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Learning Services Team
צוות שירותי למידה
LEADERSHIP TEAMFACULTYSPECIALISTSADMINISTRATION & STAFFLEARNING SERVICES
Carry Aluia
Learning Specialist
Jo-Ann Figueroa
Director of Learning Services
Shiri Katz-Gershon
Hebrew Enrichment Teacher
Debbie Kopel-Kintish
LS Learning Specialist - Literacy
Judith Werner
School Counselor
Karen Bernanke
Director of Student Services
Karen Bernanke is the Director of Student Services at JCDS. She supports students with a wide variety of learning styles and differences. Karen facilitates team meetings, coordinates with parents and outside evaluators, therapy providers and physicians, develops and manages individual support plans, and meets with students K-8 to support classroom teachers. In addition, Karen assists teachers with the implementation of support plans and individual education plans generated in partnership with the public schools.
Karen has a B.A. in Psychology from Boston University and a M.Ed in Early Childhood Education as well as a Certificate in Educational Leadership from Lesley University. Karen has training in special needs advocacy and policy from the Federation for Children with Special Needs in Boston.
Director of Student Services
Karen Bernanke is the Director of Student Services at JCDS. She supports students with a wide variety of learning styles and differences. Karen facilitates team meetings, coordinates with parents and outside evaluators, therapy providers and physicians, develops and manages individual support plans, and meets with students K-8 to support classroom teachers. In addition, Karen assists teachers with the implementation of support plans and individual education plans generated in partnership with the public schools.
Karen has a B.A. in Psychology from Boston University and a M.Ed in Early Childhood Education as well as a Certificate in Educational Leadership from Lesley University. Karen has training in special needs advocacy and policy from the Federation for Children with Special Needs in Boston.
Lindsey Sherer
Social Worker
Lindsey is thrilled to be part of the JCDS community as the Social Worker. She received her B.A. in Arts and Education from Hobart and William Smith Colleges and a Master's degree in Social Work from Simmons University. Lindsey has previously worked in both public and private school settings. She partners with families, teachers and students to address the social emotional needs of the student body. When she isn't at work, Lindsey loves exercise, exploring Boston, cooking, and playing with her dog, Samson the Schnoodle.
Social Worker
Lindsey is thrilled to be part of the JCDS community as the Social Worker. She received her B.A. in Arts and Education from Hobart and William Smith Colleges and a Master's degree in Social Work from Simmons University. Lindsey has previously worked in both public and private school settings. She partners with families, teachers and students to address the social emotional needs of the student body. When she isn't at work, Lindsey loves exercise, exploring Boston, cooking, and playing with her dog, Samson the Schnoodle.
Debbie Kopel Kintish
Lower School Learning Specialist, K-4 Literacy Coach
Debbie Kopel Kintish is the Lower School Learning Specialist who works with small groups of students in and out of the classroom setting. In addition, she works with teachers to help modify and differentiate the curriculum for students.
Debbie has over 30 years of experience. She graduated from Long Island University with both a B.S. in Elementary Education and a M.S. in Special Education. She is fully certified in The Orton Gillingham Reading Approach along with several others reading approaches. Debbie is also trained in Fountas and Pinnell Assessment and Guided Reading, EmPower Writing Program, Lindamood's LiPs, Visualizing and Verbalizing, Cloud Nine Math Program, Project Read Reading Comprehension and Project Read Story Board.
Lower School Learning Specialist, K-4 Literacy Coach
Debbie Kopel Kintish is the Lower School Learning Specialist who works with small groups of students in and out of the classroom setting. In addition, she works with teachers to help modify and differentiate the curriculum for students.
Debbie has over 30 years of experience. She graduated from Long Island University with both a B.S. in Elementary Education and a M.S. in Special Education. She is fully certified in The Orton Gillingham Reading Approach along with several others reading approaches. Debbie is also trained in Fountas and Pinnell Assessment and Guided Reading, EmPower Writing Program, Lindamood's LiPs, Visualizing and Verbalizing, Cloud Nine Math Program, Project Read Reading Comprehension and Project Read Story Board.
Ilene Weiner
Middle School Learning Specialist
Ilene Weiner is the Middle School Learning Specialist who works with students individually, in small groups, and in the classroom. Additionally, Ilene oversees the Middle School Learning Center.
Ilene graduated from Tufts University with an B.A. in Economics and Psychology. She received her M.B.A. from Boston College and her M.E. at the University of Massachusetts. She graduated from the Prozdor of Hebrew College and took classes at Hebrew College. In addition, Ilene is trained in the EmPower Writing Program, and has taken courses in Language-Based Learning Disabilities, Practical Strategies for Building Reading Comprehension, Study Skills: Secondary Level, Executive Functioning, Effective Test-Making and Test-Taking for Students with LBLD, and Using Technology to Increase Comprehension.
Middle School Learning Specialist
Ilene Weiner is the Middle School Learning Specialist who works with students individually, in small groups, and in the classroom. Additionally, Ilene oversees the Middle School Learning Center.
Ilene graduated from Tufts University with an B.A. in Economics and Psychology. She received her M.B.A. from Boston College and her M.E. at the University of Massachusetts. She graduated from the Prozdor of Hebrew College and took classes at Hebrew College. In addition, Ilene is trained in the EmPower Writing Program, and has taken courses in Language-Based Learning Disabilities, Practical Strategies for Building Reading Comprehension, Study Skills: Secondary Level, Executive Functioning, Effective Test-Making and Test-Taking for Students with LBLD, and Using Technology to Increase Comprehension.
Pete Sperber, LICSW
School Social Worker
Pete Sperber received his Master's in Social Work from Salem State University. He is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who specializes in working with kids and adolescents. This is Pete's sixth year at JCDS, having previously worked at St. Ann's Home and School as a residential therapist. Prior to that he taught middle and high school mathematics at Dana Hall in Wellesley. Pete meets with students individually as well as in groups. He collaborates with administration and faculty around social/emotional issues and provides support in and out of the classroom. Pete works with students in areas including recognizing and managing emotions, establishing positive relationships, handling challenging situations, and social interactions, to name a few. Pete provides guidance to parents and facilitates outside referrals as appropriate. Pete loves working at JCDS and is happy to be part of the community!
School Social Worker
Pete Sperber received his Master's in Social Work from Salem State University. He is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who specializes in working with kids and adolescents. This is Pete's sixth year at JCDS, having previously worked at St. Ann's Home and School as a residential therapist. Prior to that he taught middle and high school mathematics at Dana Hall in Wellesley. Pete meets with students individually as well as in groups. He collaborates with administration and faculty around social/emotional issues and provides support in and out of the classroom. Pete works with students in areas including recognizing and managing emotions, establishing positive relationships, handling challenging situations, and social interactions, to name a few. Pete provides guidance to parents and facilitates outside referrals as appropriate. Pete loves working at JCDS and is happy to be part of the community!
Naomi Getto
Middle School Learning Specialist - Consultant
Naomi is thrilled to be returning to JCDS as the Middle School Learning Specialist Consultant after having spent the past 15 years in the Dallas, Texas area. She received a B.S. in Elementary Education from The State University of New York at Oneonta and a Master's degree in Special Education from The State University of New York at Albany. Naomi has been teaching middle and high school students for 20 years in both the private and public school settings. She partners with general education teachers to modify and accommodate curriculum in all areas to meet the varying needs of individual students in their classrooms. Her teaching is student centered and includes positive behavior and instructional support strategies.
Middle School Learning Specialist - Consultant
Naomi is thrilled to be returning to JCDS as the Middle School Learning Specialist Consultant after having spent the past 15 years in the Dallas, Texas area. She received a B.S. in Elementary Education from The State University of New York at Oneonta and a Master's degree in Special Education from The State University of New York at Albany. Naomi has been teaching middle and high school students for 20 years in both the private and public school settings. She partners with general education teachers to modify and accommodate curriculum in all areas to meet the varying needs of individual students in their classrooms. Her teaching is student centered and includes positive behavior and instructional support strategies.
Adva Schneider
Lower School Hebrew Support
Adva is very excited to join the JCDS staff. Adva has 10 years of experience working with elementary, middle and high school students with learning disabilities. Her specialty is Hebrew reading and writing. She completed a B.A. in Special Education at the Seminar Kibbutzim College of Education and completed an M.A. in educational intervention and learning disabilities at Beit Berl College. Adva has also studied and specialized in didactic diagnosis, and directed a private learning disabilities clinic for parents, teachers and students.
Lower School Hebrew Support
Adva is very excited to join the JCDS staff. Adva has 10 years of experience working with elementary, middle and high school students with learning disabilities. Her specialty is Hebrew reading and writing. She completed a B.A. in Special Education at the Seminar Kibbutzim College of Education and completed an M.A. in educational intervention and learning disabilities at Beit Berl College. Adva has also studied and specialized in didactic diagnosis, and directed a private learning disabilities clinic for parents, teachers and students.
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