What You Need to Know About TABC’s New Faculty

Fourteen. This number represents the faculty members that TABC hired in 2018. Who are these new faculty members and what do they think of our school? I decided to conduct several interviews to find out.

These newbies had a lot to say.

When I asked them how their TABC experience has been going so far, all of them said that it’s been “great.” Literally, everyone responded with that exact word: “great.”

Science teacher Ken Dietz mentioned that he’s been impressed with his student’s gratitude for his teaching - he was made to feel “very proud” that students say “thank you” before they leave class.

Director of Student Activities Yitzchak Rabovsky went far enough to say that it’s been “splendid.” It seems Rabovsky is really enjoying his TABC experience.

English teacher Michael McGoldrick said that it’s been a very “hectic” year for him, but fortunately still successful.

Most teachers agreed that they’ve been impressed with their students’ eagerness to learn in a very active way.

I also was interested to learn more about how these teachers’ current students differ from students they’ve taught in the past. I was given a wide variety of answers, each unique in its own right.

English teacher Enid Goldberg noted that she had only taught at an all-girls school in the past. Coming to an all-boys school, she found our energy level to be “very spirited.” She wasn’t used to this because, apparently, girls are calmer than boys.

Limudei Kodesh Rabbi Zev Reichman observed that this is his first time teaching in a high school, as he has in the past and currently teaches at Yeshiva University. Therefore, he was unable to make a strong comparison.

Reichman did note, however, that college students tend to be more mature than high school students and are able to maintain a higher level of focus.

I also wanted to delve into the lives of these faculty members to see if anything had changed when they joined the TABC family.

Their responses most often touched on the length of their commute. Director of Teaching and Learning Michael Bitton answer was of special note, since he comes to Teaneck from Lakewood, an hour-and-twenty minute drive. Luckily for him, the morning traffic isn’t too bad.

STEM Coordinator Aryeh Tiefenbrunn observed that his son was born on the first day of school, so his experience here really was a new beginning for him. He had to deal with both his newborn and his new students. We hope to see his son in school some day.

What do our new recruits think about the school's academics?

Executive Director Michael Grad had no response, and for good reason. He doesn’t teach a class.

Similarly, Rabovsky had nothing to say. “Not my department,” he answered.

Limudei Kodesh teacher and Assistant of Student Activities Director Ezra Stone stated that the courses at our school are “rigorous” and “up-to-date.” He particularly mentioned the advanced Makerspace.

What was difficult for these teachers to adapt to coming to TABC?

McGoldrick found the test schedule to be different than what he was used to, though he felt it was organized.

Speaking of schedule, Dietz said he had trouble memorizing the different schedules, classes and classrooms everyday. To this day, he still hasn’t memorized all of it.

Tiefenbrunn lacked the tools he needed to teach his classes while the MakerSpace was still being built. Until it was finished, he was required to teach in a cramped classroom.

Hebrew teacher Hemda Cohen said that there was nothing in particular that was difficult for her to adjust to. She commended Kenneth Harris, Director of Information Technology, for all his help.

What do our new teachers think is unique about TABC?

McGoldrick, a religious Catholic, praised TABC for its religious environment and values. He believes it creates a “higher degree of intensity” in the school.

Reichmann expressed a thought similar to McGoldrick’s, but from a Jewish perspective. He said he believes TABC really celebrates Judaism; he referred to his as a “great achievement.”

Goldberg sees the uniqueness in the school’s effort to reach all students’ individual needs. “Every student is valued,” she commented.

As an example of this point, Goldberg cited the school’s learning center. Whether it’s going to Dr. Master to work on an essay, entering Ms. Hoenig’s office for help on a complicated math word problem, or even needing a place to work in a quiet setting, TABC ensures that all students are assisted.

Bitton mentioned the warmth of our teachers and the strong bond they have with their students: “Every student has a connection with a teacher…[there are] no negative altercations,” he said. It gives him great pride to see boys learning in the Beis Medrash with their Rebbis.

Were there any unexpected surprises for these new faculty members?

Reichmann said he was surprised that periods only lasted 40 minutes. In the past, Reichmann would have hours upon hours to teach Gemara; at TABC, it’s only an hour and twenty minutes.

Even Rabbi Stone, himself a graduate of the school, had an unexpected surprise when he came back as a teacher. Stone said he was surprised to see the “[number of] guys learning in the Beit” was a lot more than he expected.

My final question for our newbies: What about TABC inspires them?

Limudei Kodesh Rabbi Jake Berman said he was inspired by the number of students who spend time learning.

Stone said he was inspired by “the effort [the] students put in to learn.”

Cohen said he was inspired by the Israel Advocacy Club that takes place during breakfast. She described it as “yearning to learn about Israel.”

Dietz said he was inspired by many things, some of which included the students’ intensity in their studies, their focus on success, and the level of chesed (good deeds) they do.

Bitton said he is most inspired by how much the faculty care about the school: “[They] always want [the] school to get better.”

It was very nice to have the opportunity to meet these teachers. I would like to thank them for the time they took out of their busy lives to allow me to interview them.

When I see them in the hallways now, they seem to know who I am and I no longer see them as being new. I really learned a lot from them and their feelings about TABC. Welcome!