Our Faculty

Mrs. Yael Axelrod
Judaic Studies & Programming Director

Mrs. Yael Axelrod grew up in Woodmere, NY, and attended HAFTR elementary school and high school. Upon graduation, she spent two years studying at Michlalah Jerusalem College, and then went on to Stern College for Women, where she majored in Judaic Studies. She then completed a Master’s degree in Jewish Education at the Azrieli Graduate School for Jewish Education and Administration. Yael has been involved in middle school education for the past 14 years, as a Judaic Studies teacher at the Hebrew Academy of Long Beach, the Moriah School of Englewood, and Westchester Day School. Now at Central, Yael teaches junior and senior Tanach and is the Programming Director. Yael currently lives in New Rochelle with her husband, Chaim, a Rebbe at MTA and the associate Rabbi at the Young Israel of New Rochelle, and their children.

Ms. Kymberly Baker
Assistant Director of Admissions & Office Manager

718-479-8550

After graduating Queens College, Ms. Kymmie Baker worked as an Operations Specialist at Global Operations Security Services, INC. After her time working within the security industry, she moved into the world of Jewish Education as the Administrative Assistant in the Junior High School at YCQ. After an amazing two years, Kymmie joined the Central faculty as Assistant Director of Admissions and Office Manager.

Mr. Erez Bar-Levy
Spanish & Makeup Exam Coordinator

Mr. Erez Bar-Levy is a member of the Foreign Language Department and he teaches all levels of Spanish to our students. He is also known as “Profe”, a Ph.D. candidate at Stony Brook University, with a B.A. and M.A. in Spanish from Binghamton University and St. John’s University. Aside from influencing the world with the Spanish Language & Culture, he is also a passionate reader of the Spanish Golden Age Literature.

Mrs. Shulamith Biderman
Science

Mrs. Shulamith Biderman, a member of our Science Department, teaches the science of Forensics, supports our Biology and Chemistry courses, and is our laboratory technician and instructor for Biology and Chemistry. Mrs. Biderman received her B.A. from Brooklyn College. Before joining the faculty of Central, Mrs. Biderman taught Biology at Shevach High School and Prospect Park High School, and was a lab instructor at Shulamith High School.

Ms. Sophie Blumenthal
Learning Specialist

Ms. Sophie Blumenthal is a learning specialist. After spending a year and a half learning in Shaalvim for Women, she graduated from Stern College for Women with a degree in psychology. Ms. Blumenthal then went on to get her Masters of Social Work from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work. She spent a year interning here at YUHSG. She is a Licensed Social Worker by the State of New York. Ms. Blumenthal has worked in a number of special education schools, ranging from preschool through middle school. She spent three summers touring, inspiring, and learning with high school girls on NCSY Michlelet.

Mrs. Rena Boord
Director of College Guidance, Junior Grade Dean, & English

Mrs. Rena Boord is the Director of College Guidance, the Junior Grade Dean, and an English teacher. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Stern College for Women and a Masters of Education, along with certification as a School Psychologist, at Queens College. Rena hails from Midreshet Shalhevet where she worked as both the Director of College Guidance and a member of the English faculty. Rena has also been an ACT and SAT test prep consultant for over 20 years and brings her well-established knowledge of the exams to her role.

Mr. Yitzchok Borenstein
Math

Mr. Yitzchok Borenstein is a member of our Math Department. He received his B.A. in Math with a minor in Secondary Education from Queens College in 2005. He has also passed four actuarial exams. Previously, he taught at Yeshiva Derech Hatorah, where he taught Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry. He has also taught AP classes, including Statistics, Microeconomics and Psychology. Mr. Borenstein is also trained by CIJE to teach STEM classes.

Mrs. Miriam Chopp
Science

Mrs. Miriam Chopp, a member of our Science Department, teaches Chemistry and AP Chemistry. She also mentors our science teams in a number of statewide and local competitions. She came to us with ten years of experience, teaching Regents Biology, Chemistry, and Earth Science at prominent yeshiva high schools in the metropolitan area. Mrs. Chopp is a magna cum laude graduate in Chemistry from Brooklyn College and holds Master’s degrees in Chemistry and Secondary School Education. In 2012 she received her Master of Science in Teacher Education in Science from Columbia University. She is also a graduate of Michlalah in Jerusalem and was the recipient of an Empire State Mathematics and Science Teacher’s Fellowship. Mrs. Chopp is listed in the 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2005 – 2011 editions of “Who’s Who in Education”. In May 2008, she received the Senator Padavan Certificate of Honor for local teachers. During the summer of 2010, Mrs. Chopp attended the 5th Annual Schwartz Family Science Teachers Seminar at the Davidson Institute of Science Education at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel. She attended a three-week chemistry modeling seminar sponsored by STEM teachers NYC at Columbia University during the Summer of 2016. She is currently acting as a mentor to new teachers following the completion of a two-year training course sponsored by the Jewish New Teacher Project.

Ms. Sydney Daitch
Judaic Studies & Programming Director

Ms. Sydney Daitch is originally from Merrick, NY and attended HANC for elementary and high school. She continued on to study at Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim (MMY) and then received her B.A. from Stern College’s Honors Program and Master’s Degree from Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. Ms. Daitch also serves as the Programming Director at Camp Kaylie, and prior to her joining the faculty at Central, she was a teacher and Jewish Life Fellow at The Moriah School and a teacher and advisor at SKA. Ms. Daitch also spent a year learning Tanach in Yerushalayim as a member of the Mayan Bellows Eshkolot Tanach Educators Program and has continued on as a member of their Professional Development Cohort. Ms. Daitch teaches Chumash and Jewish History and serves as a Programming Director at Central.

Ms. Chaviva Fisher
Executive Director

Ms. Chaviva Fisher served as the Director of Finance at Yeshiva University, where she worked with multiple departments overseeing operations and budgeting. She earned an MS in Accounting as well as an MBA in Finance from Baruch College. Ms. Fisher lives in Teaneck, NJ with her husband and three children, where she serves as a member of the Board of Trustees at Congregation Beth Aaron.

Mrs. Ruth Fried
Chair, Science Department

Mrs. Ruth Fried is the Chairperson of the Science Department and the Coordinator of the Science Institute. She teaches Regents Biology and Advanced Placement Biology. She serves as the liaison to the Yeshiva University High Schools/Albert Einstein College of Medicine Joint Summer Research Program. She was a summa cum laude graduate of Stern College for Women, where she majored in Biology, and she holds a Master’s degree in Biology from New York University. Mrs. Fried is a member of the Educational Steering Committee for the March of Dimes Nelson Rosenthal Convocation. In the summer of 2008, Mrs. Fried was selected to attend the third Sheila Schwartz Family International Leading Science Teacher Seminar at the Davidson Institute of Science Education at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel. She received certification to implement both the Davidson Institute and the British Neufield Foundation Science Literacy Program (LSS – Learning Skills for Science). In 2014, she judged the NYSSEF (Andromeda Division) Science Division. Mrs. Fried is a recipient of the $10,000 Toyota Tapestry Grant from the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA).

Ms. Chevi Friedman
English, Yearbook Advisor, & AP Coordinator

Ms. Chevi Friedman teaches English, supervises the debate team, and organizes the weekly newsletter, The Update. Ms. Friedman earned her B.A from Stern College for Women, where she majored in English Literature and completed a minor in education. Ms. Friedman completed her M.A in English Adolescent Education from Hunter College, where she also received her NY State teaching certification. Prior to teaching at Central, Ms. Friedman taught middle school English and history at Yeshivah of Flatbush. She teaches ninth, eleventh, and twelfth grade English classes.

Dr. Ariella Gettenberg
School Psychologist

Dr. Ariella Gettenberg earned her doctoral degree in School Psychology from St. John’s University and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Stern College for Women. She is a NYS certified school psychologist and has trained extensively in both clinical and school settings. Prior to this position, Ariella worked as a postdoctoral fellow in a group private practice, where she specialized in treating Jewish Orthodox teenagers and young women from a wide range of backgrounds and reasons for seeking treatment. She has prior experience working in both private and public high schools, community- and school-based clinics, and conducting comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations. Ariella is a proud Central graduate and is excited to be back with the Central family!

Rabbi Dr. Chesky Gewirtz
Psychology and Torah, Stern College Course

Rabbi Dr. Chesky Gewirtz received his doctorate in Combined Clinical-School Psychology from Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University (YU) and his Master’s in Education from Azrieli Graduate School of Education at YU. Additionally, he has rabbinic ordination from Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He has worked and taught in a wide range of clinical and educational settings and is currently an administrator and clinical psychologist at a hospital in Queens, NY and has a private practice in Long Island specializing in anxiety treatment. He also serves as an adjunct clinical supervisor for YU’s Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. While he has long felt connected to the Central family, he is excited to formally join the team, teaching a college-level course. He, his wife Aliza (Dean of Students) and four children reside in West Hempstead, NY.

Ms. Kathy Gold
Learning Specialist

Ms. Kathy Gold earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Studies Secondary Education, with a minor in Judaic Studies, from New York University and her Master’s degree in Special Education from Hunter College. She is a special education teacher and worked for the NYC Department of Education for thirteen years. She is also an executive function coach for Beyond Booksmart, as well as a private tutor in her community. Her volunteer experience includes being the education coordinator for Meorot, a board trustee for the Great Neck Library, a member of the Hebrew board of North Shore Hebrew Academy and an executive board member of the Young Israel of Great Neck. Ms. Gold is passionate about empowering young people to build their metacognitive skills, self-advocacy skills and growth mindset to help them continuously achieve their academic and social-emotional goals.

Mrs. Alisa Goldberger
Director of Operations

Mrs. Alisa Goldberger is our Director of Operations. She holds a BS in Business Communications from Touro College and was the recipient of the Academic Excellence award. Before coming to YUHSG, Mrs. Goldberger worked in the office at YULA Girls’ School in Los Angeles.

Ms. Lisa Goldman
Educational Administrator & Attendance & Regents Coordinator

Ms. Lisa Goldman is our Educational Administrator, Attendance Coordinator, and Regents Coordinator. She is admitted to practice law in New York and received her Juris Doctorate from Yeshiva University’s Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Ms. Goldman also holds a B.A. in Psychology and Jewish History from New York University, College of Arts and Science and is a SHRM-CP (Society for Human Resource Management – Certified Professional). Prior to coming to Central, Ms. Goldman spent 8 years as an HR Generalist at Westchester Day School/Westchester Summer Day in Mamaroneck, NY, where she streamlined data management by implementing an HRIS system. She is passionate about Jewish Education and improving systems and processes to maximize efficiency and productivity. She lives in Great Neck with her husband and three children.

Rabbi Josh Goller
Mashgiach Ruchani

Rabbi Joshua Goller serves as our Mashgiach Ruchani. In addition to his role at Central, Rabbi Goller currently serves as the Rabbi at the Young Israel of West Hempstead, giving multiple weekly shiurim and offering other vibrant adult education and community programs. Before coming to Central, Rabbi Goller was a teacher at HANC High School and a part of their Beit Midrash Program. Previously, he served as the Assistant Rabbi of the Young Israel of Jamaica Estates. He earned his BA in History and received Semicha from Yeshiva University. Rabbi Goller’s dedication to making Torah learning and lessons personal for each student has increased the prominence of personal religious growth in our school community. Rabbi Goller’s insight and leadership are a strong part of the religious guidance team at Central, supporting all of our efforts to design opportunities for our students to make strides in their personal religious growth as an integral part of their Central experience. Rabbi Goller has been an important voice in the leadership of the West Hempstead community and we are excited that his insight and leadership will be a strong part of the religious guidance team at Central. Rabbi Goller’s leadership will support all of our efforts to design opportunities for our students to make strides in their personal religious growth as an integral part of their Central experience.

Mr. Joel Golombeck
Art

Mr. Joel Golombeck is an artist, designer and storyteller. He is the founder and creative director of two creative studios: Rocket Chair Media (creating stories fusing art and interaction with literature and poetry) and A Thing Design (digital design, development and marketing). Prior to starting Rocket Chair Media and A Thing Design, he received an MFA in Design and Technology from Parsons, The New School for Design. In 2008, he received a BS in Studio Art from New York Univeristy. He continues to maintain his own artistic practice (primarily painting and drawing), and is author and/or illustrator to works of fiction and poetry. Mr. Golombeck has presented his work and lectured in a broad range of academic, art and literary institutions and harbors a passion for meaningful communication, teaching and learning at every opportunity.

Ms. Naida Gonzalez
Physical Education

Mr. David Horstman
Physics

Mrs. Atara Himmel
Graphic Design

Mrs. Atara Himmel is a Graphic Designer with a specialty in Brand Identity Design. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Queens College, with a B.S. in Graphic Design. She has been in the creative industry for five years and has worked with all kinds of businesses from nonprofits to photographers. She is passionate about what she does. Coming from a multidisciplinary design background with a concentration in illustration and custom type, she was drawn to the strategic and psychological side of design. She started Everbee Design, a branding studio, to bridge the gap between strategy and design, while still making it accessible to small and budding businesses. Mrs. Himmel teaches her students how to approach real-world graphic design problems and work with different mediums to produce creative solutions.

Mr. Richard Isaacs
History

Mr. Richard Isaacs is a member of our History Department. He was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in History from the University of Toronto, and a Master’s degree in Jewish History from Touro College. Mr. Isaacs also spent many years in yeshiva/kollel in Israel. Mr. Isaacs has taught high school history and English literature for almost twenty years. His specialties are the U.S., Europe, and the Far East. He enjoys directing theater productions, and, as a Canadian, enjoys coaching and playing hockey.

Ms. Sari Kahn
Director of Institutional Advancement

Ms. Sari Kahn joined the YUHS family with a plethora of experience working in the Jewish non-profit sector. Most recently, Ms. Kahn was the Director of Communications at Midreshet Shalhevet High School where she created social media content, facilitated the school’s Open House and Mother-Daughter Dinner, and created the one-of-a-kind “Limo Scavenger Hunt”. For the past 8 years, Ms. Kahn has held the position of Director of NCSY Camp Maor, a performing arts residential camp located in Lakewood, PA, that brings professionals from the fields of voice, dance, film, and theater to work with girls ages 9-16. As a mother of three young daughters and a son, in 2014 she created and founded a camp (in 2016 Ms. Kahn partnered with NCSY Summer) where her own daughters’ creative talents would be allowed to flourish in a warm, collaborative and Jewish environment. In her capacity as Camp Director, Ms. Kahn created a unique summer program, as well as a winter arts program in Teaneck culminating in a sold-out fundraising performance called Meorot. Prior to the creation of NCSY Camp Maor, Sari Kahn was the Executive Director of One Voice: Jewish Women for Israel, a coalition of 12 national Jewish women’s organizations. Ms. Kahn has been hired as a consultant grant writer to national Jewish organizations, written original content published by JTA and The Times of Israel that has reached more than 13,000 people, was a member of the second cohort of the Chesed Leadership Program Fellowship, and resides in West Hempstead, NY, with her husband and six children.                           

Mrs. Marci Karoll
Director of Technology

Mrs. Marci Karoll is the Director of Technology at Central. Mrs. Karoll has spent most of her career working in the Jewish communities of New York and Chicago. Prior to coming to Central, Mrs. Karoll was a program officer at the Legacy Heritage Fund. With a portfolio focused on Jewish education and technology, she developed and implemented www.DahBear.org, an online Hebrew language tool designed to help teachers integrate technology into classroom lessons, enabling students to effectively learn and review Hebrew subjects. Mrs. Karoll was also responsible for the management and support of the Legacy Heritage SMARTBoard Project, including the SMARTBoard Jewish Educational Database which offers more than 2,400 SMART Board lessons created by and for teachers in Jewish schools across the U.S. Mrs. Karoll holds a Master’s degree from Touro College in Instructional Technology and a Master’s degree in Human Services Administration. Mrs. Karoll completed the YU Lead Program of the Center for the Jewish Future, a year long Day School Leadership Development Program.

Mrs. Amy Katz
History

Mrs. Amy Katz, is the History Department Coordinator. Mrs. Katz teaches Global Studies and U.S. History. Mrs. Katz holds a B.A. in History from SUNY Binghamton, where she minored in Judaic Studies. She received a Master’s degree in Secondary School Social Studies Education from Queens College. She has participated in the Azrieli Graduate School Summer Seminar for High School Teachers on “Issues and Themes in Holocaust Education” and the China Institute’s “Women in Chinese History.” Mrs. Katz also attended the workshop “Amsterdam/New Amsterdam: People, Places and Things” at the Museum of the City of New York, and the “African Burial Ground National Monument Workshop” at the African Burial Ground National Monument. She attended the U.S. History for Teachers of Advanced Placement program at Molloy College.

Mrs. Shulamis Krohn
Math

Mrs. Osnat Laks
Hebrew Language

Mrs. Laks teaches Hebrew Language at Central and also in the Ptach program. Mrs. Laks grew up in Israel and received her degree from the Seminar Ohr Chaim, Bnei Brak. Afterward, she went on to obtain her Master’s in Education from Seminar Haifa and a degree in special education from Seminar Tel Aviv. In Israel, she taught Limudei Kodesh and special education classes at the high-school Netiv Ohr in Chadera. When she moved to the U.S., she taught at Westchester Day School, and then North Shore Hebrew Academy. There, she created the Hebrew Language curriculum for the Middle School and taught Jewish History and Lashon.

Mrs. Karen Lavner
Judaic Studies & Freshman Grade Dean

Mrs. Karen Lavner is a member of our Judaic Studies Department and teaches Chumash. She also serves as the Junior Grade Dean. In the past, Mrs. Lavner served as the faculty advisor for the Names, Not Numbers© Holocaust Memorial Project. Mrs. Lavner is a summa cum laude graduate of Stern College with a B.A. in Judaic Studies and Psychology. She was awarded the Belkin Scholarship for Academic Excellence, the Miriam Araten Memorial Award for Excellence in Bible, and the Ida Lamport Hurowitz Memorial Award for Excellence in Psychology. She also served as coordinator of the Peer Counseling Program at Stern College for Women. Before coming to Central in 2007, Mrs. Lavner worked in psychology research at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. We note with pride that Mrs. Lavner was the valedictorian of Central’s Class of 2002 and the recipient of the Keter Shem Tov award.

Rabbi Zvi Lew
Israel Guidance Director

Rabbi Zvi Lew, a member of our Judaic Studies Department, also serves as our Joy Rochwarger Balsam Israel Guidance Director. He teaches Chumash and Halacha/Gemara. On Fridays, Rabbi Lew teaches a shiur to our returning alumnae. Rabbi Lew also serves as the advisor to our champion Torah Bowl Team, as well as to our Senior Beit Midrash. In addition to teaching at Central, Rabbi Lew teaches at Ateret Women’s Seminary of Queens College. Before coming to Central, Rabbi Lew was a faculty member at several area yeshivot, including SKA, Westchester Hebrew High School, and Yeshiva Netzach Dovid for Men. Rabbi Lew holds a B.A. in Psychology from Yeshiva University. He studied at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University for Rabbinic ordination. He is a Master’s degree candidate at Yeshiva University’s Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration.

Ms. Lisa Rothstein
Chair, English Department

Ms. Lisa Rothstein is the Chairperson of the English Department. In addition to teaching English, she also coaches the College Bowl and Poetry teams. Ms. Rothstein earned a B.A. with both general and departmental honors in English, and an M.A. from the University of Chicago. Before coming to Central, she taught at Ramaz and Akiba Schechter in Chicago. Ms. Rothstein is a regular contributor to program development for the Princeton Review. She received the New York State English Council Educator of Excellence award in 2009, and the Princeton Review Teacher of the Year award in 2005 and 2009.

Ms. Beverly S. Segal
Consultant

Ms. Beverly S. Segal is a seasoned educator with an outstanding reputation in both formal and informal education. Ms. Segal possesses a love and understanding of teenagers and a passion for engaging students in discovery and exploration. Her career has been dedicated to advancing Jewish education and promoting thoughtful approaches to the critical questions we face in the Jewish community. Before coming to Central, Ms. Segal was a core faculty member at SAR Academy in Riverdale, NY for 17 years, where she was both highly respected and beloved. In addition to her classroom experience, Ms. Segal designed innovative learning programs for the Early Childhood Center, served on the Teachers’ Liaison Committee, and chaired the New York State Association of Independent Schools accreditation subcommittee with a focus on school administration. She has presented workshops on curriculum to educators. Ms. Segal graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania. She holds two Master’s degrees, one in Education from Adelphi University and one, most recently, in School Building Administration from St. John’s University. Ms. Segal has also served as Program Director in Jewish and secular summer camps for the last eighteen years. She is an attorney, having graduated from Yeshiva University’s Cardozo Law School, and is a member of the New York State Bar. Prior to becoming an educator, Ms. Segal practiced as a litigator in Washington, D.C., and worked for the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in Manhattan.

Mr. Michael Spindel
Engineering

Growing up primarily on Long Island, Michael was raised in the deaf culture by two deaf parents. Living in these circumstances, Michael learned to sign before being able to walk or talk. Having been an avid game player and programmer throughout high school, Michael decided to combine these two skills with a degree in Game Design and forthcoming Masters in Mobile Engineering. It is his hope that he can use his prior engineering experience to engage students in a rigorous and exploratory experience into the world of engineering. Additionally, he spent two and a half years teaching both sign language and game design and uses his experiences both inside and outside of the classroom to enhance the students’ learning experience at Central. Michael brings real-life experience with programming and designing games to the classroom. Michael is looking forward to having a positive year, and can’t wait to help his students learn and grow.

Rabbi Moshe Taub
Judaic Studies

After studying under Rav Dovid Soloveitchik in Yerushalayim, and receiving his Semicha from BMG in Lakewood, Rabbi Moshe Taub became the Rav of the Young Israel of Buffalo and the Director of the BVK Kosher Council. There, he built the city’s first Eruv and certified facilities all over the globe. His ‘Shul Chronicles’ column has been a weekly feature in Ami Magazine, where Rabbi Taub also serves as Rabbinical Editor since its inception. This column touches upon areas of Halacha, Hashkafa, History, and the Rabbinate. He has served as Menahel at Telshe Yeshiva/Riverdale and has taught in any number of local schools and Yeshivot, including Shevach High School for Girls, Yeshivas Noviminsk, and Springfield Yeshiva, and has been a guest speaker/lecturer for eclectic crowds, ranging from premier yeshivot and synagogues to Harvard Law School. His books on Halacha, as well as a four-part series on American Jewish History, will, G-d willing, be published starting in 2023 by Mosaica Press.

Rabbi Taub serves as the Marah D’Asra of the Young Israel of Holliswood/Holliswood Jewish Center. He resides in Holliswood, Queens with his wife Nechama, and five children kn’a.

Mrs. Rebecca Teper
Judaic Studies & Senior Grade Dean

Mrs. Rebecca Teper is a member of our Judaic Studies Department and a Programming Director. She teaches ninth grade Chumash and tenth grade Navi. After two years at Michlalah Jerusalem College, she graduated with High Honors (Summa Cum Laude) from Queens College with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in History. Mrs. Teper has completed her Master’s degree at the Azrieli School of Jewish Education and Administration as part of their 1-year accelerated Master’s program. Prior to joining the faculty at Central, Mrs. Teper taught Judaic Studies at Yeshiva of Central Queens and SAR Academy.

Rabbi Elie Weissman
Tanach Coordinator

Rabbi Elie Weissman is the Tanach Coordinator and a member of the Judaic Studies Department, who teaches Gemara and Navi. Rabbi Weissman received his B.A. cum laude in English from Yeshiva University and his Master’s degree in Bible from the Bernard Revel Graduate School. He was ordained at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary of Yeshiva University. Rabbi Weissman serves as the Rabbi of the Young Israel of Plainview and has lectured for the Five Towns Tanach BeShanah program.

Ms. Kayla Whitaker
English

Kayla Rae Whitaker is a member of the English Department at Central. She also serves as the faculty advisor to the school newspaper. She received a B.A. in English with a minor in Appalachian Studies from the University of Kentucky and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from New York University, which she attended as a Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Scholar. Her novel The Animators was published by Random House in 2017, and was named one of the best debut novels of the year by Entertainment Weekly and one of the best books of the year by NPR, Kirkus Reviews, and BookPage.

Mr. Jason Williams
Science

Mr. Jason Williams is the Science Research/Methodology instructor for the Central Science Institute. Mr. Williams holds a B.S. in Biology from SUNY Stony Brook, and is currently an educator at the Dolan DNA Learning Center of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. An experienced researcher in his own right, he has mentored and supervised many high school students’ independent research projects, and has mentored several Intel Science Talent Search semi-finalists and top winners. Mr. Williams created and currently administers a program for advanced high school research students. These students participate in the international scientific conferences held annually at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. He is also the coordinator of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Partnership for “iplant,” a fifty-million-dollar National Science Foundation project that builds cyberinfrastructure for plant biologists.

Mrs. Saritte Wolkenstein
History

Having had experience as an attorney, Mock Trial Coach, College Guidance Counselor, as well as teaching various subjects in other schools, Mrs. Wolkenstein has an impressive array of accomplishments. Mrs. Wolkenstein has a teacher’s certificate from Michalah Jerusalem College and a Bachelor’s Degree from Brooklyn College. She also holds a Juris Doctorate from Yeshiva University’s Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Mrs. Wolkenstein is a passionate teacher who takes the time to make sure her students understand the lessons and are able to apply them to real-life politics. “The paths which the girls are forging for themselves along with the stellar guidance of our esteemed faculty, will help them navigate our difficult world in the future.”

Mrs. Betty York
Math

Mrs. Betty York is a member of our Mathematics Department, teaching all levels of Algebra, Geometry, Advanced Algebra, and Trigonometry. Mrs. York received her B.S. in Mathematics magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from City University of New York, followed by her Master’s degree in Math Education summa cum laude also from CUNY. She received her Juris Doctor from Hofstra University Law School. Mrs. York previously taught at North Shore Hebrew Academy High School in Great Neck, as well as at TAG in Far Rockaway. She began her career at the Bronx High School of Science.