Felicia Abatgis Flynn
Kindergarten Teacher
B.S. Communication Disorders – Fontbonne University; Montessori Certified 3-6 years; Certificate of Clinical Competency – The Judevine Center for Autism; Certified Individual Support Assistant – Easter Seals Midwest; RYT Yoga Instructor
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Every child has a unique learning style, personality and life story. I love working in a school where, as a culture, we honor that uniqueness on a daily basis. Here, children become who they are genuinely meant to become.
Julie Abeles
Kindergarten Teacher
B.S. Apparel Merchandizing – Indiana University; MA Teaching – Webster University
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"Ensuring that children feel a sense of security and belonging within in the school enables them to accept and participate actively in transforming situations. That is what leads to meaningful learning experiences."
David Armstrong
Middle School ELA
BA - Religious Studies (Missouri State University); MA - Religious Studies (Missouri State University); MA - Classics (Washington University in St. Louis)
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"It is my privilege to help the students of Mirowitz hone their mastery of English language and literature and the wider cultural and intellectual worlds the discipline opens up to them as strong thinkers, readers, and writers."
Aimee Bachar
Hebrew Teacher
B.A. Hebrew and Semitic Studies and Economics – University of Wisconsin-Madison; M.A. Foreign Language Acquisition – University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; course work at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and Spertus College of Judaic Studies in Chicago
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Hebrew opens the door to a deeper understanding of Israel and its people, of our heritage and our shared history as a Jewish people. I love being able to hand my students the key to that door.
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Brittany Barrett
1st Grade Teacher
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Betti Blumoff
Music and Drama Teacher
Bachelor of Music Education — University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory of Music; minor in Drama; Master of Music — Southern Illinois University; Certified in Orff Education Levels I and II; Kodaly Certification; Music Educator in elementary schools for 36 years.
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"My favorite memories of childhood centered around choir practice, concerts and musical theater performances. I am honored to now give my students the opportunity to discover their own talents."
Suzanne Burack
Art Teacher
MAT, Communication Arts — Webster University; BFA, Graphic Communication and BSBA, Marketing — Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri; Graduate of the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School
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"My eyes light up when a student creates a carefully thought out piece of art. I can see their ownership and confidence grow. The excitement of their success delights me and encourages us both to take on greater challenges."
Mark Connor
Band Teacher
B.A. in Music - California State University, Chico; Master of Music - University of Colorado; Doctor of Music - Florida State University
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Music is essential to human existence. It is a privilege to teach children and spark in them a lifelong relationship with the arts.
Beca Dennis
Nurse/Tech Support
B.S.N. Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH.
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" Kindness is the language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see!"
Mark Twain
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Katie Gaebler
4th Grade Teacher
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Tina Garcia
Director of Support Services
BA Elementary and Special Education. Fontbonne University
MA. Educational Administration William Woods University
Special Education Director Certificate. William Woods University
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It is a privilege to work for a school that values diversity and believes that all children can learn.
Sallie Glaser
2nd Grade Teacher
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Elementary Education — Stephens College
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Children thrive in an atmosphere of interactive, hands-on activities. This model inspires questions, intellectual risk-taking, and comfort with making mistakes that lead to even greater learning. My greatest satisfaction is watching my students reach their potential in such a setting.
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Alex Hoffman
3rd Grade Teacher
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Nancy James
Middle School Math Teacher
B.S. in Middle School (5-9) Education; Minor in Math — Lesley University, Cambridge MA
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"I love young adults. They are not daunted by life yet. There is always a bright light at the end of the period! We are creating our future right now."
Sagit Krieger
Hebrew and Judaics Teacher
B.S. in Creative Education, concentration — Kibbutzim College of Education, Israel ; M.A. Psychodrama, — Kibbutzim College of Education, Israel
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Learning a new language is like going on a journey. I believe in learning through experience and creating an environment that allows children to build confidence and express their genuine thoughts.
Sue Lapp
Learning Specialist
B.S. Elementary Education, UMSL;
B.S. Human Resources and Family Studies, University of Illinois – Urbana/Champaign;
M.A. Marketing from Webster University; Pardes Summer Institute, Jerusalem
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"I believe a teacher can meet the needs of students so that each is challenged and successful. My classroom is a place where students are encouraged to expand their thinking through experiential learning, and a place where cooperation and mutual respect are highly valued. I want for my students what I want for my own children: for them to be challenged and loved, prepared for what comes next and excited about learning. "
Becky Lerner
Hebrew Coordinator and Teacher
B.A. Near Eastern Languages and Cultures — Indiana University;
B.S. Psychology — Indiana University;
M.A. Cognitive Psychology — Washington University in St. Louis; Jewish Studies Certificate, Training in Tal Am Hebrew curriculum
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"I believe that Hebrew should be taught as a modern language, and as a language that binds the Jewish people to each other, to Israel and to our heritage. We are lucky to be able to do this during childhood years, when they are best equipped for learning language."
Gary Lerner
MS Social Studies, Athletic and Activities Director
BA Communication, University of Missouri–Columbia
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"I am inspired by our student athletes and their drive to learn and improve. It's very gratifying as a coach to have that kind of impact on a player."
Leiba Levine
1st Grade Teacher
B.A. — University of Iowa; Courses in Education, Judaic Studies and Israel History — Hebrew Union College, Jerusalem
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"I take each of my students on a journey of discovery that helps them grow socially, emotionally and intellectually to become all they can become. I am grateful to be an educator — a career that allows me to positively impact the childhood of my students. As I watch them grow throughout their Mirowitz years, I feel proud to have played a role in the development of the school’s bright, articulate and ethical graduates."
Roxana Lichtman
Hebrew Support / Permanent Substitute
Bachelor of Education-B.Ed. from Beit Berl College in Kfar Saba Israel.
Master of Education- M.Ed. in evaluation and curriculum planning from beit Berl College in Kfar Saba, Israel.
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It is an honor for me to be part of this amazing community and help the students to connect/ reconnect to their roots through the Hebrew language.
I feel that teaching Hebrew is like taking the students on a journey into cultural and historical events, it fills me with a lot of joy.
Alison Lohmann
PE Teacher
BS Exercise and Sport Science- Pennsylvania State University
BA French, Language and Culture- Pennsylvania State University
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Experiences that encourage creativity and collaboration can lead to mastery of new skills that will carry you for a lifetime. Guiding students through challenges and watching them grow in ability and confidence is simply one of the best parts of being on team Mirowitz!
Cheryl Maayan
Head of School
B.A. Washington University;
M.A. Jewish Education, Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion; Recipient of Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education; Recipient of Stuart I. Raskas Outstanding Day School Teacher Award
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"I believe that every moment of our lives has potential. As educators, we have the privilege of uplifting the moments of our students' childhood so that they can learn, grow, and be a part of an ideal community. "
Fran Milsk
Librarian
B.S. Education—Northwestern University; M.A. Library Science—Dominican University
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It is an honor to share my passion for reading and learning with the curious learners at Mirowitz. I continue to grow with them!
AJ Moll
Chef
Food Service Degree — US Army Quartermaster School; Food Service Operations — Forest Park Community College; Business Management courses — St Charles Community College; Kashrut and Shabbat Kitchen Preparation — St. Louis Kollel and Aish HaTorah; ServeSafe Certified
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"I have the privilege of changing children’s perceptions of food and nutrition. It turns out, kids DO like vegetables. The fact that I get to do all of this while working for the Jewish community combines all the things I care about."
Connie Mueller
Middle School Math Teacher
B.S. in Computer Science – University of Missouri, St. Louis; MAT – Webster University
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"I am inspired when I see young flexible minds come up with unexpected solutions! I love to teach the creative and critical thinking needed for solving problems."
Rabbi Tracy Nathan
Judaics 5-8
B.A. in English Literature from Wesleyan University.
M.A. in Folklore and Folklife, University of Pennsylvania.
M.A. and Rabbinic Ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.
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"At Mirowitz, I love that I can be part of and help to build a community that embraces learning that is personally meaningful, transformative, values-driven, creative, intellectually vibrant, and joyful."
Andrea Newstead
Director of Technology
B.S. in Elementary Education, concentration mathematics — University of Illinois- Urbana- Champaign; M.A. in Reading, Reading Specialist — Northeastern Illinois University
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"I love giving students opportunities to learn, comprehend and interact with technology in ways that help them solve problems, complete projects and creatively extend their abilities."
Rachel Persellin- Armoza
Hebrew Teacher
B.Sc. - Business - University of Arizona
M.A. - International Affairs - Washington University St. Louis
Twenty years classroom teaching experience, both traditional and non-formal settings - Hebrew language, ELA (in Israel), Israeli dance.
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Both my children are Mirowitz grads (K-8th). I'm excited to be back at this wonderful school to help inspire and educate students and be an active part of the Mirowitz community.
Shannon Rohlman
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
B.S. Elementary Education, cum laude — Bradley University, concentration- English; M.A. Educational Leadership and Principal Certification, Maryville University;
Reading and Writing Project Institute for Writing Coaches, Columbia University; 2009 recipient of Chidush Award for Jewish Educators — Boulder, Colorado; Pardes Summer Institute, Jerusalem
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"When students construct their own individual meanings while participating in a lesson, they take ownership of their learning, and feel pride and accomplishment. I challenge my students as individuals, but also as active members of a community that works together to create a positive climate for learning."
Limor Shacham
Hebrew Teacher
B.A. Education and Literature — Ben Gurion University; Teaching certificate — Ben Gurion University; Concentration in classroom management — Central Missouri State University; Training in Tal Am Hebrew curriculum
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"I want my students to remember where they belong and where they come from. Teaching Hebrew and about Israel reminds them that they have a Jewish home.
Rick Schmidt
Middle School Coordinator & Science Teacher
B.A. Elementary Education, Middle School Certification in Science, Social Studies and Math — University of Missouri-St. Louis; MAT Science — Webster University
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"I relish in those "ah-ha" moments when my students connect what we’ve learned in class to what is happening in the world around them."
Rabbi Scott Slarskey
Director of Jewish Life
B.A. Philosophy and Ancient Civilization — Clark University; Rabbinic Ordination — Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies
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“Educating in a pluralistic setting is exciting to me. By teaching pluralism we empower our children with the skills and attitudes necessary for building future communities that are respectful, rooted in joyful practice, and intent on increasing tzedek in the world. That is what our Jewish future needs.”
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Sarah Spencer
2nd Grade Teacher
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Casey Stallings
Speech/Lang.
B.S. Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Oklahoma
M.S. Speech-Language Pathology, Fontbonne University
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I believe all forms of communication are valid. It's inspiring to watch a child feel empowered as they connect with others in meaningful ways.
Caroline Stapleton
4th Grade Teacher
B.A. Early Childhood & Elementary Education, Summa Cum Laude, Recipient of the 2018 Nancy Williams Award for Equity and Social Justice - Maryville University
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My goal for each of my students is to walk into my room and know they are respected, welcome, and will be heard. Through curiosity and empathy, we will work to become active members of the community, and also engaged citizens of the world.
Val Toskin
Judaics Teacher
B.A. Elementary Education-Brussels, Belgium; Missouri Teacher Certification; Certified in Montessori, Singapore Math, Israel Pedagogy, Project Construct, Tikkun Midot
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"At Mirowitz, we design our classrooms around our students' developmental needs, their family's Jewish values, their interests, and the latest research. My role is to listen, observe, nourish, support, make room for discovery, and create challenges. It is such a fulfilling position!"
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Shelly Udovik
Israeli Ambassador - Shinshinit
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"I love this quote from Ms. Frizzle and the Magic School Bus: 'Take chances, make mistakes and get messy!' I seek to create a classroom that allows for chances, mistakes and messiness, where children feel safe in their vulnerability, and where creativity, enthusiasm, and joyful learning are possible."
Elona Vishnevetskyy
3rd Grade Teacher
B.A in Elementary Education and Special Education- Fontbonne University
Currently working on B.S in Communication Disorders.
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I am beyond privileged to have the opportunity to work at a school like Mirowitz. From the community we see everyday in each classroom, to the experiences provided through Mirowitz in the cloud, this school is nothing but dedicated to providing only the best education for students. With my devoted passion to my students, I work hard every day to ensure your child has lifelong learning that will encourage their dedication to helping themselves, their community, and their world.
Melissa Wachler
Speech/Language Therapist
B.A. Communication Studies — University of Michigan; M.A. Communication Disorders — Central Michigan University
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I am passionate about helping each child find his or her "voice" through the art of communication. It is an incredible privilege to support each student and help them reach their greatest potential.
