Tirza Kahan
EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
Mrs. Tirza Kahan holds both a B.A. and M.A in English from the City College of New York, where she nurtured her love for literature and pedagogy. Before joining the ICJA faculty, she taught in the New York City public schools and at Bronx Community College, experiences that honed her ability to connect with students of all backgrounds and skill levels.
At ICJA, she has served in many capacities beyond the classroom. She advised the Keter Yearbook for 17 years, guiding students in both creative expression and collaborative leadership and winning awards for the yearbook, and for several years served as the faculty advisor for the Interact Club, a branch of Rotary International that fosters student service and global citizenship. Alongside her colleagues, Mrs. Tirza Kahan established the Writers Lab, offering daily support to students seeking to strengthen their writing and voice. Her students have earned numerous accolades in the Illinois Letters for Literature contest including having three state winners, many finalists, and semifinalists.
Her teaching is marked by warmth, precision, and a deep belied in the power of communication. Through essays, discussions, and encouragements, Mrs. Tirza Kahan has empowered ICJA graduates to express themselves with integrity and clarity, and to think and be curious about anything and everything. Above all, she encourages her students to ask questions. She has taught AP Language and Composition since 2007 with over a 90% passing rate. She also taught film, creative writing, and modern short stories, as well as all levels of high school English.
Beyond the classroom, Mrs. Tirza Kahan is the proud parent of an ICJA graduate and is deeply devoted to her family-her husband, Sam, a retired economist (whom she met when she was 16, a senior in high school at the time), Jonathan, Zahava and David, Zippora (’97) and Sammy, and grandchildren – her joy and source of nachat. In her spare time when she is not grading papers, she has served as President of Amit Midwest and Ziona Hadassah, as well as volunteered for other organizations. She is an avid reader, enjoying almost every book recommended to her by her students, as well as murder mysteries and nonfiction. She has traveled to over 40 of the 50 states, as well as to Asia, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. And she especially enjoys connecting with former students to learn “the rest of their story”, their life after ICJA.
At ICJA, she has served in many capacities beyond the classroom. She advised the Keter Yearbook for 17 years, guiding students in both creative expression and collaborative leadership and winning awards for the yearbook, and for several years served as the faculty advisor for the Interact Club, a branch of Rotary International that fosters student service and global citizenship. Alongside her colleagues, Mrs. Tirza Kahan established the Writers Lab, offering daily support to students seeking to strengthen their writing and voice. Her students have earned numerous accolades in the Illinois Letters for Literature contest including having three state winners, many finalists, and semifinalists.
Her teaching is marked by warmth, precision, and a deep belied in the power of communication. Through essays, discussions, and encouragements, Mrs. Tirza Kahan has empowered ICJA graduates to express themselves with integrity and clarity, and to think and be curious about anything and everything. Above all, she encourages her students to ask questions. She has taught AP Language and Composition since 2007 with over a 90% passing rate. She also taught film, creative writing, and modern short stories, as well as all levels of high school English.
Beyond the classroom, Mrs. Tirza Kahan is the proud parent of an ICJA graduate and is deeply devoted to her family-her husband, Sam, a retired economist (whom she met when she was 16, a senior in high school at the time), Jonathan, Zahava and David, Zippora (’97) and Sammy, and grandchildren – her joy and source of nachat. In her spare time when she is not grading papers, she has served as President of Amit Midwest and Ziona Hadassah, as well as volunteered for other organizations. She is an avid reader, enjoying almost every book recommended to her by her students, as well as murder mysteries and nonfiction. She has traveled to over 40 of the 50 states, as well as to Asia, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. And she especially enjoys connecting with former students to learn “the rest of their story”, their life after ICJA.