Former AJA eighth-grader Sidney Nisenfeld giving a presentation on Code Talkers on Portfolio Day 2024. Courtesy: AJA

By Abby Rapoport

Each year, students at Austin Jewish Academy step into a role many adults find daunting: publicly presenting their academic work to an audience of peers, parents, educators, and community leaders. The school’s Portfolio Day, a cornerstone of its project-based learning ethos, asks students from kindergarten through eighth grade to articulate what they’ve learned across multiple subjects—and in the process, discover capabilities they didn’t know they had.

Thanks to Portfolio Day, “I finally got over my fear of talking to a lot of people,” says fourth-grader Gabe. “I can present proudly.”

In her 25 years with the school, kindergarten teacher Aileen Duncan says she has seen how the annual tradition helps students like Gabe grow their confidence and sophistication in presenting skills.

“We see the difference each time,” she said. “It gets easier for them to stand up and share what they’ve learned.”

The presentations themselves evolve alongside the students. In kindergarten, a student might demonstrate a math game like “Piggies in the Mud,” explaining the rules and engaging their teacher and parents in gameplay. By middle school, that same student could be analyzing the complex themes of identity and discrimination in “Code Talkers,” connecting Navajo history to World War II strategy, or presenting on weather patterns in Hebrew alongside biographical research on figures ranging from Benjamin Banneker to Golda Meir. The breadth and depth of the material require students not only to master the content, but also to synthesize information and communicate it effectively to a live audience.

Beginning in third grade, the school invites community leaders to serve as panelists who observe presentations and provide feedback – a practice that adds both accountability and encouragement to the process.

Last year, eighth grader Sidney Nisenfeld gave a presentation on “Code Talkers,” weaving together themes of cultural identity, discrimination, and World War II history. He explained how Navajo Marines used their language – once forbidden in boarding schools – as an unbreakable code against Japanese forces, then drew connections to broader lessons about prejudice and belonging. “What I took away … is that you shouldn’t be judged for your identity as a person,” he concluded, “and you shouldn’t be judged for your beliefs or religions.”

Rabbi Daniel A. Septimus, CEO of Shalom Austin, was impressed as he watched his son give a presentation “that many adults would be nervous to give.” “He did it with such grace and confidence,” Rabbi Septimus said. “These are the kinds of skills that will pay dividends in his life.”

AJA board member Renee Lafair believes that Portfolio Day helped pave the way for her children’s academic success.

“The dividends of Portfolio Day continue to show up in unexpected and new places,” Lafair says, noting that the experiences served her children even when they were getting their degrees at Stanford, Northeastern, and Johns Hopkins universities. “My kids never had a problem standing up to speak, whether in high school, college, or a job interview.”

At one early presentation, her oldest son eagerly asked his grandmother how he’d performed, only to discover she had marked him with perfect scores before he’d even begun speaking – a moment that still brings laughter but also underscores the supportive environment the school cultivates around student presentations.

Interim Head of School Kari Loya describes Portfolio Day as integral to AJA’s educational philosophy. The event emphasizes reflection, student ownership, and measurable growth – competencies that extend well beyond academic settings.

“These are the kinds of experiences that shape lifelong learners and confident leaders,” Loya said.

The tradition continues this semester with Portfolio Day scheduled for December 19. As in past years, the school is looking for community members to serve as panelists. These participants offer students a chance to present to professionals from varied backgrounds and receive constructive feedback that mirrors real-world communication expectations.

Community members interested in participating as Portfolio Day panelists can volunteer through the school’s sign-up process. The experience requires no specialized expertise. For those who participate, the event offers a window into the academic rigor and personal growth happening at AJA, while giving students the chance to practice skills they’ll carry throughout their lives.