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Nina Jaffe

Supervised Fieldwork Advisor, Course Instructor

Academic Interests

Critical pedagogy Language and diversity World music and arts in service of educational equity

Recent Courses Taught

Some of the Values that Shape My Work

Reconnecting to sources that nourish multiple perspectives and inclusive, culturally aware pedagogy is essential to my work as author, storyteller and teacher educator:

A kindersher seychel is oychet a sekhel -- “A child’s wisdom is also wisdom” (Yiddish proverb) A life span approach to development in which we view children, adults and ourselves in spiral, ever-evolving phases of growth and possibility.

“Tikoroo nko agyina” - “One head cannot exchange ideas with itself” (Ashanti proverb) True learning is grounded in community and social interactions. Educators need to encourage and provide pathways for collaboration that exist among all participants and stake-holders.

“In every... teacher, there is the voice of the ancient storyteller” - Herbert Kohl (On teaching). Just as we strive to engage children in voicing their ideas so do educators need time and resources to sustain and renew their own unique capacities in helping children reach their highest goals and potential.

Work with Families, Children, Schools, and Communities

Bilingual special education classroom teacher and resource room [Spanish/English] in Upper Manhattan; bilingual special education evaluator; storyteller-in-residence in public schools and community centers; conga player; experimental music and dance performance artist; early childhood music specialist; creative movement specialist in therapeutic residence for children; family outreach and intergenerational programs.

Selected Professional Development Work

Keynote and conference presentations in global literacy and multilingual oral traditions (songs, games, folktales): project director of FEAST: Folklore Education & Storytelling for Teachers; webcast and media projects for the Office of Head Start Dual Language Program at Early Childhood Knowledge & Learning Center online; co-host Scholastic Teacher Radio.

Educational Background

  • M.S. Ed., Bank Street College of Education
  • B.A., Wesleyan University

Selected Publications

  • Jaffe, N. (2011, January). Sky bear’s gift: A native american tale. Highlights High Five, pp. 6-9.

  • Jaffe, N. (2005), The golden flower: A taíno myth from Puerto Rico. Illus. E. O. Sánchez. Houston, TX: Arte Publico Press.
  • Jaffe, N. (2004), I am Wonder Woman: The contest.  Illus. B. Caldwell.  New York:  Harper Collins.
  • Jaffe, N. (2001), Patakín: World tales of drums and drummers. Illus. E. Eagle. Chicago: Cricket Press.
  • Jaffe, N. (2000), Storytelling and folk narrative in classroom life. In Nager, N. &  Shapiro E.K. (Eds.), Revisiting a progressive pedagogy. The developmental-interaction approach. (pp. 161-18). Albany, NY:  SUNY Press.
  • Jaffe, N. (1998) The way meat loves salt:  A Cinderella tale from the Jewish tradition. Illus. L. August.  New York: Holt.
  • Jaffe, N. (1997) The mysterious visitor: Stories of the prophet Elijah. Illus. E. Savadier.  New York: Scholastic.

  • Jaffe, N. (1997) A voice for the people: The life and work of Harold Courlander. New York: Holt.

Find me also on:

Nina Jaffe Exploring Everyday Folklore with Nina Jaffe - Scholastic Online Ready for Success: Diversity & Multicultural Integration in Head Start & Early Head Start: Supporting Dual Language Learners, webcast [Part II]

Contact me:

(212) 875-4492 njaffe@bankstreet.edu
610 W 112Th St # 631
New York, NY 10025-1898