Board of Directors
Sara Berman, Chair |
Peter Geffen |
Maureen Gonzalez Campbell, Principal
Education & Training
BA, Vassar College ( Tutorial at Oxford University)
MA and 30 credits beyond MA, Teacher's College and City College of NY
I became an educator because...
I chose to work in education because it is an opportunity to faciliate learning for adults and children.
My favorite memory from teaching and learning...
My favorite memory was finishing my classwork and being able to use the reading kit. The reading kit had stories with different levels coded by colors. It was fun selecting stories to read, completing the activities and then earning the next level "up". I remember enjoying reading in my own quiet place and traveling the world through the stories while at "my desk".
I joined HLA because...
It was an opportunity to start up a school that aims to be an excellent institution through teamwork among children, parents, staff, and the community at large.
My vision for our children at HLA...
To create a learning environment where each child is successful in attaining knowledge, acquiring skills while joyful as a thinker and doer at home, school and in society at large.
Esosa Ogbahon, Director of General Studies Curriculum and Instruction
Education & Training
BA, Bucknell University
MA, Brooklyn College, CUNY and Teachers College, Columbia University
I became an educator because...
I chose to work in education for two reasons: 1) I had wonderful teachers; 2) I feel that through education I can have the greatest positive impact on society.
My favorite memory from teaching and learning...
While teaching kindergarten, I had many wonderful experiences. Many of my favorite experiences involved witnessing a child's joy as they learned how to read. On many occasions, children returned to school excited that a word they learned in school existed in the world outside of school. Children shared their real world reading connections with each other, reinforcing their excitement.
I joined HLA because...
I joined the HLA team because of the school's mission of immersing a diverse student body in the Hebrew language and culture.
My vision for our children at HLA...
As you walk into classrooms at HLA, students will be actively engaged in reading and conversing. They will understand that they bring knowledge to the classroom that is worth sharing. Children will also know and feel that there is a large and interesting world outside of the four walls of the classroom.
Ron Azoulay, Director of Hebrew Curriculum and Instruction
Education & Training
BA, Grinnell College
MA, Bank Street School of Education
SBL Certificate, NYC Leadership Academy
I became an educator because...
I became an educator because I believe that education transforms lives, and I wanted to impact students to believe and aspire.
My favorite memory from teaching and learning...
Reading Where the Wild Things Are to my students and listening to, and observing, their reactions to the text, the ideas, and the illustrations in the book.
I joined HLA because...
As a Hebrew speaker, I believe the language is poetic and beautiful. I want to share it with a large audience and simultaneously provide students with the best possible educational opportunities.
My vision for our children at HLA...
To be motivated, imaginative, and playful. I want the students to know that the world is a place where they can have an impact, a connection, and where they can do whatever they set their minds to.
Sheryl Connelly, Director of Operations
Education & Training
BA, Brooklyn College
SJD, University of Waikato School of Law
I chose to work in education because...
I have always dreamed of working in an academic environment and was fortunate to be able to instruct adult learners in my former corporate life. Being able to open a student's mind and introduce them to a new way of thinking or seeing life is the satisfaction that I have enjoyed as a teacher of adult students.
My favorite memory from teaching and learning...
There are many fond memories that I have regarding my education but I would have to say that chief among them would be the Gemara classes that I took with Rabbi Katz in Yeshiva of Flatbush. Those classes were what prompted me to go into law and what generated the first real "ah-HA" moments of my education.
I joined HLA because...
I chose to submit my candidacy for a position with HLA after after my son Timothy was chosen during the lottery, since I had "retired" from the corporate world. HLA represents ideas that I strongly support and I am excited to be involved in furthering the mission of the school.