Pardes Faculty & Staff Bios

Sara Abrams

Sara Abrams is a 3rd Grade teacher. Sara graduated with a Bachelor’s in Education in 2001 from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. She moved to Arizona eight years ago from south Florida. In her first year in Arizona Sara worked for the JCC in Scottsdale, where she started the current Drama program. Since leaving the JCC, Sara has taught in grades 2-4 for the past seven years. This is her third year at Pardes Jewish Day School and her eighth year of teaching. Currently she is studying for her Master’s in Secondary Education at Arizona State University.

Elaine Chapman

A native Californian, Mrs. Elaine Chapman received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of California, Berkeley. She has been teaching lower elementary school for 39 years. She began her career teaching in the public school in Culver City. After moving to Sacramento, Mrs. Chapman taught for 17 years at Shalom School before joining the faculty at Pardes, in 1999. She was named in Who's Who in Teaching in 1996, was Walmart Teacher of the Year in 2001, and in 2006 received the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education, which enabled her to study in Israel. Mrs. Chapman and her husband have 2 grown children.

Christine DeSiato

Christine DeSiato received her B.S. from the University of Maryland - European Division, and her M.S. from NOVA University. She has been teaching at the junior high/high school level for 20+ years in the areas of math and science. Before coming to Pardes, Christine taught in the Peoria Unified School District for 17 years, and for one year for MCSO - Juvenile Division. This is her second year teaching science to the 6th, 7th and 8th grades at Pardes.

Jennifer Eckstein

Jennifer Eckstein is enjoying her third year at Pardes as a 2nd grade teacher. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Chapman University in Orange, CA and her Post Grad in Education from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ. Ms. Eckstein taught in the Madison School District at Simis for three years in 3rd grade. She then taught in the Creighton School District at Excelencia for three years in 3rd and 4th grades.

Stacy Faer

Stacy has taught both 2nd and 4th grades. She is excited to say that this is her fourth year teaching 4th grade at Pardes. Being able to work with such a knowledgeable and talented staff, along with amazing children, on a daily basis is what makes Pardes such a wonderful place to be. Stacy has earned a B.S. in psychology along with an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University. When not at Pardes she enjoys spending time with her friends and family and her two dogs.

Orit Feinberg

Orit Feinberg, art teacher, is loving her 10th year at Pardes. She teaches art to Pardes students from K-8th grade. Orit grew up in Israel and earned her degree in Graphic design in Israel. Before coming to Pardes, she taught at a Montessori Jewish school in Palm Springs, CA, for six years. Orit is trained in different art media, including clay, printing, sketching, acrylic, water color, mosaic, and collage. She also teaches art history. If you walk around the school you will enjoy the beautiful tiles, murals, and mobiles that she has made with her students. Orit is married to Mark and has two children, a daughter and a son.

Reesa Fern

Reesa Fern, a native upstate New Yorker, has called AZ home for the past 15 years. Reesa received her Bachelor of Arts in history/philosophy and Spanish from Binghamton University, her Master's Degree in teaching from Union College and has an endorsement in Structured English Immersion, K-12. She has taught Social Studies, Spanish and Psychology at the junior high/high school levels for over ten years, most of them in the Gilbert Unified School District. This is her second year teaching 5th - 8th grade at Pardes.

Nicole Garber

This is Nicole Garber's second year teaching at Pardes. Although she grew up in Scottsdale, she recently moved back a year ago after living and working in New York for ten years. While in New York, she spent six years teaching at Rodeph Sholom School in Manhattan where she taught 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades. She also spent one year teaching Kindergarten at P.S. 6. Nicole earned a B.A. in Sports Management and Communications at the University of Michigan. After graduating, she went on to work at the National Basketball Association in the Community Relations Department, where she worked closely with schools and community groups across the country. She decided she wanted to work more closely with children and went back to school to get her Master’s in Childhood Education at Hunter College. She is thrilled to be back in Arizona, with her husband Brian and son Ethan.

Kamna Gaur

Kamna Gaur is the middle school Algebra teacher at Pardes. She grew up in India and has a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, a Bachelor's in Education, and a Master's in Operational Research from Delhi University, India and a one year diploma in Computers also from India. She came to the U.S. in 2002 with her husband. She has two daughters, five-year old Arushi and 5-month old Prisha. This is Kamna’s third year at Pardes. She has taught Math both in India and in the U.S. Kamna likes singing, drawing, dancing, spending time with her family and traveling to new and different places.

Daphna Gold

Daphna Gold is a native of Israel. In 1998 she immigrated to the U.S. with her husband and her two daughters. She lived in Minnesota for two years prior to moving to Arizona. She was a social worker in Israel and in the U.S., and has been teaching Hebrew to all ages since 1993. Daphna has been a member of the Pardes faculty, where she is known as Morah Daphna, for eight years. She holds a B.S.W. from the University of Tel-Aviv and an M.S.W. from ASU. Daphna enjoys cooking for her friends and traveling around the world with her family.

Judith Gottlieb

Judith (Yehudit) Gottlieb has spent her entire professional life, 29 years, as a Special Education teacher. Born and raised in Israel and following her military service, Yehudit focused on Special Education as her career choice and received her State of Israel teaching certification. Subsequently, she joined the teaching staffs of two prestigious institutions: the Psychiatric Hospital at Nes Ziona, and then Etanim State Psychiatric Hospital near Jerusalem. In 1981, Yehudit and family moved to Toronto, Ontario, where she joined the staff as Remedial Teacher at a truly cutting-edge institution, Thera Studies-Muki Baum Treatment Center for the Multi-Handicapped. Her husband Bob worked as PR Director for the Toronto Jewish Federation-United Jewish Appeal. Upon retiring in l991, the Gottliebs moved to Scottsdale, where Yehudit became a volunteer and substitute teacher, first at Solomon Schechter Day School, and then at Pardes. Yehudit is now in her fourth year at Pardes as Resource Hebrew Teacher for grades 3 to 7. She has a married son and two grandchildren living in Florida.

Avital Gross

Avital Gross, also known as Morah Tali, has been teaching at Pardes for the past eight years and still loves it. Recently she was trained in the Hebrew program of Tal-Am. This program encourages the continuation of self-improvement and growth which is implemented in the classroom. Currently she is teaching immersion in the Hebrew language to 1st and 2nd grades. Avital grew up in Israel and served in the Israeli army. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Hebrew and Comparative Literature and in Fine Art at Haifa University. Her continued education, knowledge, and passion in the areas of Art, Dance, spiritual psychology and Kabala enhance her communication skills in and outside the classroom. Before coming to Phoenix Avital lived and taught Hebrew in Pittsburgh for eight years. She and her husband Stuart have three girls. One of them graduated last year and one is still enjoying the excellent academics of Pardes.

Catherine Heimann

Catherine Heimann earned a B.A. in English from Arizona State University and has endorsements in reading and ESL. She has taught for 27 years, most of them in the Deer Valley District. This is her second year at Pardes teaching 6th grade Language Arts.

Lisa Keller

Lisa Keller has been teaching at Pardes since 2006. She has a Master’s degree in Jewish education from the American Jewish University, a Master's in human development from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a BA in psychology from Maryland as well. Following college, she lived in Israel, studying at Pardes Institute for Jewish Studies and volunteered on Project Otzma. Lisa teaches Jewish studies to 3rd through 6th grades, and coordinates the Judaic curriculum.

Rina Kenton

Rina Kenton is in her tenth year at Pardes. Rina teaches Language Arts to grades 7 and 8 and Social Studies to grade 7. As Curriculum and Instruction Specialist for the middle school she also works with teachers across many subject areas to develop curriculum, support teaching and learning, and increase continuity across the middle school. In addition, she works with students and families on the transfer to high school. Leading the annual grade 8 week in Washington, DC, and producing a middle school play every two years also keep Rina busy! Rina grew up in England and received her BA Hons in English at the University of Lancaster. Her post-graduate certification in teaching English and Drama came from St. Martin’s College. Initially a high school teacher of English and Drama, Rina taught in London for many years, before moving to Arizona with her family in 1999. She is currently a student at ASU, and will graduate with a Master’s degree in Liberal Studies in December 2010.

Lauren Kreisberger

Lauren Kreisberger joined the Pardes community two years ago as a Kindergarten teacher. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education with a concentration in Jewish Studies from Arizona State University. She received her Master’s degree in Reading from Adelphi University in New York. Lauren taught in the New York City public school system for nine years while working with the Columbia Teacher’s College Reading and Writing Project, where she continues to attend their annual summer institute. She and her husband Simon have three boys, Eli (9), Ben (6), and Ari (3).

Sadie Reuben

Rabbi Sadie Reuben is delighted to join the Pardes community this year. In the middle school, Rabbi Reuben teaches Jewish studies to both the 7th and 8th grades and a 5th grade beginning Hebrew class. In the lower school, Rabbi Reuben does some beginning Hebrew tutoring. Additionally, Rabbi Reuben helps lead lower and middle school T’fillot and Birkat Hamazon with Rabbi Erica. Rabbi Reuben was ordained in May 2009, from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. Previously she earned a Master’s in Hebrew Letters from Hebrew Union College and a Bachelor of Arts in Judaic Studies from the University of Arizona. Rabbi Reuben grew up right here in Phoenix, AZ, and is so happy to be back home!

Tami Sal

Tami Sal grew up in Israel, went to Beit Berl College to earn her B.Ed., and specialized in the Hebrew language. She taught 1st to 6th grades in Jerusalem for seven years, and taught Hebrew to new immigrants. When she moved to Florida, she taught Hebrew to kindergarteners and middle school students at the Donna Klein Jewish Academy in Boca Raton. Tami is certified in the NETA program, where the focus is teaching Hebrew in Hebrew. She very much enjoys teaching Hebrew in the lower school and the middle school at Pardes. She is proud to have two of her own children here at Pardes Jewish Day School.

Raquel Scharf-Anderson

Raquel Scharf-Anderson, our Curriculum and Instruction Specialist for the lower school and Learning Resource Director K-8, is pleased to be in her 2nd year at Pardes. In our lower school, Mrs. Scharf-Anderson works with the teachers to create a curriculum that is differentiated and uses best practices. In her role with the Learning Resource Center, Mrs. Scharf-Anderson guides families, students and teachers in creating individualized learning plans so that students can find success. Mrs. Scharf-Anderson also runs our Enrichment program for students excelling in the lower school. Raquel grew up in the midwest and attended Russell Sage College in Troy, New York, where she received a degree in Elementary Education and World History. It was at this time that Raquel began her work as a professional vocalist. She later earned a Master's degree in Reading from the Sage Colleges of Albany, New York. Prior to joining Pardes, Raquel ran an education consulting company, The Whole Learner, in addition to teaching in both private and public schools. Raquel and her husband Eric Anderson have both a son and daughter who happily attend Pardes Jewish Day School.

Sheri Schreck

Sheri Schreck teaches first grade at Pardes. Mrs. Schreck has been passing out "Schreckels" to help motivate her young learners throughout the five years that she has been teaching at our school. Sheri spent her childhood in Southfield, Michigan and moved to Arizona upon high school graduation. She attended Arizona State University for both her undergraduate and Master's degrees. She holds a BAE in Elementary Education and an M.Ed. in Counseling. In addition to her Arizona certified K - 8 teaching license, she has both ESL and K - 8 School Counselor endorsements. Mrs. Schreck has taught for 21 years in the Valley, in grades 6, 5, 3, and 1. She began her teaching career in the Isaac School District in Phoenix where she taught for 13 years. She then left the public school system to teach at the school formerly known as The King David School, where she spent three years before joining the Pardes team in 2006. She lives in North Phoenix with her husband Jerry and their three children: Joshua (12), Jillian (11), and Jordanna (3). She takes great pleasure in being able to teach at the same school where her two older children are students.

Randi Sherman

Randi Sherman received her teaching degree from the University of Arizona and her Master’s degree from Arizona State University in elementary education with a specialization in counseling and student personnel. She taught for ten years in the Paradise Valley School District and then took time off to raise her children and to work in the local and national Jewish communities. She returned to the classroom a few years ago and is thrilled to be an assistant kindergarten teacher again this year at Pardes. Randi is the mother of Lyndsi, a junior at San Diego State University and Mathew, a junior at Desert Mountain High School.

Bethany Spector

Bethany Spector is enjoying her sixth year teaching 4th grade at Pardes Jewish Day School. Mrs. Spector graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Additionally, she earned her Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Johns Hopkins University. Prior to teaching at Pardes, she taught 5th and 6th grades at Milestones School in Phoenix, and 6th grade language arts at Roberto Clemente Middle School in Montgomery County, Maryland. Bethany and her husband Jay are the proud parents of two young children. Their daughter is having a wonderful experience as a first grader at Pardes.

Nicole Stokes

Nicole Stokes is in her second year of teaching 1st grade at Pardes. Mrs. Stokes received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from SUNY at Fredonia, and her NYS teaching certification. She has spent the last 12 years in education, teaching a variety of grade levels from pre-K through 6th grade. Additionally, she spent three years as an Early Childhood Coordinator. Mrs. Stokes has begun work on her Master's Degree in Education, with an emphasis on reading, at Northern Arizona University. In addition to teaching 1st Grade at Pardes, she is Co-Chair of the Hineini Committee and Coach of the Pardes Dance and Pom Squads.

Richard Tams

Richard Tams is one of our 5th grade teachers. In middle school, Mr. Tams teaches 6th grade Pre-Algebra. He also teaches middle school choir, plays piano for Tefillah and Kabbalat Shabbat, and writes and performs the music for our wonderful school productions. Mr. Tams was born in New York and spent his younger years on Long Island. He then moved to Scottsdale, where he went to middle and high school. Mr. Tams earned his Bachelor’s degree from the Mary Lou Fulton College of Education (ranked 12th in the nation), allowing him to teach in Kindergarten through 8th grade. He graduated Summa Cum Laude at the top of his class. Mr. Tams is also endorsed to teach English as a second language, and music (choral, band, strings). He was recently married, and is enjoying his third year at Pardes.

Bonnie Verne

Bonnie Verne is one of our 2nd grade teachers and is in her fifth year at Pardes. She began her career with us as Elaine Chapman’s (3rd grade) student teacher in 2004. She is also one of our middle school volleyball team coaches and plans to join our softball team as well. Bonnie was the yearbook advisor for the school from 2005-2009, mentoring middle school students and facilitating the annual book of memories for Pardes. Bonnie grew up in Southern California and played varsity softball for her high school. She attended Cal. State University, Northridge and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. Bonnie relocated to Arizona with her husband and two children in 2003 and returned to school, earning a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix in 2005. Both of her children attended Pardes from Kindergarten, and one is currently in the 3rd grade.

Diane Vogt

Diane Vogt is a "true" native of Arizona, born in 1958 at Good Samaritan Hospital. She attended elementary and secondary school in the Washington School District. After graduating from the University of Arizona in Tucson with a degree in elementary education, Diane taught 5th grade at Senita Elementary School for five years (also in the Washington District). Following that, Mrs. Vogt was lucky enough to be a "stay-at-home-mom" for 16 years. She then slowly went back into the teaching field once her own children grew older, and was actually at our current campus when it was The Looking Glass School, co-teaching in 4th grade. This is Diane Vogt's fourth year here at Pardes, now job-sharing 5th grade with Angie Leiker. Her oldest child is now a resource teacher in the Mesa School District, the second child, Bailey, is currently a junior at ASU, and Eric is a senior at Chaparral High School here in Scottsdale.

Marilyn Wessel

Marilyn Wessel is a native of Phoenix, Arizona and has returned to join the Pardes team as a first grade teacher. She graduated from Arizona State University and has spent the last 22 years in Park City, Utah where she was a reading specialist before she discovered the joy of first graders. Teaching beginning readers and writers is her passion. Outside of the classroom she loves hiking, gardening, bird watching, tennis and spending time with family and friends.

Jason Zaks

Jason Zaks, our Technology teacher, is enjoying his third year at Pardes Jewish Day School. Mr. Zaks teaches technology to all students in kindergarten through 8th grades and is a 6th grade homeroom teacher. Mr. Zaks coaches basketball and takes photographs and videos for use in school publications. Jason grew up in Michigan and attended James Madison College, Michigan State University, where he earned Bachelor’s degrees in Social Relations and Political Science. He earned his Elementary Teaching Certificate at Madonna University (Michigan). Before coming to Pardes, Jason taught in the Alhambra School District (Phoenix). Mr. Zaks and his wife Stefanie are enjoying their fourth year living in Arizona and have a beautiful daughter.

Derek Zappa

Coach Derek Zappa is excited to join Pardes Jewish Day School as Athletic Director and Physical Education Teacher. Derek grew up in Golden, Colorado, and attended Northern Arizona University. He earned his degree in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Physical Education and enjoyed every minute of it. Derek and his wife Emily have two children named Jackson and Maya. Derek had the pleasure of teaching P.E., coaching, and becoming the Athletic Director at Tesseract in Paradise Valley for a number of years. He has worked at Zuni Elementary School in the Scottsdale Unified School District as a P.E. teacher. Derek has coached a variety of team sports: volleyball, basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, and flag football. He also taught on the Leupp Reservation for a year in a 5th and 6th grade multi-age classroom. Derek has a strong passion for athletics, team-building, and heath education. He looks forward to learning and sharing new ideas and concepts that he can incorporate into lessons and objectives for his physical education program.

Lois Zuckerman

Lois Zuckerman continues to enjoy teaching Kindergarten. This is her fourth year at Pardes. Before coming to Pardes, Lois taught 12 years of Kindergarten at the Valley of the Sun J.C.C. Preschool, as well as working as a Pre-K teacher and assistant for five years at the J.C.C. Before becoming a classroom teacher, Lois was a music specialist at Beth-El Preschool for eight years and worked as a music specialist at Temple Solel Hebrew School for four years and at secular preschools for four years. Lois grew up in Pittsburgh, PA. She attended Penn State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Pittsburgh. Lois has lived in Phoenix for 31 years along with her husband, who is an educator as well. She has three grown children.

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