Shana Devorah Plotsker: First-Grade General Studies Teacher

Morah Shana received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in elementary education. Morah Shana’s focus is to not only help students build academic skills, but also to help them build a community and deepen their love for kindness. Morah Shana is an avid reader and is passionate about fostering curiosity and a love of reading in each of her students.

Gabby Benjamin: Third-Grade General Studies Teacher

Mrs. Benjamin received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in special education. Mrs. Benjamin is extremely passionate about social-emotional learning, and making her students aware of their feelings and emotions. She encourages a sense of community and a growth orientation in her classroom.

Shoshie Gutnick: Third-Grade Judaic  Studies Teacher

To pursue her passion for education, Morah Shoshie earned her bachelor of education in elementary and high school teaching from University of New England, Australia. In Sydney, Shoshie worked with various age groups, including elementary- and high school-age children at Kesser Torah College. Shoshie loves bringing creativity and fun to the classroom, fostering a warm and positive learning environment. She seeks to empower students with pride in their Jewish identity, and instill Torah values that will guide them for life.

Mindy Kirschenbaum: Fourth-Grade General Studies Teacher

Mrs. Kirschenbaum graduated from Touro College with a bachelor of science in accounting and worked at the Blackstone Group, where she was a director in the accounting/finance department. Following her passion for education, Mrs. Kirschenbaum joined Tenafly Chabad Academy during the 2020-2021 school year as a member of the Learning Center, teaching English and math in the middle school. Mrs. Kirschenbaum enjoys watching her students grow, and seeing them reach their potential and beyond.

Sheilah Galanti: Learning Center
Specialist and ESL-Certified Teacher

Mrs. Galanti attended Hunter, Queens and Fairleigh Dickinson University, where she earned her elementary and special education degrees. Mrs. Galanti also received her bilingual extension at Mercy College. Mrs. Galanti has experience as a self-contained classroom teacher, a general studies resource room teacher and a one-on-one facilitator for individuals with learning differences. She has also been a bilingual education teacher, working with both bilingual Yiddish- and bilingual Hebrew-speaking students. She is especially proud to have worked with the state of New York for the culturally sensitive New York State Alternate Assessment. Mrs. Galanti is looking forward to joining the Tenafly Chabad Academy family and is excited to be meeting the children and families in September.

Joo Meang: Chemistry

Born in Korea and having grown up in Sri Lanka, Joo currently resides in Fort Lee with his wife, son and recently born child. Mr. Meang attended Hunter College, CUNY, for BA in chemistry, and later attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY, where he earned his master’s degree in forensic science. Mr. Meang is currently teaching chemistry in the Mahwah public school system. TCA was privileged to hire Mr. Meang through TEACH NJ’s STEM teacher program. We are excited to have him join our team, and we look forward to the passion and innovation he will add to our school.

Rusie Schwartz: Chess

Rusie’s passion for the development of children led her to earn a degree in communication disorders. As a kindergarten teacher for 10 years, Rusie developed a multisensory chess program that addresses all types of learning. She plans to bring her expertise to TCA, and teach her students the important skills the game has to offer.

Bayla Clement: Art Teacher

Born in the U.S. but raised in Israel, Morah Bayla has been an art educator and kindergarten Judaic studies teacher for many years. Morah Bayla studied art for three years in a mechina program at the Israel Art Museum and is trained in a variety of art mediums, focusing primarily on portrait drawing. Over the course of her career, Morah Bayla has been a kindergarten Hebrew teacher, a Sunday school director where she also ran a bat mitzvah program and has run afterschool art clubs where she taught children to create using pencil, charcoal and pastels. Teaching children through song, movement and art is a great passion of hers and that comes through in her lessons. Morah Bayla is looking forward to bringing her passion and energy to TCA.