Tsurit Barhama

“I joined the Learning Analytics program at UW–Madison to better understand what supports meaningful language acquisition and how teaching decisions influence students’ learning experiences over time. In my classroom, I reflect often on student engagement and progress, and I hope to build the skills to use data more effectively while keeping the learner at the center.”

CONNECTING LANGUAGE LEARNING AND ANALYTICS

Tsurit Barhama is a Hebrew educator with over a decade of experience teaching learners across ages and proficiency levels. She currently teaches grades 6–12 at Jewish Leadership Academy in Miami, where she designs instruction centered on authentic communication, cultural exploration, and meaningful interaction. Her teaching journey began in community-based settings in Madison, Wisconsin, where she witnessed how language can strengthen identity, belonging, and connection. Before focusing on education, Tsurit worked in IT where she developed analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a curiosity about how people learn and engage. She holds a B.S. in Economics with a Math Emphasis and a Certificate in Data Science from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.

UNDERSTANDING LANGUAGE LEARNING THROUGH REFLECTION

Tsurit approaches teaching with curiosity, reflection, and a commitment to continuous improvement. She regularly uses classroom observations, student participation, and assessment results to better understand how learning develops over time. Her interest in Learning Analytics grew from a desire to move beyond intuition and examine learning more systematically, particularly in language classrooms where growth is often complex and difficult to measure. She is especially interested in long-term language acquisition, multilingual learners, and creating learning experiences that are both meaningful and inclusive. Through the program, she hopes to strengthen her ability to connect evidence, reflection, and instructional design.