EMPOWERING EDUCATORS
Are you concerned by the lack of empathy and kindness you observe in your students?
Are you frustrated by the lack of tools to support them?
I UNDERSTAND YOU.
I AM A TEACHER.
My Story
In 2008, I faced a daunting challenge as a kindergarten teacher with a unique class. These young students showed impulsivity, severe social-skill deficits, aggression, and a surprising lack of kindness.
Despite using the latest tools from social-emotional programs, they provided only temporary relief. The students continued to struggle with their innate weaknesses and lacked the necessary skills for positive growth. The daily intensity of disruptive incidents left me physically and emotionally drained.
Did Others Have Answers?
As I talked to other teachers, I found that they faced similar challenges. We realized our own education had not prepared us well to teach social-emotional skills. Moreover, we saw that children today face even bigger challenges than we did when we were young. This made it urgent to find a solution that could effectively help them. In my lowest moments, an idea struck me—a vision of a classroom where teachers received steadfast support to help students grow. I imagined children embracing personal growth, empathy, and kindness, celebrating every victory, no matter how small. I dreamed of nurturing a classroom community that instilled a sense of identity, responsibility, and Jewish values in young hearts.
Transformation
Driven by my passion for lasting change, I knew the desire for transformation had to start within each child. It would require courage, perseverance, and guidance. Determined to address this need, I launched Project TEAM—a program empowering both teachers and students to foster meaningful change. Project TEAM uses relatable puppet characters to help children grow personally. It gives them chances to conquer challenges, celebrate victories, and support friends. In TEAM classrooms, children work as a team, helping and cheering each other on, creating a vibrant culture of celebrating successes. TEAM's impact reaches beyond classrooms. Students thrive equipped with essential life skills, empathy, and a sincere desire to contribute positively to the world. Teachers rediscover their passion for teaching, and families witness the remarkable transformation in their children.
TEAM offers hope
In a world where technology challenges genuine connections and anxiety levels rise, TEAM offers hope. Join our community of educators worldwide who are transforming the lives of thousands of children. Together, let's empower the next generation with the emotional resilience and strength to navigate life's challenges, ensuring a brighter future for all.
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My school is Spanish-speaking, but it’s worth the effort to translate the puppet shows. I find that it teaches the kids middos and how to deal with emotions, and when challenges come up in the classroom, the teacher can remind them about what we saw in the puppet show. It's been very beneficial
Nechama Benayon
Preschool Director, Peru
OUR MISSION
Every Jewish child has a unique mission that only they can fulfill.
As part of the army of Hashem, children can transform the world into a place where Hashem feels at home. Each mitzvah and personal victory infuses the world with Hashem’s Presence, which brings Moshiach closer.
Children often face obstacles that stunt their personal growth.
T.E.A.M. equips educators to empower children with the tools they need to succeed in their important mission, overcome challenges, and celebrate endless victories.
TEAM is based on Torah principles of character refinement and social interaction. It includes inspirational messages from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, culled from his written addresses to children.
OUR TEAM
TEAM Director
Mrs. Sima Susskind
Sima is passionate about sharing the message of the Lubavitcher Rebbe with the children of today and the educators who guide them—that every child can completely transform their behavior, fulfill their mission with great strength, and bring endless joy to Hashem.
As a master at connecting with children and their parents, Sima quickly gets to the core of any issue. With over 20 years of experience in teaching, directing, and coaching, she’s had the privilege of witnessing hundreds of children transform and break through barriers once thought impossible.
Sima completed training with Hand-in-Hand Parenting by Connection for Professionals, she is trained in the latest parenting methodologies, and is a certified marriage coach through the Torah Psychology School of Coaching and Counseling.
Sima believes that together, we can pave the way for children to reach their fullest potential.
TEAM is a project of the world-renowned Jewish children’s organization Tzivos Hashem since 2013.
Each of its 30 themes has been thoroughly reviewed and approved by a representative of each committee below.
Rabbinical board
Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf, Dean of Cheder Lubavitch Hebrew Day School, Skokie, IL
Rabbi Zalmen L. Markowitz, Educational Consultant, Merkos Linyonei Chinuch
Rabbi Bentzion Stein, Dean of Cheder Oholei Yosef Yitzchok Lubavitch, Oak Park, MI
Rabbi Zalman Dubinsky, Rosh Yeshiva Tiferes Bachurim, Morristown NJ
Expert review panel
Dr. Sonia Roitman, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Child Psychologist, Stamford, CT
Mrs. Rifka Schonfeld, Director, SOS
Brooklyn, NY
Mrs. Susan M. Goutkovitch, a”h, LMSW, yeshivah-based social worker, Farmington, MI
Educational Team
Mrs. Vivi Deren, Founding Director, Gan Yeladim Preschool, Stamford, CT
Mrs. Sarah Hecht, Director, Chai Tots Preschool, Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY
Mrs. Fraidel Zucker, Experienced Early Childhood Educator, Scranton, PA
Mrs. Shulamis Rothman, Experienced Elementary School Educator, Pittsburgh, PA