Naomi Drewitz

Director and Principal

Naomi Drewitz is starting her second year as Director and Principal of Hatikvah International Academy Charter School. Before Hatikvah, Naomi spent 28 years as not only a K-5 Teacher but also as a Content specialist, Staff Developer and Administrator. She earned her Bachelor Degree from Rutgers University and her Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Kean University. With a strong background in child development, inquiry-based learning and differentiated instruction, she compliments the Hatikvah mission and learning environment. Working at Hatikvah gives her the greatest joy as she watches each child learn and develop into inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young citizens. Principal Drewitz is proud to be on the leadership team, forging the way ahead.

Sarah Schwartz

Coordinator of Hebrew Curriculum and Instruction

Sarah Schwartz is starting her second year at Hatikvah International Academy Charter school. This year Sarah is the Coordinator of Hebrew Curriculum and Instruction here at Hatikvah. Before working at Hatikvah, Sarah was a special education teacher and a bi–lingual special education teacher in New York, as well as a Certified Montessori teacher here in New Jersey. She graduated from Adelphi University with a Masters Degree in Special Education, and is a certified teacher of special education in New York and New Jersey, as well as a certified teacher for Grades K-5. She is looking forward to a wonderful year with all of our staff and students!

Laurie Szymanski

	Head of School Operations
	Laurie is in her second year as the Head of School Operations. Before Hatikvah she attended Berkely College and earned an Associates Degree in Business Administration. She has over 15 years of office administration experience.

Cecile Edwards

	Receptionist/Permanent Substitute
	Cecile is starting her first year as part of the Hatikvah Family. Before Hatikvah, she graduated from Rutgers with her B.A. in History. She also earned her M.A. in Elementary Education from Grand Canyon Online University. She has 5 years of Substituting experience and was also a receptionist for 2 years. A highlight of her career was the year she spent teaching in Ethiopia.

Stacy Weissman

	School Nurse
	Stacy Weissman is beginning her first year as nurse at Hatikvah. She graduated from Rutgers College with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing and obtained her School Nurse Certification from Caldwell College. Stacy has 10 years of prior experience working as a school nurse in Carteret. Stacy lives in East Brunswick with her husband and three children.

Thompson Awinitor

	Security Guard
	Thompson is in his second year as Security Guard for Hatikvah.

Teriz Michael

Art Teacher

Teriz Michael is currently pursuing her Masters in Art Education at Kean University. She began her intensive training in art at the Visual and Performing Arts High School Magnet program in Jersey City and earned a scholarship to attend the School of Visual Arts in New York to study Fine Arts. She has participated in group and solo exhibits, state and national competitions in art, photography, and writing, and community based art projects. In addition, she has collaborated with filmmaker of the award winning film "Garbage Dreams", and with Oscar winner Zana Briski who founded the non profit organization, Kids With Cameras (http://www.kids-with-cameras.org/cairo/) which empowers marginalized children through photography. Hatikvah art Studio website: http://www.oncoursesystems.com/school/webpage.aspx?id=11234899&xpage=971393

Erin Weinberger

Physical Education/Music

Erin Weinberger is starting her first year teaching at Hatikvah teaching physical education and music. Along with obtaining her Masters of Art and Teaching, Erin has 6 years of elementary classroom teaching experience. She is a very active individual teaching at fitness centers as well pushing her dancing by participating on a dance team. http://www.oncoursesystems.com/school/webpage.aspx?id=11194372

Diana Lerner

	Special Education Teacher
	Diana Lerner is the Special Education teacher at Hatikvah International Academy Charter School. Diana has her Master's in Education and Special Education from Rutgers University. She engages all the different learners in class by using small groups and individualized education.

Shanna Taub

Kindergarten General Studies Teacher

Shanna Taub is the Kindergarten General Education teacher. This is her second year at Hatikvah teaching Kindergarten. Before joining the team at Hatikvah, Mrs. Taub taught preschool in both New York and New Jersey for ten years. She has her B.A. in Early Childhood Education and her M.S. in literacy. Mrs. Taub believes in learning through discovery and uses a hands-on center based approach to teaching. Her classroom is a place where each individual child is able fully reach their potential and develops a life long love of learning.

Sarah Miller

Kindergarten Hebrew Teacher

Sarah Miller is starting her first year at Hatikvah International Charter School as a Kindergarten Hebrew Teacher. Sarah recently graduated from The College of New Jersey with a K-8 Elementary Teaching Certificate certified specifically in History and English. Her past teaching experiences include instructing gym and art classes at Gymboree Play and Music, teaching grades 3-10 in an afterschool Hebrew Language program, and counseling at the Helen Diller Vacation Home for the Blind. Although not a native of Israel, Sarah has been speaking Hebrew her entire life, Hebrew being the first language she learned. Sarah believes that every student deserves a right to an education inspiring the passion and drive to study each subject; if the students are passionate themselves, they will work at their individual optimal potential. “Mora” Sarah hopes to inspire excitement for life-long learning, and support the sense of family within the Hatikvah International Charter School.

Kindergarten General Studies Teacher

Lauren Varod

Kindergarten Hebrew Teacher

This is Laurēn Varod’s second year teaching Hebrew in Kindergarten at Hatikvah. Laurēn is a graduate of CUNY Queens College and has her MA degree from Teachers College-Columbia University. She went to Hebrew University in Jerusalem for the one year study abroad program but loved it so much that she stayed for two years and became a matriculated student of the University. She has a deep appreciation for the Hebrew language and the State of Israel and spends time in Israel as often as possible. Laurēn has taught ESL and Hebrew for over 25 years. Morah Laurēn’s classroom environment is one in which students feel at ease and where fun learning takes place. Her goal is to make a difference in her students’ lives and provide each of her students with the skills to become happy, productive and successful citizens.

Stacy Delehanty

	First Grade General Studies Teacher
	Stacy Delehanty has entered her second year teaching First Grade at Hatikvah International Academy Charter School. This past summer, she attended Teachers College at Columbia University to receive training in the Reading and Writing Workshop models. Stacy creates an engaging classroom atmosphere through read alouds, class discussions, and cooperative learning opportunities.

Irina Kellner

First Grade Hebrew Teacher

Irina is starting her first year as part of the Hatikvah team teaching Hebrew in the 1st Grade. Orginially from Israel, she has previosuly taught Hebrew at the Kindergarten and 1st Grade level. She offers her students creative and student centered lessons.

Samantha Amato

First Grade General Studies Teacher

Samantha Amato is starting her second year with Hatikvah as a First Grade teacher. Samantha completed her Bachelor of Arts in English and also earned a Masters Degree in Elementary/Special Education from Rutgers University. This summer Samantha was trained in the Reading and Writing Workshop models through Columbia University's Teachers College in NYC. Samantha creates a hands-on learning atmosphere to help cater to each individual student's needs because she believes that each child can and should shine when given the proper tools.

Ronit Mizrahi

	First Grade Hebrew Teacher
	Ronit Mizrahi is starting her second year at Hatikvah as one of the First Grade Hebrew Teachers. She has twenty years of teaching experience from Kindergarten through 4th Grade. Ronit loves art and infuses a lot of creativity into her lessons. Her classroom is a place filled with warmth and laughter.

Sarit Bercovici

	Second Grade General Studies Teacher
	Sarit Bercovici is one of the Second Grade General Studies Teacher at Hatikvah International Charter School. She earned a degree for Early Childhood Education and English from Kean University. Sarit is a strong believer in individuality and finds that children all learn differently. She supports her students socially, emotional and academically for them to develop into successful citizens.

Muzik Miller

Second Grade Hebrew Teacher

Muzik Miller is starting her first year at Hatikvah International Charter School as a Second Grade Hebrew Teacher. She has been living and teaching in the United States for over thirty years. Muzik has taught children of a wide variety of ages from early childhood through high school students. Muzik is very eager to help her students develop the ability to function within a new language and hopes to inspire excitement and curiosity in her students.

Erika Reiss

Second Grade General Studies Teacher

Erika Reiss is starting her second year teaching at Hatikvah International Academy Charter School. Erika is a graduate of Syracuse University with a degree in Inclusive Elementary and Special Education. She recently graduated from Rider University with a M.A. in Reading and Language arts and obtained a Reading Specialist certification. Prior to Hatikvah, Erika has taught second, fourth, and fifth grade in New Jersey’s public schools for three years. She creates a community-based atmosphere by utilizing rich literature, cooperative-based learning, and a hands-approach.

Osnat Moalam

	2nd Grade Hebrew Teacher
	Osnat is starting her first year as a Hebrew Teacher in the Second Grade.

Timothy Heckler

	Third Grade General Studies Teacher
	Timothy Heckler is starting his first year teaching 3rd Grade at Hatikvah International Academy Charter School. He has earned a B.A. in History and a M.Ed. in Education from Rutgers University. Timothy offers his students an energetic, rigorous, and student centered environment in the classroom.

Raya Ben-Haim

Third Grade Hebrew Teacher

Raya Ben-Haim is very pleased to join the fantastic team of educators at Hatikvah International Academy Charter School. Raya will continue her career in education, teaching Hebrew language to the third grade class. She taught High School level Hebrew for the past five years, but teaching has been a part of her life for the last twelve years. In the past she has been an Israel programs coordinator for various community and educational organizations. Before teaching, she was an event planner for Universities. That foundation has given her the creativity and energy to enjoy and thrive in life as a teacher.