Yeshivat Noam is excited to introduce an outstanding educational leader, Rabbi Mordechai Schwersenski, to assume the position of elementary school principal beginning September 2018.
Rabbi Schwersenski has been a member of the faculty of Torah Academy of Philadelphia for the past eight years where he served as a rebbe, director of student programming and, for the past four years, as the assistant principal of Judaic studies. Rabbi Schwersenski received his master’s in education from Johns Hopkins University and has continued his professional growth with his participation in the YU Lead Program, the Principal Training Institute through the Consortium of Jewish Day Schools and the Principal Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Rabbi Schwersenski will oversee the entire elementary school, direct its day-to-day functioning, and be responsible for all student growth: social, behavioral and academic. He will work closely with Rabbi Elie Kurtz, Mrs. Caryn Nat, Dr. Miryam Benovitz and Mrs. Jenny Pavel in supervising the Judaic, general, and support faculty in the elementary school, overseeing the hiring of teachers as well as their professional growth and annual evaluations. Rabbi Schwersenski will ensure that Yeshivat Noam is meeting the needs of diverse learners and communicating to parents their children’s strengths and areas for growth.
Rabbi Schwersenski has a proven track record of instituting social/midot programs that lead to improved student behavior and he has created a process for clear and ongoing teacher growth and evaluation that has resulted in enhanced teaching and learning. Rabbi Schwersenski impressed Yeshivat Noam with his knowledge of education, his research-based approach to teacher support and evaluation and, most importantly, his warmth and sincerity.
According to Co-President Abie Cohen, “By hiring Rabbi Schwersenski to oversee the elementary school, Rabbi Hagler’s role will change to the head of school. As head of school, Rabbi Hagler will work closely with the board, administration, faculty and parents to continue to create the vision for the future, develop a long-term strategic plan and focus on financial sustainability.”
According to Co-President Robbie Scharf, “We are fortunate that Rabbi Schwersenski has accepted this opportunity and we look forward to welcoming him and his family to the Bergen County community.”
By JLNJ Staff
