(Courtesy of WTA) Now entering its second decade, Westchester Torah Academy’s growing student body and infrastructure have increased the school’s staffing needs. The executive leadership team of professionals and lay leaders worked together to identify areas of need, increase efficacy and efficiency.
This year we welcome in two new principals who oversee the full scope of first through eighth grade curriculum and faculty: Morah Gila Ogle as the general studies principal and Rabbi Yair Menchel as our limudei kodesh principal. Their creativity and experience will help us move into our second decade with an eye towards deepening the excellence of our offerings.
Morah Gila Ogle brings her background in curriculum development and staff training to this new role which supervises first through eighth grade (lower school and middle school) general studies. Her passion for raising teacher capacity through high level curriculum and focus on instructional best practice situate her to evaluate WTA’s innovative rotational and project based learning models, which already show tremendous proven success, integrate new curricula and support faculty in implementing these curricula and models.
Rabbi Yair Menchel, well known for his OU parenting podcast, The Jew Next Dor, builds Jewish learning experiences with relationships in mind: relationships with each other and with Hashem. He has a special interest in deepening spiritual connection through learning and prayer. Rabbi Menchel’s background in both school and camp environments inspires creative and engaging programming.
Adi Rosenfeld, formerly a teacher in the school, will bring her background in business to the forefront as she moves into her new role as executive director, managing all of the business and finances of the school. Adi’s background in retail management will set her up to navigate the full operations of WTA.
With a growing student body, WTA also welcomes a number of new teachers and teaching assistants. Debbie Allen, one of WTA’s new Zra’im (2’s) teachers brings eight years of early childhood teaching experience and abundant energy and enthusiasm. Jordana Schneier, new to the middle school faculty, recently graduated from Bank Street College of Education with a master’s in general and special education and brings a passion for teaching math and catering to the needs and learning styles of her students. As the halls fill with new faces of faculty and administrators, we look forward to highlighting them on our social media and in our email communication.
