
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
Or download a 2025 Hartman Nomination Form, click here.
To view 2025 flyer, click here.
Eligibility
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

To view photos and videos of the 2024 Educator of the Year Awardees, click here.
2023 Hartman Family Foundation Educator of the Year Awardees

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

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

To view video and photos of the 2019 Educator of the Year Awardees, click here.
2018 Educator of the Year Awardees

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

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

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

To view video of the 2015 Educator of the Year Awardees, click here.
2014 Educator of the Year Awardees

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

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

To view video of the 2010-2012 Educator of the Year Awardees, click here.
2011 Educator of the Year Awardees

2010 Educator of the Year Awardees
