The Transparency Files: Introducing the 2012-2013 MJGDS Faculty!

It is hard to believe that we are already in the last week of school!  Graduation was this morning at 10:30 AM, the last day is tomorrow, and for teachers summer begins next week!

Just as last year, we want to follow up conversations about standardized test results (here), annual parent surveys (here) and my own self-evalaution (here) with announcing as much as we can about who the primary people will be charged to take that data and make the next year even better than this one – the 2012-2013 MJGDS Faculty & Staff.

Before I provide the list, I want to highlight four things:

1. We have a few more openings than I typically have heading into summer.  We are still searching for a (second) Middle School Math Teacher, a Kindergarten Assistant, a First Grade Assistant, and a Fourth Grade Assistant.  I have been collecting resumes and have begun the process of conducting interviews.  I hope all four positions are secured in the upcoming weeks.  However, we shall not rush.  Each position is important and due diligence shall be taken.
2. All Grades in K-5 will be redoing their schedules so as to delineate dedicated instructional time for each General Studies topic: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies.  Those schedules will be published when complete.  In addition, Mrs. Jo-Ann Kagan will be taking on Science instruction in Grades Three-Five.  We feel this level of specificity and engagement is necessary to ensure we are providing the highest quality Science program possible.
3. We will be making an additional exciting change to our Fourth & Fifth Grade Program for 2012-2013.  Mrs. Stephanie Teitelbaum will remain the Fourth Grade General Studies Homeroom Teacher and Mrs. Shelly Zavon will remain the Fifth Grade General Studies Teacher.  But in a move to create a more successful bridge between the Lower & Middle Schools, and to benefit from “looping” and “departmentalization” beginning next year, Mrs. Teitelbaum will teach Language Arts for Grades 4 & 5 and Mrs. Zavon will teach Mathematics and Social Studies for Grades 4 & 5.  [NOTE: We are not combining classes nor team-teaching.]  Studies prove that the first quarter of each school year is lost while teachers “learn” their students—assessing their academic levels, evaluating their behavior, figuring out how to motivate, etc.  By looping—rotating students from one specialized teacher and class to the next–students and teachers bypass wasted time and are instead able to better focus and be focused on.  With Looping, students in Grades 4 & 5 have the same Mathematics, Language Arts, and Science teachers across two school years providing greater consistency and understanding for both student and teacher.  This form of specialization called departmentalization allows each teacher to instruct to their own passions and strengths.  Student’s benefit from each teacher’s talents and subject specialization maximizes individualized instruction.  What’s more, subject specialization lends itself to clearer and more frequent assessments.  Parents will better understand where their child is in a subject and be able to more closely monitor their progress.  Looping and departmentalization are designed to work in tandem to accomplish more—more focus, more understanding, and more learning—and all in the same amount of time.  We are very excited about this change for next year!
4. We have two new fabulous teachers to introduce!

• Introducing our new First Grade General Studies Teacher, Ms. Pamela Lewis!  Ms. Lewis is a former MJGDS student and current JJC Camp KiTov CIT Director.  Ms. Lewis is graduating this year from the University of North Florida and comes to us with glowing recommendations from all her student teaching assignments.  She wowed us during her interviews and model lesson with her energy, ideas and positive attitude.  We are pleased to welcome her back home to MJGDS and look forward to her having a long, successful career on our faculty.
• Introducing our new Third Grade General Studies Teacher, Mr. Seth Carpenter!  Mr. Carpenter has his Masters from the University of Pittsburgh and has taught successfully in St. Johns County and in Pittsburgh, PA.  He and his wife are the proud parents of two, including an incoming MJGDS Kindergartner!  In addition to his teaching experience, he also brings a love and talent for the arts that comes from his experience as a professional actor and artist with the Cirque du Soleil.  We are looking forward to Mr. Carpenter’s energy and creativity for years to come!

And now without further adieu, the 2012-2013 MJGDS Faculty & Staff:

Lower School General Studies Faculty

• Kindergarten: Mrs. Arlene Yegelwel & (A second teacher to be hired soon!)
• First Grade: Ms. Pamela Lewis & (A second teacher to be hired soon!)
• Second Grade: Ms. Amy Stein & Mrs. Shannon McVearry
• Third Grade: Mr. Seth Carpenter & Mrs. Carla Bernard
• Fourth Grade: Mrs. Stephanie Teitelbaum & (A second teacher to be hired soon!)
• Fifth Grade: Mrs. Shelly Zavon

Lower School Jewish Studies Faculty

• Kitah Gan: Morah Edith (Ita) Horovitz & Morah Mazal Spalter
• Kitah Alef: Morah Robin (Rachel) Morris & Morah Hannah Bendit
• Kitah Bet: Morah Rivka Cohen
• Kitah Gimmel: Morah Liat Walker & Morah Mazal Spalter
• Kitah Dalet: Morah Rivka Cohen
• Kitah Hay: Morah Liat Walker

• Kitah Bet-Gimmel Resource Teacher: Morah Rivkah Ohayon
• Kitah Dalet-Hay Resource Teacher: Morah Mazal Spalter

Middle School Faculty

• Science: Mrs. Susan Burkhart
• Social Studies: Mrs. Judy Reppert
• Language Arts: Mrs. Deb Kuhr
• Middle School Mathematics: Mrs. Lauren Resnick & (A second teacher to be named soon!)
• Hebrew & Rabbinics: Morah Rivka Ohayon
• Hebrew & Mitzvot: Morah Edith (Ita) Horovitz
• Hebrew & Bible: Rabbi Jesse Olitzky
• Rabbinics: Rabbi Jonathan Lubliner

Resource Teachers

• Music: Mrs. Jeanine Hoff
• Art: Mrs. Shana Gutterman
• PE: Coach Jared Goldman
• Jewish Music & Tefillah: Hazzan Jesse Holzer

21st Century Learning Team

• Director of Teaching & Learning: Mrs. Andrea Hernandez
• 21st Century Learning Specialist: Mrs. Silvia Tolisano
• Library & Media Specialist: Mrs. Karin Hallett
• Academic Resource Specialist: Mrs. Jo-Ann Kagan
• Technology Coordinator: Mrs. Kim Glasgal

MJGDS Administrative Team

• Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Jessie Roman
• Executive Assistant: Mrs. Robyn Waring
• Admissions & Marketing Director: Mrs. Talie Zaifert
• Middle School Vice-Principal: Mrs. Edith Horovitz
• Head of School: Dr. Jon Mitzmacher

I will provide updates to our staffing as it becomes final and, of course, remain always available for questions or concerns.  It has been a remarkable 50th anniversary year at the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School.  Next year, we kick off another amazing half-century!