Meet Ms. Deirdre Dixon
Do you want to see reading come alive? Step into Ms. Dixon’s class and you will immediately be swept into her enthusiasm and love for learning. Her degree in elementary education and advanced reading courses coupled with her many years of experience teaching elementary school through high school students, allow her to guide her students on the path to success in a positive and productive environment. Her dedication to education has led her to tutor and mentor youth in her neighborhood as well.
What I do
I teach fourth grade students English Language Arts using a variety of techniques, strategies and skills while at the same time making it enjoyable for my students.
How I make a difference at YTCTE
I aim to reach and teach every one of my students through guidance and encouragement, motivating them to give it their all and see success.
My favorite part about what I do
Seeing students grow and achieve their educational goals – that is pure joy. Doing this in such a supportive and positive environment is icing on the cake.
Parting Words
The team here is so wonderful and supportive, a recipe for success.
Meet Mrs. Julie Marne
Ever patient and compassionate, Mrs. Marne is a natural in the classroom where her young students adore her and her fun lessons. She has a Masters Degree in Elementary Education and taught both kindergarten and first grade in South Florida for 14 years before joining YTCTE. Mrs. Marne strives to educate the whole child and motivate them to succeed.
What I do
I teach first grade general studies for half the day and assist another class the other half of the day. I teach my students to enjoy learning in a fun, yet structured, environment enveloped in warmth and care.
How I make a difference at YTCTE
I create lasting bonds with my young students and their families. I am a team player who works well with my colleagues as we share ideas to make each day a success
My favorite part about what I do
The students! My favorite and most rewarding part of what I do is spending each day with my students watching them grow academically and emotionally.
Parting Words
I previously worked with Dr. Berman, and I respect his expertise and the wonderful teachers he has at YTCTE.
Meet Mrs. Caryn Milton
Passionate about children, Mrs. Milton chose to dedicate her life to helping them. After over 15 years of teaching, she continues to get excited knowing that she has the ability to positively affect the lives of her students. Mrs. Milton’s love to give has driven her to serve as mentor for Take Stock in Children and as a youth leader in her community.
What I do
I teach fourth grade math, but teaching is so much more than the subject. I create a safe and engaging environment that fosters a lifelong love of learning.
How I make a difference at YTCTE
I have the ability to connect to my students and create a desire within each one to want to learn. I help build better students, with healthy self-esteem, and teach them academic and life skills that they will remember for the rest of their lives.
My favorite part about what I do
I get most excited knowing that I am going to make a positive impact on the lives of my students. To help shape and transform the minds and lives of a child is the most rewarding part of teaching.
Parting Words
When I first walked onto the YTCTE campus, the amount of love and peace I felt was overwhelming. I met some of the students, and the rest is history.
Meet Mrs. Natali Djmal
Full of energy and determination, Mrs. Djmal thrives when it is busy. And when isn’t it? Educated and skilled in business management, she is an expert at keeping things organized and making sure each project or task is completed quickly and completely. Mrs. Djmal’s ever present smile confirms that she is not one to get frazzled or shy away from the task at hand.
What I do
As Rabbi Bernstein’s executive assistant, my primary responsibility is to keep everything organized so that he can be as efficient and effective as possible. As the Yeshiva grows, it is my job to keep track of his many projects and obligations (of which there are many!) and see them through to completion.
How I make a difference at YTCTE
I help the Yeshiva and the CFO grow in an organized and efficient manner. I love checking things off the ever-growing to do list.
My favorite part about what I do
The most rewarding part of my job is the end result! When I work hard, challenge myself and then see something through to its conclusion, I know I succeeded and truly helped the Yeshiva. What could be better?
Parting Words
My life’s mission is to continue my personal spiritual growth with my family and friends. It seems only natural, therefore, to work for the Yeshiva that educates my own children and help it grow too.
Meet Mrs. Meredith Garfinkle
Mrs. Garfinkle’s love for small children is evident to all, making her the ideal teacher’s assistant for early childhood. Her flexible nature and willingness to do whatever is needed helps ensure that the classroom runs smoothly, efficiently, and most importantly, calmly.
What I do
I assist the Morah in the classroom, in whatever way possible, to help her and our yummy children succeed.
How I make a difference at YTCTE
By sharing my input and ideas with such receptive colleagues, I feel I make a difference, not only in my classroom, but for the Yeshiva as well.
My favorite part about what I do
I love making learning fun, seeing my young students succeed and working with such a friendly team.
Parting Words
Being flexible and caring is what fuels success.
Meet Mrs. Chia Leah Bergida
Mrs. Bergida’s decades of experience managing an office combined with her years of chinuch experience as a teacher and camp coordinator, make her the ideal candidate to run one of the Yeshiva’s busiest offices. Her upbeat attitude and willingness to help coupled with her extensive organizational skills makes everyone feel welcomed and comfortable knowing that she will get the job done.
What I do
I am the afternoon secretary for the KES girls office which means I get to man the ship at the most hectic, yet fun shift – carpool! I make sure the carpool process runs smoothly and that everyone, teachers, parents and students leave my office with a smile on their face and the reassurance that they can rely on me and the Yeshiva to do whatever is necessary to help everyone succeed.
How I make a difference at YTCTE
I try to make the staff and parents feel confident that we will always help them. We always have their back.
My favorite part about what I do
I love seeing happy people and knowing I played a role in their happiness. It is great to feel needed and appreciated, even by young children.
Parting Words
I feel it is important for people to look good in others’ eyes and feel good with themselves. I try to make that happen every day as everyone prepares to end a long day in Yeshiva.
Meet Mrs. Esther Osina
Kind and empathetic, Mrs. Osina is a natural around children. As an assistant first, and now a lead teacher as well, she guides and supports her young students on their individual path to self-sufficiency in the classroom. On Shabbos, seh once again spends her time with children, teaching Shabbos programs to youths from all walks of life.
What I do
My role involves teaching elementary students the curriculum while simultaneously modeling for them how to treat others in a respectful way. I try to be kind and understanding to my students, and I like structure and stability in a classroom so each student knows what will be expected of them.
How I make a difference at YTCTE
My goal is to form a class community, with an open mind and open heart, so that each child feels safe and will be able to learn their own capabilities.
My favorite part about what I do
I always try to do my personal best, but there is nothing as rewarding as seeing individual growth in each of my students.
Parting Words
I joined the YTCTE family after seeing how supportive the teachers here are to my own children, and I am so happy that I did. (Of course I love skipping the carpool line too!)
Meet Mrs. Lily De-Paz
Walk into Mrs. De-Paz’s classroom and you will immediately feel the positive energy she generates in her class. Creative and funny, with an ever-positive attitude, her students are happy and love learning as she makes even the most mundane lessons come alive. With certification and experience in both regular and special education as well as ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), Mrs. De-Paz has the ability to help every student shine.
What I do
I teach first grade general studies. I am a firm believer in keeping positive through every aspect of the day. Through positive discipline, a solid reward system and plenty of patience, I am able to build my students’ confidence in their academic abilities.
How I make a difference at YTCTE
I believe that by building my students’ confidence at an early age and giving them a solid foundation, it will assist them with their future academics.
My favorite part about what I do
I love interacting with my students every day. First grade is a year of tremendous academic and growth. I take pride in knowing that I was part of that growth!
Parting Words
I love teaching in a Jewish school and having a class full of adorable girls at YTCTE. This was a first for me and my girls love when I show them how to style their hair in new and creative ways.
Meet Mrs. Chana Olensky
Mrs. Olensky is a kind and compassionate teacher who uses her patience and creativity to engage all her students. She has experience teaching both regular classes as well as self contained classes for students with learning disabilities and has certifications in reading and T.E.S.O.L. (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Mrs. Olensky is very passionate about helping others, devoting her time and talents to various organizations like Friendship Circle, Healing Hearts and Bikur Cholim.
What I do
I teach general studies to delicious first grade boys. I love showing my students how reading is so much more than a subject in school. It is important to me to make sure that each of my students is learning at the right level and that the work is engaging.
How I make a difference at YTCTE
I look at the whole child and make sure their academic, social-emotional, and physical well-being are all accounted for and they are succeeding.
My favorite part about what I do
My favorite part about teaching is my students! Seeing them smile in the classroom and take pride in their successes, big or small, is truly rewarding.
Parting Words
You know you are teaching in the right school when parents, students and teachers all praise the school for varied reasons. It is a privilege to be part of such a well-respected institution.
Meet Mrs. Batya Kahn
With over a decade of teaching experience, Mrs. Kahn excels at creating organized instruction and connecting with each student. She exudes a warmth and happiness that endears her to all and motivates each student to excel.
What I do
I teach fourth grade Limudei Kodesh at KES. I focus on bringing the lessons alive for my talmidos and helping them become closer to Hashem. I try to be a role model for each girl and give them the skills and life-long lessons to live a life as a true Bas Yisroel.
How I make a difference at YTCTE
I try to be the best me and give my students a year to remember. I am proud to see my students enjoy the lessons I teach and the achievements they reach in my class.
My favorite part about what I do
I love connecting with my students and am honored to play a role in transmitting the mesorah to the next generation.
Parting Words
I am super excited to work in a great Yeshiva that shares my visions and encourages success.
