FACULTY & STAFF

Administration

From teaching in public and private schools, to earning master’s and doctoral degrees, to serving in the Israel Defense Forces, the administrators of Yavneh Academy have a variety of life experiences and extensive education.
Their commitment to Jewish and secular learning motivates them to continuously raise the standard of college-preparatory education and helps ensure that Yavneh students receive the finest education possible.

Donald R. O’Quinn, Head of School
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B.S., Physics & Mathematics, Stephen F. Austin State University
M.S., Physics & Mathematics, Stephen F. Austin State University

Chad Baruch, J.D., Assistant Principal
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B.A., Political Science, University of Minnesota
J.D., University of Minnesota Law School
The Principals' Center, Graduate School of Education, Harvard University

Tim Cloward, Ph.D., Assistant Principal
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B.A., History & English, University of Texas at Dallas
M.A., Literary Studies, University of Texas at Dallas
Ph.D., Humanities, University of Texas at Dallas

Naomi Schrager, Associate Principal, Judaic Programming
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B.A., Judaic Studies, Yeshiva University
B.A., Philosophy, Yeshiva University
Graduate Certificate in Advanced Talmud, Yeshiva University
M.A. Pending, Secondary Education, Azrieli School of Education

Rabbi Meir Tannenbaum, Associate Principal, Judaic Curriculum
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First Talmudic Degree, Rabbinical College of Long Island
M.A. in Professional Counseling, Argosy University of Dallasv
Rabbinic Ordination, Yeshivat HaNegev
Rabbinic Ordination, Rav Zalman Nechemiah Goldberg
Rabbinic Ordination, Kollel Halichos Yerushalayim

Rabbi Maury Grebenau, Associate Principal, Staff Development
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B.A., Mathematics, Yeshiva University, New York
M.A., Education, Azrieli Graduate School, New York
Rabbinic Ordination, RIETS at Yeshiva University
Rabbinic Ordination, Rav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg
The Principals' Center, Graduate School of Education, Harvard University

Allyn Schmucker, College Counselor and Guidance Director
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B.S., Education, University of Texas at Austin
M.Ed., Guidance and Counseling, University of Houston ,
L.P.C., Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors Allyn Schmucker,

LuAnn Pitlik, Office Manager
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B.S., Education, University of Nebraska
(214) 295-3507

Susan Reinert, Receptionist
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Deb Silverthorn, Director of Communications
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BA., Broadcast Journalism, University of Southern California
(972) 839-6916

Faculty

Bonnie Atkins
AP English III, Writing Center
B.A., Literature, University of Connecticut
M.A., Composition, San Francisco State University

Heather Behr
Counseling
BSW, University of Georgia
MSW, University of Texas at Arlington

Rachel Boim
Hebrew Language
Teaching Certificate Levinsky college, Israel
A.S., Chemistry, Ort Chemistry College, Ramat Gan, Israel

Gloria Boyd
Social Studies, French
B.A., French & Spanish, Mills College
M.A., History, University of Texas at Arlington
Doctoral Studies, Humanities, University of Texas at Dallas

Dorit Bracha
Hebrew (Department Chair)
B.A., Biology, Seminar Shein-in

Kim Corbet
Music
B.A., Music Education, Henderson University
M.A., Music, Texas Christian University

Ari Dembo
Social Studies
B.A., History, University of Texas at Dallas

Susan Regan Donnenfield
Nurse

Nicole Friedman
Judaics studies, Mathematics
B.A., Mathematics, University of Maryland
MAT, Johns Hopkins University

Dr. Steven Goldfine
Science (Department Chair)
B.S., Biology & General Science, SUNY - Albany
M.S., Biological Sciences, SUNY - Albany
Ph.D., SUNY - Stony Brook & Post-Doctoral Fellow, Cornell University Medical College

Rishi Gurevitch
Judaic Studies
Graduate of Beth Rivkah Schools, Division of Higher Learning
Hebrew Teacher Certificate

Sandra Hall-Chiles
Journalism, English
B.A., Journalism, University of North Texas
M.A., Educational Supervision/Gifted Education, Texas Woman's University

Dr. Paula Harvey
English
B.A., English Education, University of Houston
M.A., English, Stephen F. Austin State University
Ph.D., English, University of Wisconsin – Madison

Sara Laizerovich
Hebrew Language
Certificate in Teaching, Shein College, Israel
B.A., Child Development & Education, University of Texas at Dallas
Certificate in Hebrew Language Teaching & Mentoring, Hebrew College, Newton Massachusetts

Peggy Leeman
English (Department Chair)
B.S., English & Business, Texas A&M University - Commerce
M.Ed., Education, Texas A&M University - Commerce
Post-Graduate Studies, Texas Women's University, Southern Methodist University

Peter Lewin
Economics
B.A., Economics & History, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
M.A., Economics, University of Chicago
Ph.D., Economics, University of Chicago

Lourdes Linzey
Science
B.S., Chemical Engineering, St. Louis University

Donna Memran
Chemistry, Environmental Science
Chemistry, Environmental Science ACS certified

Chris Northrup
Mathematics
B.S., Mathematics, University of Texas at Dallas

Monica Ribald
Art
B.S,, Art & Education, New York University
M.S., Art & Education, Queens College

Rhonda Russell
English, Speech
B.A., English & Speech, Texas A&M Commerce
M.S., English, Texas A&M Commercet

Isabella Russell-Ides
Drama
B.A., Philosophy, University of California
Professional Playwright

Odelia Shimon
Hebrew Language
B.A., Special Education, Talypot College Tel Aviv

Rabbi Yaakov Tannenbaum

Veronica Thomas
Mathematics (Department Chair)
B.A., Mathematics, University of the West Indies
M.B.A., Finance, Texas A&M University

Chris Walker
Physical Education/Athletics
B.A., Secondary Education, University of North Texas

Sarah Warmbrodt
Physical Education/Athletics
B.S., Science/Kinesiology, Texas Women’s University

Rabbi Howard Wolk
Judaic Studies
B.A,, Education, Yeshiva University
M.S., Education, Yeshiva University
Rabbinic Ordination, Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, Yeshiva University

Virginia Yates
Technical Skills
B.B.A., University of Cincinnati
M.Ed., Education, Xavier University