World Class Teachers
Mrs. Cynthia Adams
1st Grade General Studies Teacher/ Elementary School Supervisor
Mrs. Valbona Belli
1st-6th Grade Science and Art Teacher
employers consider her a great asset to the school because she truly cares about each child, is very organized, and communicates her expectations clearly to students and parents alike.
Mr. Andrew Ferrera
Gym Teacher/Paraprofessional for Nachas
Ms. Sasha German
3rd Grade General Studies Teacher
Mrs. Patricia Giordano
7th and 8th Grade Science Teacher
Mrs. Feiga Mendell OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Mrs. Suncica Hazen
6th-8th grade Grade English language Arts
She is a graduate of Youngstown State University and hold a B.A. in Professional Writing and Editing, as well as a B.S. in Integrated Language Arts Education.
Her degree, certification, and previous experience were all with high school students. Making the change to elementary school has been exciting and truly enjoyable. Mrs. Hazen sincerely looks forward to seeing her students shine in learning every day!
Ms. Regina Iannizzotto
Nachas Program Director/Special Education Teacher
Mrs. Sterna Ivry
3rd Grade Judaic Studies Teacher
Ms. Ahuva Kaplan
Kindergarten and 1st Grade Judaic Studies Teacher
Ms. Esther Klahr
School Guidance Counselor
Mrs. Rika Manison
Ivrit Language Teacher Grades K - 8
Mr. Carl Martin
6th, 7th and 8th Mathematics teacher, Music Teacher K-5
Mrs. Chaya Rosskamm
Jewish History Teacher Grades 7th and 8th/ 8th Grade Supervisor
Mrs. Alla Shats
4th Grade General Studies Teacher
Mrs. Rhonda Sherman
M.S., CCC/SLP
Rhonda graduated with a Bachelor of Science from College of Staten Island in Psychology and received her Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Brooklyn College City University of New York. Rhonda completed her externship at Staten Island University Hospital with clinical practicum in the ventilator and neurology units as well as the Outpatient Clinic. Rhonda also holds a degree as Teacher of Judaic Studies from Bnot Torah Institute Jerusalem, Israel.
Rhonda’s clinical experience includes providing services to individuals from infancy to adult, evaluating and treating individuals with a variety of disorders including: Feeding and swallowing disorders, Articulation disorders, Language disorders, Voice disorders, Fluency disorders, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Vocal Cord Dysfunction, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Hearing Impairments, Cerebral Palsy, Prematurity, G tube feedings, Central Auditory Processing Disorder, Sensory issues, Aphasia, Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Down Syndrome.
Rhonda has been Director of Clinical and Homebound Services for Midwood Child Development Center and currently maintains a private practice servicing Early Intervention (EI), Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) and Committee on Special Education (CSE).
For the past 20 years, Rhonda has been providing services to private school students with a wide range of learning disabilities and has been working with Staten Island Hebrew Academy (SIHA) Nachas Program since 2018.
Rhonda’s mission at SIHA is to have each child reach their maximum potential by providing exemplary assessment and treatment of communication skills with quality speech-language therapy, all while having a positive educational experience.
Mrs. Shaindy Spiegel
2nd Grade Judaic Studies Teacher
Ms. Jordana Syetta
Kindergarten General Studies Teacher
Ms. Svjetlana Tatic
5th Grade General Studies Teacher
Miss Toba Safran
7th and 8th Grade Judaics Teacher
Miss Gabrielle Bronstein
2nd Grade General Studies Teacher
Rabbi Ari Levy
5th/6th grade Judaics teacher, Administrative Assistant
Rabbi Ari Levy was raised in Passaic NJ by parents that have a mixed Syrian/Russian Jewish heritage. Growing up in a home with an open-door policy, Rabbi Levy was exposed to the full gamut of the Jewish experience; Religious or less so, Ashkenazi, Sephardi. everyone was welcome. Following his marriage, Rabbi Levy spent close to five years in Israel, studying in Yeshivas Bais Yisroel in Jerusalem, as well as learning one on one with post high school graduates. During that time, Rabbi Levy was involved in the
Ner Leelef outreach program, where he also attended classes in teaching methodology given by highly acclaimed educators.
Since returning to the states, Rabbi Levy has been involved in various educational programs, and is committed to bringing his excitement and love for learning to each and every student at SIHA.
Mr. Steven Kaufman
6th-8th grade Social Studies
A graduate of the City University of New York system, Mr. Kaufman holds an MA in History and brings a total of 14 years of experience in the field of education to SIHA. Mr. Kaufman believes that learning should be enjoyable for students and always works to incorporate exciting and varied strategies to his classes in order to garner maximum interest and input from those in his charge.
Mr. Kaufman looks forward to working with students every day to further their knowledge of the world around them, as well as those of their predecessors, and is never happier than when he sees the light of understanding in his students’ eyes.
Ms. Rivka Dershowitz
5th & 6th grade girls Judaics & Co- Programming Coordinator
Ms. Dershowitz was born and raised in Lakewood, NJ. She graduated Bais Yaakov High School and continued to learn abroad in Israel at BY Seminar. Ms. Dershowitz really enjoys teaching, inspiring, and caring for her students. She is passionate about Judaism and feels privileged to be the one to connect others to their heritage. Acknowledging thought provoking questions and engaging her students to partake in classroom discussions is a hallmark feature of her teaching style. Ms. Dershowitz’s goal is to connect with each girl and give over life lessons founded on Jewish knowledge, faith and pride.
Morah Nechama Hadassa Bistritz
4th grade girls Judaics
Nechama Hadassa Bistritz is a bright and gifted teacher who has been winning her students hearts and mind throughout her various teaching experiences. Whether it was at Derech Emes, Monsey, 7th grade; Yeshiva Ktana , Passaic, 6th grade; Clifton Cheder , Clifton, 4th grade, JFS, Staten Island, preschool; Little Star , Staten Island preschool; she has infused her students with high academic standards, as well as a love for Yiddishkeit and Torah values. She graduated 8th grade valedictorian – and BY high school, Monsey and BY teaching Seminary with honors. Her dynamic, passionate, and warm personality combined with her professionalism an expertise in the Judaic arena make her a most sought out educator.
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