SCDS Montessori Teachers and School Staff

                           

​Nelly Mirzai
Primary Teacher

Nelly is a primary teacher in the Lilac classroom.

Julie Cohen
​Primary Teacher

Julie is passionate about helping children grow, and creating a healthy environment for them to do so. She has a certificate in Montessori Fundamentals, and joined the SCDS team in 2019. Julie attended training at Midwest Montessori Teacher Training Center in Evanston. 

Goldie Petlak
Primary Teacher

Goldie is passionate about helping children. She has experience working with children of various ages ranging from infants to upper middle school. She has worked in groups of children and one-on-one with them in title 1, and has experience creating a more individualized curriculum for each student. She has experience working in Montessori preschool as well. Goldie is so excited to be joining the Shaarei Chinuch team this year.

Rachel Katz
Primary Teacher

Rachel Katz is thrilled to be joining the Shaarei Chinuch Day School Family as a primary teacher in the Daisy Classroom. Growing up in Israel and Michigan, Rachel has taught children of all ages at Jewish summer camp, Hebrew school, day care, and dance studios. Rachel currently directs, choreographs and dances professionally and brings her love of movement into the classroom. She is completing her Montessori training through the 
Center for Jewish Montessori Teacher Education. Her mission as a teacher is to provide a safe and inviting space in the classroom, where each child discovers their potential and a lifelong love of learning. Rachel is excited for a wonderful year of discovery with her students!

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Shaked Mirzai
​​Primary Assistant-Teacher

Shaked is the Assistant Teacher for the Daisy Classroom.

Sasha Pruss
Primary Assistant-Teacher

Sasha is the Assistant Teacher for the Lilac Classroom. 

Yaakov Gluck
Elementary Teacher

Yaakov is excited to join the shaarei Chinuch team this year. He has experience teaching elementary through young adult students. 

Yaakov is passionate about education and specializes in Judaic studies. He is committed to seeing every student as an individual person with a G-dly soul in them.

Yaakov is in the process of finishing certification from the Center for Jewish Montessori Education.

Masha Bakaleynik
Elementary Teacher

My goal as a teacher is to create an atmosphere in my classroom that feels supportive, safe, as well as stimulating to the children. My hope is to help facilitate their growth and learning and help explore their friendships, interests, and discover their place in the world while focusing on respect and kindness to all.
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Elyana Verkley
Office Manager

Elyana manages the  day-to-day office operations at Shaarei Chinuch Day School. She enjoys working behind the scenes to keep everything at the school running smoothly and efficiently. Her goal is to provide a warm, capable presence in the school to help ensure that all people feel supported.