So Many Ways to Explore

Eliana Horwitz

5th-8th Grade Social Worker

Birthplace:

Kansas City, MO

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Human Development, Binghamton University
Master of Arts in Social Work, The University of Chicago

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

I am brand new to Schechter, and I am excited to be part of this community and come back to working in a Jewish school.

What do you love most about your job?

I love supporting students and helping them learn skills for school and life.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“What we know matters, but who we are matters more.” —Brené Brown

Pnina Mazor

5th & 6th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher & 5th Grade Hebrew Teacher

Birthplace:

Israel

Education:

Bachelor of Education, Zefat Teacher College
Bachelor of Arts, Hebrew Theological College
M.Ed. in Education and Supervision from Loyola University Chicago

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

To be part of the Schechter family.

What do you love most about your job?

The opportunity to touch the heart of our young Jewish souls while teaching them Torah Mishnah and T’fillah each day. To help them be proud and knowledgeable Jews.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“There are those who are asleep, let them sleep.

There are those who are awakening, stir them gently.

There are those who are awake, nurture them for they are the guardians of the planet.”

Hallie Redman

K-8th Grade Art Teacher

Birthplace:

Chicago, IL

Education:

Washington University; Art Institute of Chicago

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

My favorite part about working at Schechter is the wonderful community and camaraderie that this school is all about.

What do you love most about your job?

The thing I love most about my job is being able to share my passion with children and inspire them to be their creative best.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Creativity takes courage.” —Henri Matisse

Trisha Taylor

Sager School Front Office Administrative Assistant

Birthplace:

Park Ridge, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Science in History/Social Sciences Education, Illinois State University; Learning Behavior Specialist 1, National Louis University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

My favorite part about working at Schechter is the positive working environment.

What do you love most about your job?

I love helping the school and that I get to interact with all members of the school, whether that be teachers, administrators, students, or parents

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Holding anger is a poison. It eats you from inside. We think that hating is a weapon that attacks the person who harmed us. But hatred is a curved blade. And the harm we do, we do to ourselves.” —The Five People You Meet in Heaven

Alex Schwartz

Alim Teacher,Ginsburg ECC

Birthplace:

Evanston, IL

Education:

Bachelors in Environmental Studies, UW-Madison; Masters in Early Childhood Education, Erikson Institute

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

I love teaching in the Jewish community I grew up in. Schechter creates joyful and meaningful Jewish experiences for young children and families.

What do you love most about your job?

I get to be a part of watching an exponential amount of growth and discovery in a short period of time.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Play is the highest form of research.” —Albert Einstein

Jill Katz

5th & 6th Grade Special Education Teacher

Birthplace:

Park Ridge, IL

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Master of Arts in Teaching, National Louis University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

I love working one on one with students in order to help them feel successful in their classes.

What do you love most about your job?

I love watching students become more confident and independent learners. I also love collaborating with such amazing teachers.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Struggle is not the same as weakness.”

Suzy Hakimian

7th & 8th Grade Science Teacher

Birthplace:

Chicago, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Teaching and Biology, National Lewis University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

My favorite part is being part of a very special community committed to strong Jewish values and family.

What do you love most about your job?

I love that I can do something I’m passionate about while having fun doing it!

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“What you do makes a difference, you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” —Jane Goodall

Rachael Gray-Raff

5th & 6th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher

Birthplace:

New York, NY

Education:

Bachelor of Arts, University of Rochester
Master of Social Work, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University; Master of Arts in Jewish Education, Gratz College

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

Being a part of students’ developing sense of self in the Jewish world. Watching their faces as they make connections between their Jewish and secular learning.

What do you love most about your job?

Continuing to learn and grow as a professional; having amazing committed partners who challenge me to be my best.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

וּבְמָקוֹם שֶׁאֵין אֲנָשִׁים, הִשְׁתַּדֵּל לִהְיוֹת אִישׁ:

“In a place where there are no men, strive to be a man.” —Pirkei Avot 2:5

Rabbi Raphael Ozarowski

7th-8th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher

Birthplace:

Long Island, NY

Education:

BA in Judaic Studies, Yeshiva University; MA in Jewish Education, concentration in Pedagogy, The Jewish Theological Seminary
Rabbinical Ordination, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

My favorite part about working at Schechter is the sense of shared community and purpose.

What do you love most about your job?

What I love most about my job are the close and multivarious relationships that I get to develop with my students, each of whom is a whole universe unto themselves.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.” —Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

Bridget Kaplan

Sager School Nurse

Birthplace:

Green Bay, WI

Education:

Master of Science in Nursing, Loyola University Chicago

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

My favorite part about working at Schecter is being part of a team with a shared mission. The Schechter team cares deeply about educating students while also nurturing their mental, spiritual, physical, and social-emotional health.

What do you love most about your job?

Forming wonderful relationships with students and tzevet while supporting their health and wellness

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Wherever you are, be there totally.” –Eckhart Tolle

Inbal Schnitman

Kindergarten Hebrew and Judaic Studies Teacher

Birthplace:

Israel

Education:

Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, K College, Israel

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

Working with professional educators and being a part of this amazing community.

What do you love most about your job?

I love seeing the children grow to love Hebrew and Israel and develop their Jewish identity.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Veahavta L’racha Kamocha” “You should love/treat others the way you love yourself/want to be treated.” —Torah (Rabbi Akiva)

Faye Bearman

Judaic Studies Coordinator and Instructional Coach

Birthplace:

Richmond, British Columbia, Canada

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Jewish Studies and Master of Arts in Education, American Jewish University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

I love working at Schechter because it is filled with curious and thoughtful students!

What do you love most about your job?

I love my job because I get to work closely with our talented Judaic Studies faculty to evaluate, update, and revise our curriculum and create important learning experiences for our students.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Do not despise any person, and do not discriminate against anything, for there is no person that has not his hour, and there is no thing that has not its place.” —Ben Azzai (Pirke Avot 4:2)

Mike Shuman

5th-8th Grade Math Teacher

Birthplace:

Baltimore, MD

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Drama, Yeshiva University; M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction, Barry University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

Knowing that there are colleagues and ELT who support at every turn.

What do you love most about your job?

The lightbulb moment when a student gets IT.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Pressure is a privilege”

Avi Allali

5th-8th Grade Hebrew Teacher

Birthplace:

Dimona, Israel

Education:

Teacher Certificate Ministry of Education, Israel; Bible Teacher, Ben Gurion University, Be’er Sheva

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

To teach Hebrew and Israeli culture.

What do you love most about your job?

To introduce the students to the special and complex things in the State of Israel.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“בְּמָקוֹם שֶׁאֵין אֲנָשִׁים, הִשְׁתַּדֵּל לִהְיוֹת אִיש”

—Pirkei Avot, Chapter 2:5; “In a place where there are no men, try to be a man.”

Lauren Patinkin

2nd Grade General Studies Teacher

Birthplace:

Deerfield, IL

Education:

Bachelors in Human Development and Family Studies with an emphasis on Child and Adolescent Development, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Masters in Teaching, National Louis University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

It is the perfect synergy of two of my greatest passions in life: education and Judaism.

What do you love most about your job?

Watching students grow academically, socially, and emotionally, as well as helping children develop a love for learning.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Judy Szapiro

Sager School Front Office Administrative Assistant

Birthplace:

Chicago, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Spanish, Northeastern Illinois University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

Schechter is so much more to me than a place of employment. It is a community; a place where I have been able to make wonderful friendships, sharpen my Hebrew skills, and feel right at home.

What do you love most about your job?

Life is never boring at the front office! I am lucky to work with a fantastic team of professionals who not only help keep things running smoothly, but also keep things fun, which is always a great way to spend your day.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Live and Learn!”

Hannah Pogrund

1st Grade General Studies Teacher

Birthplace:

Park Ridge, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Master of Education (Teacher Leadership), Brandeis University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

As an alumna of Schechter, I feel honored to give back to the community that raised me. I love contributing to the nurturing environment that allows students to be comfortable taking risks while strengthening their own identity.

What do you love most about your job?

I love watching my students apply problem-solving skills to persevere through a challenge for the first time!

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Life is like a watermelon, you know you’re going to get some seeds; just spit them out and take another bite .” —Jeff Steinmann

Noreen Ohcana

5th-8th Grade Mathematics Teacher

Birthplace:

Santa Monica, CA

Education:

MAT, National-Louis University
BS in Marketing, Loyola University of Chicago

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

The community—it’s special to work at a place where your coworkers and students and their families are all part of one big Jewish community with shared values.

What do you love most about your job?

The students—I love making math attainable. My favorite moments are when students who are intimidated by math suddenly get it and feel empowered to be confident about their math skills.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“People (or students) do not have shortcomings, only uniquenesses. The goal of a good teacher is to turn these uniquenesses into advantages.” —Israel Gelfand

Zahava Berman

Director, Ginsburg Early Childhood Center

Birthplace:

Evanston, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Human Development & Family Studies, focus on Child Development, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
JECELI Fellow, IDEAL18 Fellow

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

I love Schechter’s supportive community and working alongside exceptional educators.

What do you love most about your job?

I love working and collaborating with each of the yeladim and their families, supporting them as they learn and grow.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Education means teaching a child to be curious, to wonder, to reflect, to enquire. The child who asks becomes a partner in the learning process, an active recipient. To ask is to grow.” —R’ Jonathan Sacks

Rebecca Gold

1st & 2nd Grade Special Education Teacher

Birthplace:

Skokie, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Special Education, Bradley University
M.Ed. Reading and English Language Learners, National Louis University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

The community at Schechter is exceptional. I adore our students, partnering with their families, and teaching with incredible educators.

What do you love most about your job?

Teaching and growing literate children is a true honor and privilege.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Where there’s hope, there’s life. It fills us with fresh courage and makes us strong again.”― Anne Frank

Tami Warshawsky

Director of Advancement

Birthplace:

Philadelphia, PA

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing, Pennsylvania State University
Master of Science in Communications, Drexel University
Master of Arts in Jewish Professional Studies, Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

Working in partnership with a dynamic and passionate faculty and staff and Board.

What do you love most about your job?

Schechter was a gift for my children and family, and I love helping to make sure Schechter is strong for today and tomorrow’s students and families.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Our lives are stories in which we write, direct, and star in the leading role. Some chapters are happy while others bring lessons to learn, but we always have the power to be the heroes of our own adventures.” — Joelle Speranza

Noa Padowitz

K-8th Grade Assistant Principal

Birthplace:

Johannesburg, South Africa

Education:

Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, Brandeis University
Master of Arts in Education, Tufts University
Master of Social Work, University of Pennsylvania
Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, Northeastern Illinois University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

The phenomenal, kind, caring, and compassionate community!

What do you love most about your job?

That I get to spend my days helping students learn how to be their best self.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” —Maya Angelou

Debbie Harris

Director of Educational Technology

Birthplace:

Chicago, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Arts, Northwestern University
Master of Arts in Jewish Professional Studies
Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

As a lifelong learner, I enjoy the opportunity to be constantly learning and growing.

What do you love most about your job?

Every day I get to combine my passions in Judaics, education, and technology.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Creativity is intelligence having Fun.” —Albert Einstein

Samantha Kaplan Orlov

Director of Student Support Services

Birthplace:

Highland Park, IL

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree, University of Colorado at Boulder
Master’s Degree from National-Louis University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

My favorite part about working at Schechter is the fantastic community of teachers, parents and students. Each day, I get to collaborate with a dedicated team of educators and partner with families in supporting and growing our students.

What do you love most about your job?

I love that I get to help teachers support their students every day!

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“A little progress each day adds up to BIG results!”

Rabbi Jonathan Bubis

Rav Beit HaSefer (School Rabbi)

Birthplace:

San Francisco, CA

Education:

Rabbinic Ordination and Masters in Rabbinic Studies at the American Jewish University, Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

I love seeing smiling faces in the hallway, and smiling right back!

What do you love most about your job?

I love celebrating our tradition joyously with students!

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“To love another person is to see the face of God.” —Les Miserables, the Musical

Hillary Levitt Dunn

Director of Admissions & Enrollment

Birthplace:

Chicago, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Juris Doctor, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

I love tagging along on the journey our students take each day expanding their minds and cultivating their Jewish identities.

What do you love most about your job?

The community — it’s all about the people!

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” —Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Shira Wenig Rozgovich

Development & Events Manager

Birthplace:

Skokie, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Bachelor of Arts in Religion, Minor in Middle Eastern Studies, Syracuse University
Master in Israeli Politics & Society, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Teaching Certificate in ESL, Levinisky College, Israel

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

I love being a part of the community in so many ways: as an alum, a parent, and a staff member.

What do you love most about your job?

I love the community and the people I work with. This is by far the best job I have ever had.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Don’t take life too seriously, you will never get out of it alive!” —Albert Hubbard

Rebecca Swislow

Marketing & Communications Manager

Birthplace:

Deerfield, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Theatre Studies, Emory University
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Classical Acting, The George Washington University/Shakespeare Theatre Company

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

The humans in this building are filled with passion and warmth—that energy is contagious and inspiring

What do you love most about your job?

I’ve always been enamored with language and the powerful ways it can be harnessed to promote understanding, connection, and purpose. I love how this position challenges and empowers me to find the fitting words that amplify the magic taking place each and every day at Schechter!

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.” ―William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure

Louis R. Moeckler

IT Manager

What do you love most about your job?

I love working with our incredible ELT and our amazing tzevet, and I especially love seeing the children smiling and laughing.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Where there is a will, there is a way.”

Jackie Povitsky

ECC Administrative Assistant & Aftercare Coordinator

Birthplace:

Skokie, IL

Education:

Interdisciplinary Studies and Teaching English as a Second Language, Northeastern Illinois University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

My favorite part about working at Schechter is having the opportunity to make a positive, lasting impact in children’s lives and working with an amazing team of people that care so deeply about this, as well.

What do you love most about your job?

I love supporting the teachers in the classroom, as well as making relationships with parents.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”

Elana Dermer

Alonim Bet Teacher, Ginsburg ECC

Birthplace:

Skokie, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education, Bradley University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

I love being a Jewish educator and a part of Schechter’s community.

What do you love most about your job?

I love the curiosity and excitement the kids have as we explore new things.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Be curious, not judgemental.” —Walt Whitman

Sandra Greenblatt

Alonim Aleph Teacher, Ginsburg ECC

Birthplace:

Chicago, IL

Education:

M.A. in Special Education

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

I love how warm and supportive the community is. It’s very conducive to helping our children flourish.

What do you love most about your job?

I get so much joy out of helping my students develop new skills and gain confidence in themselves throughout the year. Additionally, I love being able to foster their interests in Jewish living and learning!

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi

Cara Gutstein

Alim Teacher, Ginsburg ECC

Birthplace:

Chicago, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in History, Georgetown University, Master of Arts in Education, Mills College

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

Our ECC team is dedicated, creative and passionate about working with young children. I love that we are always learning, trying out new strategies and shifting our thinking to best meet the needs of every child.

What do you love most about your job?

Being a partner in children’s growth is a privilege.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” —Albert Einstein

Sandy Hill

Alonim Aleph Teacher, Ginsburg ECC

Birthplace:

Elmhurst, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, Northeastern Illinois; Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education, National Louis University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

I love working at a Jewish school and sharing the excitement of the Jewish holidays and values with young children. I love that working at Schechter goes with the flow of life and reminds me of all the joy there is in Judaism

What do you love most about your job?

My favorite part about working with the youngest children is that I get to see their smiling faces light up as they learn new concepts or make connections with other children.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“There needs to be a lot more emphasis on what a child CAN do instead of what they cannot do.” —Temple Grandin

Tali Kramer

Alonim Bet Teacher, Ginsburg ECC

Birthplace:

Evanston, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Science, Southern Illinois University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

Being a part of a supportive and loving community.

What do you love most about your job?

Building connections with my students.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen, can change the world.” Malala Yousafzai

Keren Acoca

1st-4th Grade Hebrew Aid

Birthplace:

Israel

Education:

Biology, Tel Hai Academic College (Israel)

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

Being part of the Schechter community.

What do you love most about your job?

Teaching my language and culture, and seeing the children’s interest and love for learning Hebrew.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Dream it, believe it, and you will succeed.”

Shiri Aharonovich

2nd Grade Hebrew and Judaic Studies Teacher; K-8th Hebrew Language Coordinator

Birthplace:

Haifa, Israel

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Special Education, University of Haifa; Masters in Education and Human Development, Haifa University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

The sense of community

What do you love most about your job?

Seeing my students grow and succeed

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” —Lao Tzu

Talia Anisfeld

K-4th Grade School Psychologist

Birthplace:

Milwaukee, WI

Education:

Bachelor of Arts, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Master of Education (M.Ed) & Educational Specialist (Ed.S), National Louis University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

The close knit community of colleagues, students, and parents.

What do you love most about your job?

Building strong relationships with students is the core of what I do, and it’s the most rewarding aspect of my job.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Becoming is better than being.” —Carol Dweck

Anat Barlevy

8th Grade Language Arts Teacher

Birthplace:

Israel

Education:

Masters in English, Northwestern University
Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and English Lit

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

The best part of working at Schechter is the incredible community of teachers.

What do you love most about your job?

I love being in a classroom with students, talking about literature and writing.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” —Stephen King

Kim Bass

2nd Grade General Studies Teacher

Birthplace:

Highland Park, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Education, National Louis University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

My favorite part of Schechter is the strong, compassionate, and dedicated educators. With their guidance and collaboration I continue to grow as a teacher.

What do you love most about your job?

I love building relationships with my students. It is the foundation for a successful learning environment. I work hard to create a strong Kehillah where students feel validated, motivated, and empowered.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“In a world where you can be anything, be KIND.”

Andrea Berlow

5th & 6th Grade Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher

Birthplace:

Deerfield, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in English, The Ohio State University
Master of Arts in Teaching in Middle Grades Education, National Louis University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

I love the community that is built between the staff, students and families.

What do you love most about your job?

I love watching the students become educated and opinionated members of our community.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” —Margaret Mead

Elizabeth Botnick

Sager School and Ginsburg ECC Music Teacher

Birthplace:

Flint, MI

Education:

Bachelor of Music in Music Education, Mississippi University for Women

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

I love being able to include music and traditions from Jewish holidays in our music education program.

What do you love most about your job?

I love when students feel like they truly have a place where they belong and are able to tap into their natural musical abilities to express themselves.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” —Plato

Betsy Briskman

4th Grade General Studies Teacher

Birthplace:

Chicago, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Education and Psychology, Tulane University
Illinois Teacher Certification, National Louis University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

My favorite part about working at Schechter is building a strong community with my students that promotes learning, risk taking, and life-long friendships.

What do you love most about your job?

I am happy coming to work each day. I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues, teaching my students, and partnering with the families.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Remember to celebrate milestones as you prepare for the road ahead.” —Nelson Mandela

Ilene Brot

General Studies Student Growth Coordinator/Instructional Coach

Birthplace:

Chicago, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Master of Arts in Jewish Education, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
Master of Arts in Teaching, National-Louis University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

My favorite part about working at Schechter is that it is more than just a school, it is a kehillah, a community!

What do you love most about your job?

love that I get to work with teachers at every grade level to help them meet the needs of all their students.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” —Albert Einstein

Paul Chanan

Pre-K-8th Grade Physical Education Teacher

Birthplace:

Park Ridge, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Science at Kelley School of Business, Indiana University
Juris Doctor, Marquette University
Master of Business Administration, Marquette University
Master of Education, DePaul University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

I really enjoy Schechter’s strong sense of community, in terms of both the families and the faculty.

What do you love most about your job?

My favorite part of teaching PE at Schechter is witnessing first hand the joy and passion displayed by our students on the field and in the gym.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Do you know that the harder thing to do and the right thing to do are usually the same thing? Nothing that has meaning is easy.” —Michael Caine in Weatherman

Rick Cohen

5th & 6th Language Arts & Social Studies Teacher

Birthplace:

Highland Park, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Finance, DePaul University
Masters in Elementary Education, National Louis University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

The relationships that I have built with my students and colleagues are life changing and continue to be.

What do you love most about your job?

I get to work mostly with kids, and they are the most genuine human beings to work with in this world!

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Do the right thing, especially when no one is looking.”

Jamie Cooper

2nd-8th Grade General Studies Special Education Teacher

Birthplace:

Chicago, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Indiana University
Masters in Special Education, Concordia University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

I love working at Schechter because of the amazing relationships that are formed here among the students and faculty.

What do you love most about your job?

I love watching and being a part of the growth and success of my students on a daily basis.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Speak with your children as if they are the wisest, kindest, most beautiful humans on earth, for what they believe is what they will become.” —Brooke Hampton

Jaclyn Feather

3rd Grade General Studies Teacher

Birthplace:

Highland Park, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Psychology; Masters in Education

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

The community of students, families, and staff.

What do you love most about your job?

Being able to watch the children grow emotionally and socially as the year progresses.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“There’s nothing you can do that can’t be done” —The Beatles

Missy Friedman

7th & 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher

Birthplace:

Skokie, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Children’s Literature, University of Kansas
Master of Arts in Teaching, National Louis University
Master of Education (Teacher Leadership), Brandeis University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

One of my favorite parts of working at Schechter is the feeling of midor l’dor—from generation to generation. I was educated at Schechter, as were my children, and it’s that same gift I have been honored to provide to our community for the last 23 years.

What do you love most about your job?

A part of my job I enjoy most is the value Schechter puts on teacher collaboration, professional development, integration, and raising the next generation of responsible, active, caring, and educated leaders.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Human greatness does not lie in wealth and power but in character and goodness.” —Anne Frank

Marissa Gerchikov

5th & 6th Grade Science Teacher, 5th Grade Math Teacher

Birthplace:

Park Ridge, IL

Education:

Bachelors in Elementary Education, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with Middle School endorsements in Mathematics, Language Arts, Social Science, General Science and English as a Second Language
Master of Education in Educational Technology, American College of Education

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

How much I learn from both my colleagues and students each year!

What do you love most about your job?

I love the sense of community that comes with working at Schechter—it is like nowhere else!

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“It is our choices, Harry, that show who we truly are, far more than our abilities.” —Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Marcy Goldman

1st & 2nd Grade Hebrew and Judaic Studies Teacher

Birthplace:

Chicago, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Hebrew language and Literature, Indiana University
Master of Education in Deaf Education, University of Illinois Chicago

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

The relationships that I develop with my students is very special to me.

What do you love most about your job?

I love getting my students excited about learning Hebrew and helping them develop a love of Israel and being Jewish.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“The highest form of wisdom is kindness.” —Talmud

Anita Grobart

3rd-4th Grade Special Education Teacher

Birthplace:

Chicago, IL

Education:

Bachelors in K-9 Elementary Education, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Masters in Reading, Northeastern University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

My favorite part about teaching at Schechter is its close knit community and the special bonds and friendships I have made.

What do you love most about your job?

Helping and watching children grow academically and socially, as well as helping children to develop a love for learning and a love for Judaism is what gives me so much joy!

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“The fabric of life is woven from everyday moments.”

Emily Gurner

7th-8th Grade General Studies Special Education Teacher

Birthplace:

Chicago, IL

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Indiana University
Master of Science in Differentiated Instruction, Concordia University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

Schechter is such a unique environment that is truly like a family. Everyone is there to support one another and are genuinely invested in your happiness, well-being, and successes!

What do you love most about your job?

I love having the opportunity to work with a variety of students with different needs and help them reach their highest potential. The relationships I build are meaningful and last beyond the walls of Schechter.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“When life gets you down do you wanna know what you’ve gotta do? Just keep swimming!” – Dory, Finding Nemo

Rachel Haims

1st Grade General Studies Teacher

Birthplace:

Columbus, OH

Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Early Childhood Education, Tulane University
In progress: Legacy Heritage Teacher Leader Fellowship Program, Brandeis University

What is your favorite part of working at Schechter?

My favorite part about working at Schechter is the supportive community. When I moved to Chicago and did not know many people, Schechter felt like coming home to a big, extended family. I love working in this collaborative environment that creates opportunities for both students and teachers to learn. Schechter allows me to teach in a way that best suits the learning styles and abilities of my students, with a focus on student growth and meeting students where they are.

What do you love most about your job?

What I love most about teaching 1st grade is seeing each student’s progress and growth from the beginning of the year to the end. They discover their independence, grow as readers and math students, and develop their social emotional skills. I love building our classroom family based on relationships, trust, kindness, and empathy. I love the excitement that fills the room when a student reads a word independently for the first time, adds their first tooth sticker to the tooth chart, or gets on top of the monkey bars after trying so many times.

Please share a quotation that is meaningful to you:

“Imperfections are not inadequacies: they are reminders that we’re all in this together.” —Brené Brown

The best way to explore Schechter is to immerse yourself in our school, community, and recruitment programs.

We can’t wait for you to join us!

November 7, 2023 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Prospective Parent Open House

Schedule a Tour

Request Information

Questions? Contact Hillary Dunn, Director of Admissions.

Schedule a Sager School (K-8) Tour Today

Schedule a Tour Today

So Many Ways
to Explore

November 7, 2023
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM