Educator of the Year

The Hartman Family Foundation Educator Of The Year Award

The Hartman Family Foundation Educator of the Year Award, generously sponsored by the Hartman Family Foundation, has recognized outstanding educators for the last 13 years.

Teachers are nominated by colleagues, parents and students and then three winners are selected for the esteemed award every year. In a culmination of a thorough evaluation process, one award of $18,000 and two awards of $6,000 each are presented to outstanding and innovative educators at the ATT Teachers Appreciation Event.

“With the award, it is our intention to raise the stature of all teachers in the community and emphasize the respect these professionals are due,” said Robert Hartman.

The ATT’s Chief Executive Officer, Rabbi Mordechai Raizman agrees. “It has been a priority of the ATT’s leadership to help commit our community to raising the profile and recognition level of our educators. We anticipate the Educator of the Year Awards will play a key role in doing just that,” he added.

An impartial panel consisting of educational consultants and community members make evaluations.

Nominate a Hartman Foundation Educator of the Year Awardee

Nominate a Teacher

Or download a 2025 Hartman Nomination Form, click here.

To view 2025 flyer, click here.

Eligibility

Print/Download Rules

Nominee is a current full-time day school classroom teacher in a school operating under the auspices of the Associated Talmud Torahs of Chicago.

  • Four full years of teaching in the above capacity by September 2024.
  • Nominations can be made by a fellow educator, administrator, parent or student. No family or self-nominations.

Selection Criteria

  • Exceptional instructional skills in a nurturing environment
  • Commitment to his/her students’ success using a growth mind set
  • Positive role model
  • Superior communication skills with parents, students, and peers
  • Commitment to continued professional development
  • Contributes to the school’s learning community

Selection

An impartial panel consisting of educational consultants and community members makes the evaluations. No Foundation members will participate. Site visits occur in the winter of each year. The formal presentation of award winners will be held at the ATT Teachers Appreciation Event.

2024 Hartman Family Foundation Educator of the Year Awardees

Mark Hartman (Hartman Family Foundation), David Hartman (Hartman Family Foundation), Rabbi Louis Fliegelman (ICJA) whose top award is sponsored in memory of Mrs. Gayle Anne Herwitz, Mrs. Hannah Kowitt (HT), Mrs. Elana Shapiro (HSBY), Julie Thomas (Hartman Family Foundation)

 To view photos and videos of the 2024 Educator of the Year Awardees, click here. 

2023 Hartman Family Foundation Educator of the Year Awardees

Rabbi Ephraim Kletenik (YTT), Mr. Chaim Safier (HT) and Mrs. Malka Loterstein (ACHDS)

 To view video and photos of the 2023 Educator of the Year Awardees, click here. 

2021/22 Hartman Family Foundation Educator of the Year Awardees

Stanford Gertz, ATT Co-President, Rabbi Avrohom S. Moller, ATT Superintendent of Education,
David and Chaya Tova Hartman of the Hartman Family Foundation, Mrs. Rivkie Levitin (JDBY), Mrs. Elise Glatz (ACHDS),
Mrs. Olivia Friedman (ICJA), Richard Silverman, ATT Co-President, Rabbi Mordechai Raizman, ATT CEO

 To view video and photos of the 2021/22 Educator of the Year Awardees, click here.

2019 Hartman Family Foundation Educator of the Year Awardees

Miss Breindy Miller (JDBY), Mrs. Sari Kravitt (HT), Mrs. Betty Hainsfurther (ACHDS), Mrs. Debbie Hartman, and Mr. David Hartman

 To view video and photos of the 2019 Educator of the Year Awardees, click here.

2018 Educator of the Year Awardees

Rabbi Shlomoh Rhine (YTT), Robert and Debbie Hartman,
Mrs. Sheri Goldstein (ICJA), and Mrs, Basya Breitman (JDBY)

To view video of the 2018 Educator of the Year Awardees, click here.

To view photos of the event, click here.

2017 Educator of the Year Awardees

Mrs. Alise Gold (AK), Ms. Stacy Daybook (ACHDS), and Rabbi Yoel Rosenberg (YTT)

To view video of the 2017 Educator of the Year Awardees, click here.

To view photos of the event, click here.

2016 Educator of the Year Awardees

Mrs. Sarah Newmark (BYHSC), Mrs. Susie Rosen (ACHDS),
Debbie and Robert Hartman, and Rabbi Aaron Leibtag (HT)

To view video of the 2016 Educator of the Year Awardees, click here.

2015 Educator of the Year Awardees

Mr. David Hartman, Rabbi Avrohom S. Moller, Rabbi Avraham Varnai (CLHDS), Mrs. Staci Margulis (ACHDS), and Mrs. Anita London (HT, YTT)

To view video of the 2015 Educator of the Year Awardees, click here. 

2014 Educator of the Year Awardees

Mrs. Sarah Wainkrantz (ICJA and HSBY), Mrs. Debra Andruk (HT),
Mr. Stephen J. Landes, Rabbi Mordechai Raizman, Rabbi Michael Myers
(accepting for Mrs. Rutie Zuckerman (ACHDS), not pictured),
Rabbi Avrohom S. Moller, Mr. David Hartman

To view video of the 2014 Educator of the Year Awardees, click here.

2013 Educator of the Year Awardees

Dr. Yigal Yahav, Mr. Stephen J. Landes, Rabbi Shmuel Kurtz (ICJA),
Mrs. Rivky Greenberger (ACHDS), Ms. Michelle Rotfeld (AK),
Mr. David Hartman, and Rabbi Avrohom S. Moller

To view video of the 2013 Educator of the Year Awardees, click here.

2012 Educator of the Year Awardees

Rabbi Avrohom S. Moller, Mr. Robert Hartman, Rabbi Michael Myers (ICJA), Mrs. Pearl Gross (ACHDS), and Ms. Ariella Haymberg (HT)

To view video of the 2010-2012 Educator of the Year Awardees, click here.

2011 Educator of the Year Awardees

Mr. Joseph Abramchik, Rabbi Mordechai Raizman, Mr. David Hartman, Mr. Scott Salk (AK), Mrs. Ruth Becker (JDBY), Rabbi Avrohom S. Moller, and Mrs. Gayle Kopin (HT)

2010 Educator of the Year Awardees

Mr. David Hartman, Rabbi Mordechai Raizman, Rabbi Ephraim Hochberg (YTT), Rabbi Avrohom S. Moller, Mr. Joseph Abramchik, Mrs. Marsha Arons (ICJA), and Mrs. Lior Kakon (HT)
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