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Amy Nathan, Grade 11I chose the Academy because…I wanted a school that could further my Judaic learning, while still maintaining a high-quality secular curriculum. Additionally, I wanted a school with Zionistic beliefs that could strengthen my connection with Israel.My favorite course has been…freshman biology with Mr. Newman. I found the topic to be interesting, and Mr. Newman’s method of teaching clicked with my study habits. I learned how to take standard tests with time limits. Because I enjoyed the subject, I was motivated to prepare for the exams.The learning environment at ICJA is…encouraging. It promotes students to form study groups together, and it helps students develop study and organizational skills.A teacher who has been the most influential is…Mrs. Wainkrantz. She taught Navi to me freshman year. Her enthusiasm for Torah study and for her students transferred into her teaching. The atmosphere that she created as a teacher inspired me. I remember many concepts that she taught. In particular, I reviewed my notes about Yonah before Yom Kippur because she delved into it so deeply and dedicatedly. I still remember what she taught us the first day of school. She made interesting correlations between various sections of the Torah. Her love for teaching inspired me and passed on that same eagerness to learn.The social atmosphere at the Academy is…welcoming. Students from different elementary schools come together, and it is easy to form new friendships. New students are greeted warmly.My greatest success as a student here so far…was being selected as the Illinois Level III winner of the Letters About Literature competition.Advice that I would give to a prospective student is…not to get too stressed freshman year. Although many classes may be overwhelming at first, in time you will benefit from them and learn to organize your time.Awards that I have received…I was selected the Level III winner for the state competition of Letter About Literature. The competition entailed writing to an author whose work inspired you.Freshman year, I received the ICJA Midot, Torah diligence, and Chesed awards. Sophomore year, I received the Torah diligence and Chesed awards. |
