Bobbie Powers / Director of Special Education
A well-known special educator, Bobbie's training even as an undergraduate has been in the field of teaching children with special needs. She received a B.A. from the University of Denver reflecting a major in Special Education and a MA degree from Columbia University's Teacher College. Bobbie proceeded to obtain an SDA (School District Administrator) from Pace University. Bobbie spent many years in the New Rochelle Public School System as a Special Education teacher. In addition, she is the facilitator of a Special Needs Sunday/Hebrew School program at Beth-El Synagogue in New Rochelle and has served as consultant to MATAAN, a program dedicated to providing a Jewish Education for Autistic children. Bobbie helped resurrect SEPTA - Special Education Parent Teacher Association in New Rochelle, and served two terms as its president. We are honored and thrilled to have Bobbie join our administrative staff as the Director of Special Education.

Daneet Brill / Second Grade General Studies
Daneet comes to us with over 8 years of experience as an elementary school teacher. Daneet holds a BA in Jewish Studies from Concordia University and an advanced degree in Education from the Jewish Teacher Training Program at McGill University. Daneet has spent the last five years at the Solomon Schechter School of Manhattan and has recently moved with her family to Stamford. Daneet is described as a master teacher and one whose dedication to her students is greatly admired by parents and colleagues alike. She is an expert in integration and we are very excited to have her join our second grade class.

Irit Kornblit / Hebrew and Judaic Middle School
With many years of teaching Hebrew as a second language, we are pleased to welcome Irit to our Middle School Judaic Studies Department. Irit spent several years at the Solomon Schechter School of Westchester teaching both Hebrew and Judaic studies. She created and directed the Hebrew Literature Adult learning program at the Solomon Schechter school. She is also an avid dancer of Israeli folk music and a learner of Jewish text. Irit attended the summer Tichon at the Sholom Hartman Institute of Jerusalem. We are thrilled to have Irit join us as a Hebrew and Judaic studies Middle School teacher.

Laura Lenes / Fifth Grade General Studies
Laura Lenes: Laura comes to us with five years of elementary education experience in New York City. Laura holds a BA in Drama Education with a minor in musical theater from the University of Florida. She proceeded to obtain her MS in Deaf Education and a certification in Elementary Education from Columbia University/Teachers College. Over the last three years, Laura has incorporated her passion in the drama/music area into her teaching of deaf children as well as to general elementary education students. In addition, she was an active member of the Curriculum Team at her previous school. Laura's eclectic background makes her a wonderful candidate to teach our 5th grade classroom as well as an after-school drama program.

Jessica Murphy / Middle School Math Teacher
Jessica is a graduate of SUNY at Purchase and holds a MS in Mathematics Education from Long Island University. Jessica has combined her passion for Mathematics, her love of education and an intrigue for mid-adolescent students to become a Middle School Mathematics teacher. Jessica conducted her student teaching experience in the Hommocks school in Larchmont and spent the last year as a Teaching Assistant in the Middle School Department at the Hommocks Middle School. Jessica's cooperating teachers describe her as smart, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. We are looking forward to Jessica joining us as our Middle School Mathematics teacher.

Michelle Pissk-Schupak / Kindergarten Teacher
Michelle holds a M.S. in education from Sarah Lawrence College and an MBA from Iona College. Michelle spent the last few years in the corporate and health services world. Education has always been a passion for Michelle and three years ago she decided to pursue it as a career. We had an opportunity to observe Michelle's educational talents when she replaced Morah Jenna in the first grade for a week. We were thoroughly impressed and are thrilled to have her join our Kindergarten program.

Lauren Weiss / Kindergarten Teacher
Lauren Weiss: Lauren holds a BA degree from Manhattan College and is currently pursuing her MA degree in Elementary Reading and Writing Education from Manhattanville College. Lauren's student teaching experience was done in NYC as well as Westchester County. In addition, Lauren has volunteered in the Big Brother and Big Sister Program as welll as tutored students for the last six years. Her cooperating teachers felt that Lauren is a natural teacher whose dedication and knowledge are an asset to the classroom environment. I am pleased to welcome Lauren to our Kindergarten program.

Kim Stewart / Office Manager
Kim Stewart: Kim has joined us as our new office manager. Kim has a degree in Child Development and Family Studies from SUNY Oneonta. Kim spent the last two years as a shadow for two children in Byram Hills elementary school. She is currently pursuing a degree in Education and has been working with us since July 1st.

Brian Rosa / Athletic Director:
Brian holds a BA degree from Iona College and is currently pursuing his MEd degree in Physical Education from Manhattanville College. Brian spent three years as the Physical Education teacher at Greenwich Catholic School. He also was the Athletic Counselor at Elmwood Day Camp from 1993 through 1998 as well as Gan Israel during the Summer of 2006. In addition to his educational experience, Brian was the owner and operator of a Westchester based restaurant. I am thrilled to welcome Brian as our Athletic Director.

Penny Goffman / Kindergarten Teacher
Penny is a graduate of McGill University in Montreal Canada and holds a MA in Childhood Education from New York University. Penny conducted her student teaching experience New York City and at the Solomon Schechter elementary school in Manhattan. In addition to her educational experience, Penny was a manager and financial consultant for the Murex Co. in NYC. Penny's cooperating teachers described her as knowledgeable, eager and passionate about education. We are looking forward to Penny joining us in our Kindergarten team.

Karen Kayser / Special Education
Karen comes to us with many years of special education experience in the New Rochelle school system. Karen holds a BA in Education from the College of New Rochelle and is currently pursuing her MA in Special Education at Herbert Lehman College. Over the last three years, Karen has worked closely with the special education department of the New Rochelle elementary school. Karen worked closely with our Director of Special Education, Bobbie Powers and we are thrilled she agreed to join our staff. Her passion for teaching combined with her experience makes her an asset as our Self-Contained Special Education program.

Jonathan Ginsberg / Tech Support
A recent of graduate from the University of Hartford, Jonathan joins us as support staff for the Technology Department. Jonathan's interests lay in the creative writing arts, video game design and sports. Jonathan has worked with children in a variety of camps and we are thrilled to have him come to us as part of our technology team.