ENHANCING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE
WHOLE CHILD & FOSTERING JEWISH VALUES
MEET THE FACULTY
At Yaldaynu, teachers work in classroom teams, assisted by student teachers. Our teachers are state certified and most have received, or are working toward, completing their masters degrees in education. Classes are small, allowing for an outstanding student-teacher ratio. The faculty is available to discuss development questions and your child’s needs, and works closely with an educational consultant.
ADMINISTRATION & TEACHING STAFF
Coming soon
TEACHING STAFF
Lizzie Rubin
Blue Door
Michaela Katz
Blue Door
Menucha Goldstein, M.S. Ed.
Program Director & Orange Door Teacher
Menucha’s professional life began as a student teacher in Yellow Door in 2009. She has been a devoted member of our faculty for the past eleven years and is committed to the mission and philosophy of Yaldaynu. In addition to teaching in the Pre-K classroom for eight years, Menucha also served as Community Outreach Coordinator and has been teaching the science after-school class for the past four years. As an active and dedicated staff member, Menucha has helped support Yaldaynu’s fundraising auction, as well as assisting with the first ever Giving Tuesday Campaign, attending job fairs, and co-leading Open House Nights for prospective families.
Menucha is a proud alumna of Stern College for Women where she received her B.A. in Early Childhood Education. She went on to receive her M.S.Ed. in Early Childhood Special Education, as well as a M.S. Ed. in Early Childhood Leadership from Bank Street College of Education. A native of Chicago, Menucha is the proud aunt to ten nieces and nephews ranging in age from 7 and 25. She loves to read and do art projects, as well as explore with natural materials. She believes that meaningful experiences have the power to shape children's love for learning and works to create a curriculum that reflects the interests of her students. Menucha is looking forward to learning and working with you and your children!
Lizzie Rubin
Orange Door Teacher
A native New Yorker, Lizzie received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Hunter College. Determined to work in a “helping profession” she was excited when she realized her passion for teaching young children. She is currently pursuing her masters in Early Childhood Education and Special Education at Hunter College. She has experience working in toddler, nursery, and pre-kindergarten classrooms. This will be her fourth year as a member of the Yaldaynu team, and she is grateful to be able to contribute to such a warm and close knit community.
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Rachel Holmes
Blue Door Teacher
Rachel is thrilled to be returning to Yaldaynu for a second year! With a B.A. in History and Theatre Arts from Gettysburg College, Rachel brings her creativity and enthusiasm to every classroom she enters. Before coming to Yaldaynu, Rachel taught at Central Synagogue’s May Family Nursery School, Hopscotch Montessori, and The Montessori in SoHo. She is currently pursuing her master's degree in Early Childhood Education from American Jewish University. Rachel enjoys engaging with the Yaldaynu children, exposing them to new ideas, and allowing them to feel ownership over their learning. When she’s not at Yaldaynu, you can find Rachel in Brooklyn, where she lives with her husband and her Great Dane puppy named Marlo.
Caryn Spaet
Blue Door Teacher
Caryn grew up on Long Island and studied human development and studio art at Binghamton University. Deciding she would like to pursue a career in education, she worked as a financial aid advisor for university students while obtaining her master's degree in school counseling at New York Institute of Technology. She then worked as an advisor for students at The Foreign Fulbright Program helping them with social, emotional and academic issues. After taking several years off to raise her two young daughters (Yaldaynu alumni), she was determined to follow her passion working with younger children. Caryn taught kindergarten at The Spence School and is now looking forward to giving back to her beloved Yaldaynu community.
Caryn loves spending time with her family by going to museums and exploring nature. She loves reading to her children, digging in the dirt and drawing. Caryn cannot wait to spend the year getting to know the next Yaldaynu class and to continue fostering the close knit community that holds a special place in her heart.
Tobie Franklin
Educational and Inclusion Consultant
Tobie has vast experience working in educational and clinical settings in Canada, Israel, the UK, and for the past eleven years, New York City. She completed graduate studies at the University of Toronto in Child Assessment and Counseling, with a focus on child assessment and counseling, special education, educational psychology, and infancy. Additionally, Tobie completed her post-graduate studies at the University of London in Human Rights Law. Before coming to Yaldaynu, Tobie was the Director of Learning Support at The IDEAL School of Manhattan, an inclusion school on the Upper West Side. Tobie previously worked as a classroom teacher, Assistant Director, and Learning Specialist at Yaldaynu prior to becoming the Parent and Family Engagement Manager at B’nai Jeshurun in June 2021.
In her varied career, she has been a learning specialist, an administrator in two Jewish day schools, a family counselor, a psycho-educational consultant, a research assistant in neuropsychology, an infant specialist, and a child advocate. She is looking forward to a wonderful school year.