- BES
After being part of Brawerman West’s second graduating class, Dani Rosenbach attended Windward School, graduating in 2013. She then received a dual degree in Communications and Judaic Studies from the University of Michigan, after which Dani joined Teach for America in 2017 and taught special education to middle school students in the South Side of Chicago. While teaching, Dani also enrolled in the Relay Graduate School of Education and earned a Master’s in Special Education. Outside of work, Dani enjoys quality time with friends, cooking, working out, and traveling. We are thrilled to welcome Dani back home to Brawerman as an Associate Teacher for the 2020-21 school year!
Although difficult to pick just one favorite memory, something that particularly stands out was making the game-winning free throw during a Brawerman Blaze basketball game in 2005. I nervously stepped up to the line, closed my eyes, and proceeded to recite the Sh’ma, Judaism’s most important prayer, before swishing the shot. I’ll never forget Coach Barry’s face when the ball went through the basket. Brawerman instilled within me a love and passion so deep for Judaism that it still permeates my everyday life and informs my identity. I am so grateful to Brawerman for cultivating, growing, and strengthening that love that is always within me.
HOW DID BRAWERMAN HELP PREPARE YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING NOW?
Through encouraging innovative thinking and leadership, Brawerman helped prepare me to become a successful special education teacher both in and out of my classroom. Brawerman also taught me to always dig deeper into myself and give everything my all, which I do with my students every day. Most importantly, Brawerman showed me the value of having a nurturing education and inspired me to pursue education as a career. I hope that my students are able to take away from their education the same drive and motivation that I carry into our classroom each day.
WHAT VALUES DID YOU LEARN AT BRAWERMAN THAT HAVE IMPACTED YOUR LIFE AS AN ADULT?
I learned many important values at Brawerman that have impacted my life as an adult, but I think the most important ones are responsibility and tikkun olam. Not only did I learn to take ownership and responsibility for my actions, but I also realized that I cannot sit idly by and expect other people to fix the world’s problems. Rather, I have a responsibility toward something larger than myself, which is why I chose education as my career. I am determined to make a difference every day in my classroom and instill these same values in my students. There is much work to be done to solve the challenges in education, and my journey is just getting started.