CESJDS Lower School Faculty & Staff
Lower School Administration
Mitchel Malkus
Head of School
B.A., Political Science and Government
M.A., Judaic Studies
Rabbinic Ordination
Ed.D., Curriculum and Teaching
M.A., Judaic Studies
Rabbinic Ordination
Ed.D., Curriculum and Teaching
Matthew Bellas
Lower School Principal
B.A., Jewish Studies
M.A., Education
M.A., Judaic Studies
Rabbinic Ordination
M.A., Education
M.A., Judaic Studies
Rabbinic Ordination
Rebecca Prigal
Assistant Principal, 5th Grade Counselor
B.A., Near Eastern and Judaic Studies
M.S., Social Work: Mental Health Specialization
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Certified (LCSW-C)
M.S., Social Work: Mental Health Specialization
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Certified (LCSW-C)
Daniella Friedman
Judaic Studies and Hebrew Language Coordinator
M.Sc., Organizational Behavior
MJEd, Jewish Education
Education Specialist
MJEd, Jewish Education
Education Specialist
Lenore Layman
Director, Educational Support Services
B.A., Special Education
M.A., Special Education Learning Consultant
M.A., Special Education Learning Consultant
Dorie Ravick
Director of Lower School Admission
B.A., Political Science and Judaic Studies
M.A., Higher Education Administration
M.A., Higher Education Administration
Jennifer Rittberg
Math and Schedule Coordinator
B.S., Fiber Science
M.S., Education, Concentration: Middle and High School Mathematics Education
M.S., Education, Concentration: Middle and High School Mathematics Education
Kimberly Sherk
Language Arts and Social Studies and DEIJ Coordinator
B.A., Elementary Education
M.A., Reading Instruction and Remediation
Ed.D TeacherLeadership
M.A., Reading Instruction and Remediation
Ed.D TeacherLeadership
Alexis Soffler
Science and STEM Coordinator
B.S., Environmental Biology
M.A.T., Secondary Science
PhD, Educational Leadership, Renewal and Change
M.A.T., Secondary Science
PhD, Educational Leadership, Renewal and Change
Ginger Thornton
Director of Instructional Technology
B.A., English, History/Philosophy
M.A., English
M.A., History
A.B.D, English
M.A., English
M.A., History
A.B.D, English
Lower School Administrative Support Staff
Henry Aquino
Lower School Administrative Assistant
B.S., Fine Arts
Certification in Elementary Education
Certification in Elementary Education
Gurim Junior Kindergarten Teachers
Samantha Haas
Gurim General Studies Teacher
M.A., Early Childhood Development and Programming
B.S., Human Services with a Concentration in Early Childhood Development
B.S., Human Services with a Concentration in Early Childhood Development
Avital Levi
Gurim Judaic Studies Teacher
B.A, Criminology & Education
Certificate of Education
Certificate of Rhythmic and Music for early childhood development
Certificate of Education
Certificate of Rhythmic and Music for early childhood development
Rebecca Meron
Gurim Assistant Teacher
B.A., Psychology
M.Ed.
Maryland Teaching Certifications in Elementary Education (1-6) and Early Childhood Education (PreK-3)
M.Ed.
Maryland Teaching Certifications in Elementary Education (1-6) and Early Childhood Education (PreK-3)
Tatyana Pidgurskaya
Gurim General Studies Teacher
B.A., Elementary Education
M.A., Elementary Education
M.A., Elementary Education
Kindergarten Teachers
Anna Brunner-Bayer
Kindergarten Judaic Studies Teacher
M.S., Economics
Certification, Preschool Eduation
Certification, Preschool Eduation
Alison Cantwell
Kindergarten General Studies Teacher
B.A., Women and Gender Studies
B.A., Criminal Justice
B.A., Criminal Justice
Elyse Carmen
Kindergarten General Studies Teacher
B.A., Early Childhood Education
Asssociates, Special Education
Asssociates, Special Education
Julie Steenberge
Kindergarten General Studies Teacher
B.A., Journalism with a Concentration in Advertising, Minor in Jewish Studies
90 Hour Certification
90 Hour Certification
Perah Zohar
Kindergarten Judaic Studies Teacher
B.A., Education
M.A., Management and Organization of Education Systems
M.A., Management and Organization of Education Systems
1st Grade Teachers
Marjorie Haas
1st Grade General Studies Assistant Teacher
B.S., Education
Masters in Public Administration
Masters in Public Administration
Adrienne Hiatt
1st Grade General Studies Teacher
B.S., Elementary and Special Education
M.Ed., Deaf Education
M.Ed., Deaf Education
Eve Margol
1st Grade General Studies Teacher
M. Ed., Special Education
B.A., Fine Arts
Advanced Professional Maryland Educator Certification- Early Childhood Special Education PreK-3 & Special Education Infant-3
Certified Trainer for Maryland State Department of Education
B.A., Fine Arts
Advanced Professional Maryland Educator Certification- Early Childhood Special Education PreK-3 & Special Education Infant-3
Certified Trainer for Maryland State Department of Education
2nd Grade Teachers
Cami Cohen
2nd Grade General Studies Teacher
B.A., Elementary Education
M.A., Curriculum and Instruction
M.A., Curriculum and Instruction
Michal Friedman
2nd Grade General Studies Teacher
B.A., Sociology and Elementary Education
M.Ed.,Reading Education
Stem Integration Certificate
Teacher Leadership Fellowship
M.Ed.,Reading Education
Stem Integration Certificate
Teacher Leadership Fellowship
Elizabeth Rich
2nd Grade General Studies Teacher
B.A. Political Science
M.ED. Early Childhood and Elementary Education
M.ED. Early Childhood and Elementary Education
3rd Grade Teachers
Jacqueline Baum
3rd and 4th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher, 5th Grade Hebrew Learning Specialist
B.Ed., Primary and Secondary Art Education
Accreditation as a Senior Qualified Teacher, Oranim Academic Education College
Accreditation as a Senior Qualified Teacher, Oranim Academic Education College
Michal Limonchik
3rd & 5th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher
College of Management Academic Studies, Tel Aviv, Law School
M.A ., Jewish Education
M.A ., Jewish Education
Mollie Wuor
Math Enrichment Specialist
B.S., Elementary Education
Masters in Education Learning and Technology
Masters in Education Learning and Technology
4th Grade Teachers
Jacqueline Baum
3rd and 4th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher, 5th Grade Hebrew Learning Specialist
B.Ed., Primary and Secondary Art Education
Accreditation as a Senior Qualified Teacher, Oranim Academic Education College
Accreditation as a Senior Qualified Teacher, Oranim Academic Education College
Hannah Margolis
4th Grade General Studies Teacher
B.S., Anthropology and Religious Studies
M.Ed., Special Education
M.Ed., Special Education
MollyBeth Rushfield
4th and 5th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher
B.S., Elementary Education
B.HL.
M.A.Ed, Jewish Education
B.HL.
M.A.Ed, Jewish Education
Rochelle Sobel
4th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher
B.A., English Literature
M.A., English Literature
B.S., Judaic Studies
M.A. Education/Judaic Studies
M.A., English Literature
B.S., Judaic Studies
M.A. Education/Judaic Studies
Erica Stein
4th Grade General Studies Teacher
B.A., Religious Studies
M.S.Ed., Integrating Technology in the Classroom
M.S.Ed., Integrating Technology in the Classroom
5th Grade Teachers
Jacqueline Baum
3rd and 4th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher, 5th Grade Hebrew Learning Specialist
B.Ed., Primary and Secondary Art Education
Accreditation as a Senior Qualified Teacher, Oranim Academic Education College
Accreditation as a Senior Qualified Teacher, Oranim Academic Education College
Tovah Koplow
5th Grade General Studies Teacher, Language Arts Enrichment Specialist
B.A., Psychology
M.A., Elementary Education
M.A., Curriculum and Instruction
M.A., Elementary Education
M.A., Curriculum and Instruction
Michal Limonchik
3rd & 5th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher
College of Management Academic Studies, Tel Aviv, Law School
M.A ., Jewish Education
M.A ., Jewish Education
Adi Moshkovitz
5th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher
B.Ed, Science
Certificate of Education
M.A, Second Language Acquisition Specializing in Hebrew
Certificate of Education
M.A, Second Language Acquisition Specializing in Hebrew
MollyBeth Rushfield
4th and 5th Grade Judaic Studies Teacher
B.S., Elementary Education
B.HL.
M.A.Ed, Jewish Education
B.HL.
M.A.Ed, Jewish Education
Judaic Studies Teaching Assistants
Eliran Hindi
Judaic Studies Assistant Teacher
Matriculation certificate majoring in mass communication and society
Lital Saar-Tsfadia
Judaic Studies Assistant Teacher
B.Sc, Nutrition Sciences
M.A., Research of Child and Youth Culture
M.A., Research of Child and Youth Culture
Israeli Center
Einat Hileli
Israeli Center Teacher and Israeli Student Counseling Support Specialist
B.S., Education
iTalam Teaching Method Certification
iTalam Teaching Method Certification
Lower School Mathematics
Jennifer Rittberg
Math and Schedule Coordinator
B.S., Fiber Science
M.S., Education, Concentration: Middle and High School Mathematics Education
M.S., Education, Concentration: Middle and High School Mathematics Education
Mollie Wuor
Math Enrichment Specialist
B.S., Elementary Education
Masters in Education Learning and Technology
Masters in Education Learning and Technology
Lower School Science and STEM
Caitlin Horwitz
Science Specialist
B.A., Early Childhood/Childhood Education and S.T.E.M.
Masters of Science in Educational Studies
Certification in Mind, Brain, and Teaching
Masters of Science in Educational Studies
Certification in Mind, Brain, and Teaching
Alexis Soffler
Science and STEM Coordinator
B.S., Environmental Biology
M.A.T., Secondary Science
PhD, Educational Leadership, Renewal and Change
M.A.T., Secondary Science
PhD, Educational Leadership, Renewal and Change
Lower School Visual & Performing Arts
Sherry Fox
Israeli Dance Teacher
BA
Elementary Education Certification
Israeli Education Certification
Elementary Education Certification
Israeli Education Certification
Sarah Fradkin
School Library Media Specialist, Gurim ESOL Teacher
B.A., College Scholar
M.L.I.S., School Media
M.L.I.S., School Media
Kirsten Kirimlis
General Music, Strings Orchestra, and CESJDS Singers Specialist
Coursework in Elementary Education, Montgomery College
Coursework in Music Education
Coursework in Music Education
Lower School Physical Education
Lower School Educational Support Services
Dvora Bulman
Learning Specialist
B.S., Computer Science
M.S., General and Special Education
Orton Gillingham Certified Educator
M.S., General and Special Education
Orton Gillingham Certified Educator
Lenore Layman
Director, Educational Support Services
B.A., Special Education
M.A., Special Education Learning Consultant
M.A., Special Education Learning Consultant
Heidi Tacktill
Learning Specialist
B.A., Theological Studies
M.S., Mental Health and School Guidance
Florida Teaching Certification: Elementary Ed-K-6, Reading K-6, ESS
M.S., Mental Health and School Guidance
Florida Teaching Certification: Elementary Ed-K-6, Reading K-6, ESS
Carol Urbach Herson
Learning Specialist
B.S., Elementary Education & Special Education
M.Ed, Early Childhood and Special Education K-12
Administration and Supervision Certificate K-12
ESOL Certificate
M.Ed, Early Childhood and Special Education K-12
Administration and Supervision Certificate K-12
ESOL Certificate
Lower School ESOL
Jane Shaughnessy
ESOL Specialist
B.A., English
MSc, Education
Professional Development Program, Elementary Education
Previously certified in Elementary Education by the British Columbia College of Teacher and the State of Oregon
MSc, Education
Professional Development Program, Elementary Education
Previously certified in Elementary Education by the British Columbia College of Teacher and the State of Oregon
Lower School Language Arts
Tovah Koplow
5th Grade General Studies Teacher, Language Arts Enrichment Specialist
B.A., Psychology
M.A., Elementary Education
M.A., Curriculum and Instruction
M.A., Elementary Education
M.A., Curriculum and Instruction
Kimberly Sherk
Language Arts and Social Studies and DEIJ Coordinator
B.A., Elementary Education
M.A., Reading Instruction and Remediation
Ed.D TeacherLeadership
M.A., Reading Instruction and Remediation
Ed.D TeacherLeadership
Lower School Media Center
Sarah Fradkin
School Library Media Specialist, Gurim ESOL Teacher
B.A., College Scholar
M.L.I.S., School Media
M.L.I.S., School Media
Sarah Roark
Head Media Specialist and T'filah Specialist
B.S., Elementary Education and Philosophy
M.A., Education and Human Development
M.S., School Library Media
Certification in Jewish Family Life Education
M.A., Education and Human Development
M.S., School Library Media
Certification in Jewish Family Life Education
Lower School Health Room
Natasha Oksenhendler
Head Nurse, Lower School Nurse
B.A., Journalism
A.S., Nursing
Certifications in BLS (Basic Life Support), ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
A.S., Nursing
Certifications in BLS (Basic Life Support), ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) and PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
Lower School Counseling
Wendy Cohen
2nd-4th Grade Counselor
B.S., Psychology
M.S.W.
Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical
M.S.W.
Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical
Gayle Elster
Parenting Resource Center Director, Gurim-1st Grade Counselor and Counseling Support Specialist
B.S., Special Education
M.S.W.
M.S.W.
Einat Hileli
Israeli Center Teacher and Israeli Student Counseling Support Specialist
B.S., Education
iTalam Teaching Method Certification
iTalam Teaching Method Certification
Rebecca Prigal
Assistant Principal, 5th Grade Counselor
B.A., Near Eastern and Judaic Studies
M.S., Social Work: Mental Health Specialization
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Certified (LCSW-C)
M.S., Social Work: Mental Health Specialization
Licensed Clinical Social Worker - Certified (LCSW-C)
Food Services
Facilities, Maintenance & Security
Maria Cineros
Facilities Staff
Freddy Garrett
Facilities Administrator
Carpentry Degree
Certification in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Certification in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Technology
Hadas Heyman
Instructional Technology Specialist
B.A., Education
M.A., Teaching English as a Second Language
M.S., Instructional Technology
M.A., Teaching English as a Second Language
M.S., Instructional Technology
Beth Poston
Instructional Technology Specialist
B.S., Elementary Education
M.S., K-12 Instructional Technology
M.S., K-12 Instructional Technology
Ginger Thornton
Director of Instructional Technology
B.A., English, History/Philosophy
M.A., English
M.A., History
A.B.D, English
M.A., English
M.A., History
A.B.D, English