Wendy earned her B.A. and teaching certification in Elementary Education and Education of the Hearing Impaired from Flagler College in Florida. She taught second grade in Miami and taught and developed IEPs for students ranging from pre-K to 12th grade in a variety of academic settings. Mrs. Bernstein's former administrators, colleagues, students and their parents have commented on her sweet demeanor and exciting, interactive classroom. In 2006-2007, Mrs. Bernstein taught our second grade with fantastic creativity. We are thrilled to welcome her back to the Derech HaTorah family.

Hank earned his B.S. from St. John Fisher College in Accounting and has almost completed his Master's in Education from SUNY Brockport. He is a licensed Special Education teacher and has 7-12 NYS certification in Mathematics. Hank has taught a variety of age and grade levels for the Rochester City School District and worked to improve school quality by serving on planning and curriculum design committees. Hank worked as a banker for 13 years, but was drawn to teaching. Mr. Elich's philosophy of "explore it, use it, know it" leads his students to think creatively and achieve. He is very personable and caring, and always has a smile and kind words for everyone. We are delighted to welcome him back to DHR.

Our new third grade general studies teacher earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and his Master's in Inclusive Childhood Education. He is dual-certified by NYS to teach grades 1-6 and Students with Disabilities at the Childhood Level (grades 1-6). Sam is no stranger to DHR -- he has worked very successfully with several of our students as a BOCES tutor for the last two years. Mr. Frechette is going to be a great addition to our talented faculty!  

Ms. Johnson earned her B.S. in Childhood and Special Education and has NYS teaching certification. Currently, Lisa is working on her Master's in Literacy. Ms. Johnson also teaches at Sylvan Learning Centers and previously taught and worked in real estate. Lisa joined our faculty as a long-term substitute last year and earned herself a spot on our starting line-up! 

Our new grades 5-8 Language Arts teacher earned Bachelor's degrees in Criminal Justice and English, an Associate's degree in Marketing, and is working on her Master's in Adolescent Special Education. Kathleen has NYS dual teaching certification in Childhood Education and Secondary English. Mrs. Philbin is a dynamic, enthusiastic teacher with loads of energy and creativity. 

Our new grades 5-8 Social Studies and Physical Education teacher earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and studied abroad at Middlesex University in London, England. He earned a Master's in Secondary Education and has NYS permanent certification in 7-12 Social Studies. Bill started his teaching career in 2004 in Albany and built a fantastic reputation as a dedicated, outstanding teacher. He was honored on the 2006-2007 Who's Who Among American Teachers list. We are excited to welcome Mr. S!

Rabbi Caro studied Talmudic Law in the Chofetz Chaim in Israel and Milwaukee. He also studied in the Rabbinical Seminary of America's Rabbinical graduate and post-graduate programs. Rabbi Caro received his Rabbinical Ordination from R' Moshe Heineman. Additionally, Rabbi Caro has nearly completed a degree in computer programming. Rabbi Caro served as a permanent substitute for grades 1-8 in 2005-2006 at Yeshivas Tiferes Moshe in Queens, NY. He also worked as a shadow for a hearing impaired fifth grader and is known as an outstanding Baal Kriah. Rabbi Caro is a fun, energetic, hard-working teacher. We know that he's a fantastic Rebbe due to his spectacular "rookie year" at DHR! 

Lea earned a Master's degree in Educational Administration from SUNY Brockport, a Bachelor's in Judaic Studies from SUNY Empire State College, NYS permanent teaching certification (7-12 Hebrew Language), Israeli government permanent teaching certification (K-6 Judaic Studies) and teaching certification (K-12) from Machon Devorah teaching seminary. Mrs. Goldstein has taught first, second, third, fourth and fifth grade and Middle School Judaic Studies, high school Math, and Phys. Ed. In addition to being DHR's founding principal, Mrs. Goldstein taught for 18 years and served as Director/Coordinator of Judaic Studies for 3 years.

Bracha earned a Bachelor's in Psychology from Touro College with a minor in Judaic Studies, and teaching certification from Bais Yaakov of Boro Park Seminary. Over the last 12 years, she has taught Judaic Studies to students in grades 2, 3, middle school and high school. "Morah Bracha" is a very successful, committed and talented teacher who focuses on skill-building and creative techniques in the classroom.

  

Rabbi Rossman earned a Bachelor's degree in Talmudic Law and two Rabbinic law degrees from the Talmudical Institute of Upstate New York. Rabbi Rossman recently completed two years of study at the Rabbinical Seminary of America. He previously taught ninth grade and was a teacher in the Jewish Education Program (JEP) in Queens. Additionally, Rabbi Rossman assists with the first-level Bais Medrash shiur at TIUNY. We are looking forward to another great year!

Penina attended Beth Jacob Teachers' Seminary of America. She also studied at Touro/Landers College for Women. This summer, Mrs. Rossman was trained in the Wilson Reading System and several other reading programs. Penina has taught second, fifth and sixth grades and has taught kindergarten for the last 5 years. Penina is sweet, nurturing, patient, creative -- and her students love her!

Mrs. Wurtzel earned teaching certification from Bnos Chava Teachers' Seminary in Jerusalem, Israel. She also attended Townson State University in Baltimore, MD. Kara has taught third grade Judaic Studies, high school Judaic studies and Hebrew language classes. Additionally, she has taught at local Hebrew schools for the last 6 years. We're looking forward to welcoming Mrs. Wurtzel back to DHR. Her friendly personality and high standards will, once again, be a perfect fit!