Lauren Blumenthal teaches at Bader Hillel Academy
Upon finishing her teaching certificate, Lauren Blumenthal began searching for a teaching position, with her sights set on early education in the Milwaukee area. She came across a paraprofessional position in a K-5 classroom at Bader Hillel Academy (BHA) and applied. Brad Grayvold, the assistant principal at BHA, noticed her extensive art background and quickly reached out to ask if she would be interested in splitting her time between an art position and working as a paraeducator. She was called in for an interview right away, offered the position the next day, and packed up to move to the Milwaukee area almost immediately.
Blumenthal was born and raised in Columbus, a small community near Madison with a population of about 3,500. “It’s cool to go from one small community to another small community at BHA where everyone knows each other. Communication is super easy. The kids all know about each other, like if someone is sick, they are so quick to make a get-well card.”
Her path to teaching wasn’t exactly planned. After high school, she attended UW–Green Bay intending to study jazz. During her first semester, she enrolled in a photography class simply to complete her schedule – and one class was all it took. She fell in love with photography and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in the field.
After graduating, Blumenthal moved back home and explored different career paths before taking a substitute teaching job in Sun Prairie. Through Operation Fresh Start, a Madison-based organization that helps young adults find direction, her career coach connected her with a long-term substitute position teaching ceramics. “It was so much fun! I knew nothing about ceramics, I knew nothing about teaching, but I had an art degree and confidence and I rocked it!”
That experience led her to a position at a preschool called The Gingerbread House, where she worked while completing her teaching certification through UW-Madison’s Teacher’s Pledge program. In exchange for committing to teach in Wisconsin for three years, the program covered the cost of licensure. After earning her certification, she began applying for positions and ultimately found her place at Bader Hillel Academy.
Now in her role, Blumenthal is excited to bring her art background into the classroom through a process-based approach known as Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB). “For me it’s more important that kids understand how art is made rather than them all making the same piece of art. For example, my goal is not that all the kids have a beautiful replica of Starry Night, but that they understand how to mix the paint to get the colors to represent Starry Night.” She describes her projects as “skill builders” and has designed the art room to support that philosophy, with different stations and materials that allow students to explore and develop their own artistic vision.
Blumenthal comes from a creative family with a Catholic mother and a Jewish father, and she was raised to be open-minded and curious. Growing up, she was involved in everything from acting and dance to karate and football. “I’ve always had a love for learning and it has been maintained within me,” she said.
That mindset continues to guide her, both personally and professionally. “I believe in the goodness of people, I believe in a love that surrounds everybody, and I believe in taking care of one another. Since I’ve been here, I’ve found that within the Judaic community there’s a sense of togetherness and a universal energy, and I really like how that feels.”
Now living in Shorewood with her partner, Blumenthal feels she is exactly where she is meant to be – continuing to grow as an educator while also deepening her connection to her Jewish roots.
MEET AN EDUCATOR
Writer Nicole Boico is the associate director of the Coalition for Jewish Learning of Milwaukee Jewish Federation. This regular feature, from the Coalition for Jewish Learning, is to celebrate local educators. To suggest someone for coverage, contact Boico at NicoleB@MilwaukeeJewish.org.
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