Governance

Akiba-Schechter has the superb leadership of the following professional educators. In addition to the professional leadership, Akiba is privileged to have an active volunteer board of directors.

Mrs. Miriam Schiller, Principal
Miriam Schiller has been the principal at Akiba-Schechter since 1988. Mrs. Schiller has a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and Special Education Certification from University of Illinois at Chicago, and a Masters in School Administration from Loyola University. Mrs. Schiller taught at several suburban public schools, teaching 2-year-olds in early-childhood programs to 8th graders, and all ages in between. Mrs. Schiller has worked with students in both mainstream and special education classrooms, and has also taught Sunday school. In addition to her responsibilities as Principal, Mrs. Schiller teaches Reading in the 1st and 2nd grade class.

You can reach Mrs. Schiller directly at 773.493.8880, ext. 212 or by email at principalakibaschechter.org.

Carla Goldberg, Pre-School Director
Carla Goldberg has been the Akiba-Schechter Pre-School Director since 2001, and is only the second Pre-School Director in the School's history. Carla started at Akiba in 1991 as a teacher, and has since taught in the 1st & 2nd grade, Kindergarten, 3 and 4 year-olds, Ready!Set!Go!, and Parent/Tot. Carla's experience teaching the range of early childhood years as well as in the grade school is evident in the thoughtful care Akiba places on easing children's transitions from one year to the next. Carla's first love is teaching, and she continues to teach in the Parent/Tot class.

Carla Goldberg has a BA in Early Childhood Education from the University of Massachusetts, and a Masters in Early Childhood Education for Leadership and Advocacy from National Louis University. Carla has taught Sunday school at Sinai Congregation and was the Early Childhood Educational Coordinator at Congregation Rodfei Zedek. In 2000 Carla was honored with the prestigious Kohl/McCormick Early Childhood Teaching Award. In 2001 Carla was named one of the 10 Chicagoans of the Year by Chicago Jewish News.

You can reach Carla Goldberg directly at 773.493.8880, ext. 290 or by email at preschooldirectorakibaschechter.org.

Jill Beigel, Associate Pre-School Director
Jill Beigel has been teaching at Akiba-Schechter since 1996 and became Associate Pre-School Director in 2002. Jill teaches in the Purple Kindergarten and is actively involved with all teachers in the Pre-School as she coordinates many of the staff development seminars. Jill has a Master Degree in Elementary Education from National Louis University, and in an earlier career was a department manager at Bloomingdale's. Jill's background in visual display can be seen in the Kindergarten classroom and on the bulletin boards around Akiba. In 2002 Jill was a finalist for the Kohl/ McCormick Early Childhood Teaching Award.

You can reach Jill Beigel directly at 773.493.8880, ext. 291.

Rabbi Jeff Holman, Director of Judaic Studies
Rabbi Holman challenge students to think critically when analyzing a text and to support their ideas with proofs. He fosters a love of learning through pride and accomplishment.

Rabbi Holman is a graduate of Ida Crown Jewish Academy for High School. At Yeshiva University he earned a B.A. in Computer Science, an M.A. in Jewish Education, and rabbinic ordination. Rabbi Holman worked at Akiba from 1994-1996. In the years between he taught at the Bi-Cultural Day School in Stamford, Connecticut.

Board of Directors

The Akiba-Schechter Board of Directors acts on behalf of the School's constituents, including students, parents, and donors. The Board of Directors does not intervene in the daily affairs of the School, such as curriculum development, and hiring/evaluation/firing of faculty and staff. Instead, the Board focuses on four areas critical to the success of any independent school:

The policies that are most important for the Akiba-Schechter Board to develop and oversee are:

Board members accomplish their function through regular meetings and by establishing a committee structure. By attending Board meetings each member of the Board plays a central role in helping the Board fulfill its mandate.

The Akiba-Schechter Board is made up of current parents from both the Pre-School and the Day School, Parents of Alumni, Alumni, and Community members. Members are elected to a two-year term at the Annual Meeting of the Membership in late Spring. Officers of the Board are elected by the Board and serve for a one-year term.

2007-2008 Board of Directors
Annette Gendler, President
Alexandra Lee Hobaugh, Vice-President for Communications
Miriam Kass, Vice-President for Development
Larry Goldstein, Vice-President of Technology
David Given, Treasurer
Larry White, Secretary
Neil Stempel, Chair-Building Committee
Lee Bloom
Alona Bin-Nun
Rabbi Yossi Brackman
Holly Raider Burt
Avy Dachman
Rabbi Elliot Gertel
Douglas Glick
Sherry Glick
Stacey Gordon
Rebecca Klaff
Matthew Klionsky
Sara Segal Loevy
Stephen Molasky
Tzvi Ray
Nancy Schankerman
Sarah-Anne Schumann
Mark Shapiro
Michael Shapiro
Devorah Worch

Staff Members

In addition to the Board of Directors, a professional staff supports Akiba's leadership in daily operations.

Robin Lisak, Controller
Ronald Lisak, Building Engineer
Dawn Loeb, Development Staff
Millie Miller, School Secretary, a.k.a. School Matriarch
Cornell Tyler, Maintenance Supervisor


Modified: Last Modified:April 14, 2008. 17:16:32 pm

I am privileged to be the Principal of a place as magical as Akiba-Schechter. At Akiba, we strive to reach every child and help him or her find his or her potential. Our School is a dynamic place where children find their own voices through individualized, child-centered work. Multi-age classrooms, ability grouping and all-school projects are just a few of the ways we ensure this.

-Miriam Schiller, Principal

I am committed to assuring our child-centered philosophy is conveyed throughout the program. I enjoy working with teachers, helping them feel empowered to be active learners just as they encourage their students to be active learners.

- Carla Goldberg, Pre-School Director

I believe curricula should be child-centered, and one of the many ways I make this happen is by soliciting project suggestions and ideas from children. I also work with other teachers to exchange ideas and best practices to create the best possible pre-school experience for our students.

- Jill Beigel, Associate Pre-School Director