everything they do. Learn how the school builds a culture where resilient relationships fuel academic success, increase teacher job satisfaction, strengthen parent partnerships, and empower effective leadership. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how Pressman brings this vision to life through weekly Kesher (“Connection”) classes, proactive community building in classrooms and advisory, a relational approach to discipline, and proactive and honest parent communication systems, all with rich Judaic Studies integration. This discussion will blend inspiring vision with actionable strategies for creating a relationship-centered school community.

Dr. Erica Rothblum has served as the head of school at Pressman Academy since 2014. She received her EdD in educational leadership from UCLA, she holds an MA in teaching from Loyola Marymount, a California multiple subject teaching credential, a BA in American studies from Barnard College and is a Wexner Field Fellow (class 1). Prior to working at Pressman Academy, Erica was a Teach for America Corps member; taught in both the suburbs of Boston as well as at Camino Nuevo Charter School in Los Angeles; and worked as the director of general studies and then as the head of school at Beth Hillel Day School in Los Angeles. Additionally, Erica has served as a peer coach, lead teacher, grade level chair, mentor teacher and as a teaching supervisor at the American Jewish University.

Shira Landau is a licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience in experiential Jewish education. This is her eleventh year at Pressman Academy, where she served first as the middle school counselor and now as the director of wellness. Shira holds an MA in nonprofit management from Hebrew Union College and an MA in social work from USC. Her master’s thesis focused on the prevalence of bullying and other forms of harassment in Jewish day schools, and included a study of Pressman’s Kesher program as a model for bullying prevention and intervention.