Bari Brower, Kindergarten, General Studies Teacher
Education & Training
BA, University of Rhode Island
MA, Hunter College (in progress)
I became a teacher because…
My passion is working with children to help them understand that they are our future and that they have an impact on what happens next in the world.
My favorite memory from teaching and learning…
When I was a senior in college, I studied abroad in Salamanca, Spain. Having studied the Spanish language since 4th grade, I figured I would understand enough to make it out of the experience alive. I had never really conversed in Spanish, but could read and write in the language with proficiency. When we arrived in Spain, we were all immediately taken to the University for our placement exam. I was extremely nervous and thought I did awful. To my surprise, I placed into the second highest level of Spanish and was allowed to take classes at the University with native speakers instead of the American school within the University. I was really proud of myself and realized the great joy and sense of accomplishment that learning a second language provides.
I joined HLA because…
The Hebrew Language Academy is a combination of some of my favorite things in life: teaching, studying Israel, Hebrew culture, and language learning.
My vision for our children at HLA…
I hope that my students will be open minded and accepting of others. I hope that my openness, kindness and patience seeps through to my children and stays with them once they leave school.
Elena Canaras, Special Education Teacher
Education & Training
BA, SUNY Plattsburgh
MA, Bank Street College
I became a teacher because…
As a child, I had a rough time learning and felt that I wasn't "as smart" as the rest of my peers. No child should ever feel that they aren't "good enough." Children should be inspired to make an impact and contribute to the society by building on their individual talents and skills. I trained in special education and became the teacher that I felt I never had in elementary school.
My favorite memory from teaching and learning…
In kindergarten, we were learning about dimes and were directed to color in two pictures of a dime. My kindergarten teacher told us that we had to color in the lines and then later cut out the dimes. I didn't understand why we would have to color in the lines so perfectly if we were just going to end up cutting the pictures out and so I proceeded to color outside of the lines. The kindergarten teacher was not happy and made me start all over again. This was when I realized the importance of purpose.
I joined HLA because…
I like the fact that HLA is a brand new school that challenges the way people typically view a school and its success. I feel lucky and eager to be a part of this movement.
My vision for our children at HLA…
I envision the students embracing cultural diversity within their studies and interactions. I strive to help them develop inquistive minds and work together as a community.
Alan Cohen, Kindergarten, General Studies Teacher
Education & Training
BA, New York University
MA, Brooklyn College Graduate School of Education
I became a teacher because…
I have very strong, positive memories of my childhood. I always enjoyed playing with children, especially my nieces and nephews, as they were growing up, and some of my favorite experiences were when I was a counselor at day and sleepaway camps.
I originally pursued a career in accounting and computers because I didn't make the connection of translating my love for working with children into a career. After 8 years in royalty accounting, I finally made the connection, shifted my career goals and am now excited to bring my experiences to HLA!
My favorite memory from teaching and learning…
I don't know that I have a particular favorite memory, however, all of my prior jobs, which were in early learning centers, involved the transformation of a barren or low performing classroom into one that is thriving and high functioning. I like the idea of building from scratch, of starting up, which is an important part of HLA this year.
I joined HLA because…
I am an early childhood teacher who is secular and has a strong knowledge and love of the Hebrew language and culture. I live in Sheepshead Bay, which is relatively close to the school. HLA seems to have been tailor-made for me! I also feel that it's important to give back to the community in which I live by helping strengthen the learning institutions in the area.
My vision for our children at HLA…
I would like the children to develop a love and enthusiasm for learning, to not be shy to ask about and probe the world around them, to be open minded, to have the understanding that knowledge comes from everywhere, to "thrive," and to have fun while doing it!
Yaron Gal-Zur, First Grade, Hebrew Language Teacher
Education & Training
BA, Hunter College
MA, Hunter College
I became a teacher because…
I became a teacher to make a difference in the world. We have too many conflicts going on in the world because of the lack of education. I believe through education, children will become better persons and citizens.
My favorite memory from teaching and learning…
My favorite memory is from when I returned to the first-grade classroom where I student-taught. The children were so excited that they got out of their chairs and came to greet me. The fact that they all remembered me and were thrilled to see me made me realize that I had been able to influence their lives even though I was only the student teacher.
I joined HLA because…
I joined the HLA team because I strongly believe in the school’s mission. Teaching students the Hebrew language together with Hebrew culture will give students a great opportunity to learn about this fascinating culture, which also happens to be a part of who I am.
My vision for our children at HLA…
I envision that all of my students will take great interest in learning Hebrew, become fluent Hebrew speakers, and continue to pursue the language in their later years.
Nitzan Graham, Kindergarten, Hebrew Language Teacher
Education & Training
BA, Adelphi University
MA, Adelphi University
I became a teacher because…
I became a teacher because as a student, I learned that a teacher can either help a student grow and strive to become a better human being or wilt and fade. I plan to help our students grow into caring and successful human beings.
My favorite memory from teaching and learning…
I love when a student "takes the ball and runs with it," owning and being in control of what I taught him or her! There is no better feeling.
I joined HLA because…
I think that at our core, all humans share common ideals. We want to go to work in the morning and see the sun shining on our children's faces and to come home, knowing that our family is safe. I believe that when we discover how much we all have in common, we'll stop being so angry with each other. That is why I welcome the opportunity to teach at this school where cultural diversity and respect is central to our mission.
My vision for our children at HLA…
I want my students to realize that in diversity, we have strength.
Nicki Lowell, First Grade, General Studies Teacher
Education & Training
BA, Education, Manhattanville College
Double Major: Childhood Education/ Psychology
Minor: Music
I became a teacher because…
I had an amazing experience throughout my elementary education. I loved going to school each day. I became a teacher because it is my goal to create an environment that makes my students feel the same.
My favorite memory from teaching and learning…
My favorite memory from my own educational experience is from second grade. I had a teacher who was so enthusiastic it was infectious. Every day at school was a new surprise!
I joined HLA because…
I joined HLA because I really like working in such a supportive and collaborative school.
My vision for our children at HLA…
My vision for my students at HLA is that they gain the tools to become responsible and respectable adults with a drive for learning.
Coelette Martindale, First Grade, General Studies Teacher
Education & Training
BA, Stony Brook University
MA, Brooklyn College
I became a teacher because…
Teaching has always been my passion, and now I have an opportunity to give back to my community by teaching at HLA. My passion for teaching centers around helping children realize their individual potential and attain a bright and successful future.
My favorite memory from teaching and learning…
Education has impacted my life by opening my mind to many things. It has helped me to understand other cultures, ethnicities, languages, art forms, social behaviors, and more. My best educational experience was during my undergraduate study at Stony Brook University where I achieved my biggest goal at the time—becoming the first member of my family to graduate from college—and set an example for the younger children in my family.
I joined HLA because…
I joined HLA because I think that the idea of creating a dual langugae school in my hometown (Brooklyn) is very exciting. I am happy to be a part of this dual language movement that will educate children of all backgrounds about Hebrew culture as well as provide them with a general education. I joined HLA to help give the children the basic educational foundation that they need to be productive in life.
My vision for our children at HLA…
My vision for my students at HLA is for all of them to become fluent Hebrew speakers, fluent readers, and to have a good understanding of the math, science, and social studies concepts presented to them. I want to push for all of my students to attain high levels of achievement in all that they do.
Natalie Reiss, Kindergarten, General Studies Teacher
Education & Training
BA, CUNY College of Staten Island
I became a teacher because…
I have wanted to become a teacher for as long as I can remember. I love working with children and I enjoy watching them grow. I would love to be a reason why children WANT to go to school! On a more personal note, I have a child of my own and I know what it feels like to be a parent and worry about what your child is doing throughout the day. I can take those feelings with me into the classroom and put parents’ minds at ease. As a teacher, I want to help each child feel important and let them know that they can make a difference in the world.
My favorite memory from teaching and learning…
My favorite memory is when I realized (right about the time that I was in high school) that education is not just about going to school and learning from textbooks. I realized that education can be related to life experiences. At that point, I went from just being a student to being a life-long learner. Learning never stops, and this is something that I would like to pass along to my students.
I joined HLA because…
I joined HLA because I want to be a part of a school that feels like a community and a family. HLA brings people from all different walks of life together. I also joined because the school really puts the needs of the children first. I like the fact that it is a brand new school and that I am a part of a team that is creating a wonderful environment for our students.
My vision for our children at HLA…
I want my students to walk out of my classroom feeling balanced in all aspects of their lives. I want them to leave with excellent academic accomplishments, as well as a sense of love for school and learning.
Qayyim Shabazz, Physical Education
Education & Training
BA, Long Island University/ CW Post
I became a teacher because…
For several years, I worked with nonprofit organizations that serve children in low-income communities. When I graduated from college, I began teaching as a substitute for New York City public schools. I immediately fell in love with teaching and now focus on physical education instruction.
My favorite memory from teaching and learning…
My favorite educational memory is from college. I will never forget walking across the stage to receive my diploma and how proud my family was when I graduated.
I joined HLA because…
I joined HLA because I believe in the school’s mission. It is exciting to be part of a new school because the opportunities for achievement are immense!
My vision for our children at HLA…
We live in a society that is very diverse, and that diversity is reflected in our community. I envision my HLA students using
this diverse learning experience to guide their future endeavors throughout life.
Joelle Villani, First Grade, General Studies Teacher
Education & Training
BA, College of Staten Island
MA, St. John's University
I became a teacher because…
I want to impact the lives of children and their parents. I also want to give back to the community that helped make me the person I am today.
My favorite memory from teaching and learning…
My favorite memory of education was in middle school. This is where I learned to accept myself as an individual and accept others for their differences. Middle school was also the time when I met the people I am still friends with today.
I joined HLA because…
I joined the Hebrew Language Academy because I want to be part of a team of individuals who truly love children and education, and it is clear to me that my colleagues share this ideal.
My vision for our children at HLA…
My vision for my students is that they become joyful learners who look forward to coming to school everyday. Also, I hope that my students have a sense of belonging to our "family" and classroom. I truly want HLA to be their "home away from home."
Elana Weinberg, Kindergarten, Hebrew Language Teacher
Education & Training
BA, Hebrew University
MA, City College
I became a teacher because…
I love working with children and love providing them with a warm and nurturing environment that facilitates learning. I have vivid childhood memories of certain teachers who always made me feel special and for whom I would successfully complete a task, even if it did not come easily. I also have memories of the teachers who did not know me and who made learning a chore. I learned early on how much a teacher can affect a child's learning experience. I decided that I wanted to try to emulate the teacher who had so positively affected me. There is nothing more exciting than seeing the face of a child when he or she achieves a task they previously couldn't acomplish. I love the way children think and really feel that I learn as much from them as they learn from me.
My favorite memory from teaching and learning…
Many years ago, I had a child in my class who loved music and dance. I enjoyed watching her enthusiasm in class when I played the guitar. I must have spoken to this child's mother about facilitating and encouraging her daughter’s love of music. I don't recall these exact conversations, but fifteen years later, this same girl, now a young lady, came to my classroom and thanked me for having encouraged her mother to give her music and dance lessons. She had decided to major in dance and was now a dancer. I rarely have the opportunity to see all of the children I have taught when they are grown, and don't know what it is they recall from preschool, but I will never forget how rewarding it was to encounter this young woman who felt that one of the reasons she had for choosing her path in life, began in preschool.
I joined HLA because…
HLA is a very exciting undertaking. Though there will likely be many challenges and hurdles to overcome, the opportunity to teach children Hebrew in a partial-immersion environment is a rare chance. I am also very excited about the diversity of the student body attending this school. HLA will enable children from the range of American backgrounds to learn about Hebrew culture and language
My vision for our children at HLA…
It is my hope that every child will love coming to school and learn through fun and enriching experiences. I can't wait until the end of this year when many of the children who entered the classroom not speaking a word of Hebrew will be able to understand and communicate in a way they couln't have imagined at the beginning of the year.