Meet Mrs. Rivka Lichtman
Building foundations for the future is one way to describe Mrs. Lichtman’s role as Kriah Director. With a Master’s Degree in Literacy and Special Education, and over 18 years of prior experience in Queens and Vancouver, Mrs. Lichtman knows what it takes to get kids to learn. Organized and methodical in her approach, she helps students progress from reading aleph-bais to multi-syllable words and finally to full paragraphs.
What I do
I coordinate the kriah instruction, including classroom push-in instruction and remedial instruction, in grades 1-5 for the KES Girls Division helping students become accurate and fluent readers.
How I make a difference at YTCTE
I want every child to learn how to read and love working hard to see struggling students transform into fluent readers.
My favorite part about what I do
It gives me such pleasure to set students up for success!
Parting Words
Kriah is the foundation for all future learning and I feel privileged to set the stage for future success.
Meet Mrs. Francine Alcabes
Mrs. Alcabes, who holds a Master’s Degree in education, joined Klurman Elementary School after having taught for decades in New York, including 25 years as a special education teacher for the New York City Department of Education followed by general education and student support in the local yeshivos. Her flexibility and dedication to each student as an individual, helps ensure that both she and her students continuously see success.
What I do
I work in the ACE Resource Room with students who need support in reading English. Together, we work on decoding and comprehension, as well as spelling and writing. My focus is to help students increase their self esteem by giving them a chance to feel successful.
How I make a difference at YTCTE
By planning good lessons that reach each child, I can make a difference in their lives now and in the future.
My favorite part about what I do
I believe that reading is one of the most important skills for children to acquire, and I love seeing a student’s ability to read improve.
Parting Words
YTCTE’s reputation precedes it, but seeing first hand how they truly put each child first is very special.
Meet Mrs. Aliza Hochner
Mrs. Hochner’s creativity and enthusiasm for teaching has made her a successful classroom teacher with students of all ages. Having taught in a high school in Seattle and preschool in Detroit before joining the YTCTE team, Mrs. Hochner’s broad range of experience has shaped her into a highly successful and understanding teacher, camp head counselor and youth program advisor.
What I do
Reading, writing and arithmetic is just the beginning of what I do as a third grade boys secular studies teacher. I try to create individualized learning opportunities for my students and encourage their love for learning.
How I make a difference at YTCTE
As a teacher I have the opportunity to be a part of the foundation of my students’ education and be a role model for them.
My favorite part about what I do
The most exciting part of my job is knowing that I am helping my students strive to become the best versions of themselves and seeing them succeed.
Parting Words
I always strive to live every day to its fullest. What better way to do this than by teaching in YTCTE’s warm and loving environment!
Meet Miss Shira Palti
Miss Palti, a dedicated elementary school teacher, brings her joy for life and love of each child into her classroom where she focuses on teaching and guiding her students each day.
What I do
My role involves transmitting knowledge to my fifth grade girls while providing them with a positive, warm environment in which they can fully develop themselves.
How I make a difference at YTCTE
My goal is to motivate my students to be successful and encourage them to be confident, independent thinkers, always striving for growth.
My favorite part about what I do
My mission is to help each child develop their own unique abilities and truly shine.
Parting Words
Every student has the potential for greatness. As teachers, we have the responsibility and privilege to bring that greatness out.
Meet Mrs. Batsheva Blackston
Walk into Morah Batsheva’s kindergarten class and you immediately feel at home. The positive energy is contagious as children learn to love and support their friends in a collaborative environment where everyone is treated like family. With a Masters Degree in Counseling and Psychotherapy, Mrs. Blakston is attuned to the needs of each young child as she focuses on making learning and fun in her creative style.
What I do
I am a kindergarten kodesh teacher and I love using my creativity to think out of the box and do whatever it takes to help my students develop a love for learning and the confidence that they can succeed, all in a warm and nurturing environment.
How I make a difference at YTCTE
I focus on each child’s social and emotional development along with their academic progress and am willing to do things a little differently if my student needs that. At the same time I encourage them to build relationships and improve their achdus.
My favorite part about what I do
I love seeing the positive energy as the children enjoy learning in an exciting way.
Parting Words
When my family moved to Florida we felt that YTCTE would be a good fit for us. Now that I teach in the Yeshiva, I appreciate working with such a wonderful and supportive team.
Meet Mrs. Naamah Marmor
Before moving to North Miami Beach, where her husband became the Rav of the Young Israel of Greater Miami, Mrs. Marmor ran a popular Gan in Eretz Yisroel. Her patience and compassion endear her to all and make her the perfect Morah for our youngest EECC children. As a shul Rebbetzin she is also actively involved in planning women’s and children’s programs for the community.
What I do
As a JPK Morah, I get to welcome YTCTE’s earliest learners into the Yeshiva where I teach them new skills and independence. I love using my creative skills to connect the Parsha and Yomim Tovim to the different units we learn throughout the year while encouraging the children to explore the world around them in a safe and comfortable environment.
How I make a difference at YTCTE
I aim to give the children the confidence they need to thrive as I guide them on the path of Torah and mitzvos, fostering in them a love for Hashem and Yiddishkeit.
My favorite part about what I do
Nothing is quite like the feeling you get when you build relationships with each child and see their eager faces excited to learn.
Parting Words
Watching a young child grasp new skills is truly priceless.
Meet Ms. Aliza Palgon
Ms. Palgon is passionate about teaching reading and writing in real-world contexts and came to RMS after teaching in high schools locally and out-of-state. Creative and committed, she is a talented poet and runs a private recording studio as well. Ms. Palgon has a Master’s Degree in English Education from Columbia University and received Teaching Certification in Florida, New York and Arizona.
What I do
I teach sixth grade Humanities which is the merging of English Language Arts and Social Studies. I primarily utilize the Reading and Writing Workshop model of education and try to give over my passion to my middle school students.
How I make a difference at YTCTE
My goal is to help young people develop the ability to critically read and analyze the world around them so that they can make choices with wisdom and integrity. I aim to help my students, even those who previously hated to read or write, discover a love for reading and writing. My hope is for all students to see the ways that our understanding of history and literature can impact our lives.
My favorite part about what I do
I try to create a culture where kids love to read and take pride in their work. It’s those moments when students want to keep reading, or keep working on their writing, because it has become meaningful to them personally, that makes it all worth it.
Parting Words
I love being part of a team that consistently shows a serious commitment to students’ academic and personal growth.
Meet Mrs. Rivka Goldberg
Mrs. Goldberg joined the KES team after spending 10 years as a classroom teacher and behavioral therapist. She has a Master’s Degree in General and Special Education with a focus on Multiple Disabilities. Mrs. Goldberg has the ability to patiently connect with each student and find creative ways to help them succeed using their own unique strengths and abilities.
What I do
As the Director of Student Support, I help students navigate different challenges that come up over the course of the day, whether socially, emotionally or academically. My goal is to empower them to believe in themselves, tap into their unique talents and be the best version of themselves.
How I make a difference at YTCTE
I love to inspire kids to think beyond their comfort zones and challenge them to reach their fullest potential. Teach them to have grit and perseverance and never give up! I am there to cheer them on and encourage them that there is nothing they can’t do!
My favorite part about what I do
I love watching my students smile and how proud they feel of themselves when they overcome a challenge. You know that “a-ha” moment when a child finally gets something or comes up with a brilliant idea of their own? It’s priceless. Sometimes it takes a long time to get there, but it is always worth the effort.
Parting Words
I love working and collaborating with such an amazing team of professionals. The warmth and love is felt throughout the school. Everyone has the same goal, making sure every student is happy and their needs are met academically, socially and emotionally.
Meet Mrs. Rivka Drebin
Practical, efficient and resourceful, Mrs. Drebin is the capable executive assistant of KES Principal, Rabbi Baumann. With managerial experience in the private sector, Mrs. Drebin is a great team player who takes the initiative to make sure that whatever is needed gets done timely and efficiently.
What I do
I manage Rabbi Baumann’s schedule, arranging meetings with parents and staff. I also coordinate professional development workshops, manage teacher certification and coordinate student therapy.
How I make a difference at YTCTE
There is a lot that needs to get done behind the scenes to allow a principal, and the school, to run efficiently. It is a privilege to be the one to enable Rabbi Baumann to have more time to address the needs of the students and teachers.
My favorite part about what I do
My job is always evolving and always exciting. I interact with so many talented and dedicated people each day.
Parting Words
As an alumna of KES, I love working so closely with Rabbi Baumann, whom I always respected.
Meet Mrs. Shara Netkin
For Mrs. Netkin, it’s all about the students, and her student-centered approach is evident in her engaging and relatable lessons. With Master’s degrees in general and special education as well as educational leadership and over two decades of classroom experience, she is an expert at incorporating her training in Facing History and Ourselves as well as The Writing Revolution in the classroom to make each class relevant and productive. Mrs. Netkin’s enthusiasm is contagious and her dedication and sense of responsibility make her a valuable team member.
What I do
I teach Humanities in the Rohr Middle School where I have the opportunity to combine my passions for teaching history as well as reading and writing. My goal is to help students develop a love of reading, writing, and thinking and help them connect to history so they can understand the world in which they live.
How I make a difference at YTCTE
I make students think independently and have the good fortune of seeing students’ growth from the beginning of the year through the end.
My favorite part about what I do
I love how, as a teacher, every day is a new experience. It is gratifying to see my students, on the cusp of adulthood, meet success and rise to the challenges they encounter.
Parting Words
I enjoy having the opportunity to use the skills Hashem gave me to help other people in my life.
