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  > to send e-mail, click on name
  > to call, dial (336) 217-7000 and enter extension (if extension begins with a "7", it can be
        dialed directly - (336) 217-7xxx)

Glenn A. Drew, Executive Director (ext.7015)
B.A., University of Maryland; J.D., University of Miami


Dr. Gary M. Grandon, Principal (ext. 7012)
B.S. in Physics, University of Michigan; M.Ed. in Educational Evaluation and Research, Wayne State University; Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, Evaluation, and Measurement, University of Connecticut, Storrs
View Faculty Bio

Dr. Tammy K. Williams, Dean of Academics and Biology Teacher (ext. 7041)
B.S. in Secondary Science Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ; M.Ed. in Middle Grades Science Education and Ed.D. in Curriculum and Teaching Science K-12, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certificate

David Feder, Co-Dean of Jewish Life
(ext. 7030)
B.A. in Modern Society and Social Thought, University of California; Ph.D. Candidate in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies, Brandeis University

Ruth Gavish, Chair - Dean of Jewish Studies and Hebrew Teacher
(ext. 8305)
B.A., Hebrew University, Jerusalem; M.A. in Education, University of Judaism

Sara Ann Kramer, Dean of Student Life and Houseparent
(ext. 7037)
B.A. in English Education, Ithaca College; M.S.W. in Children and Youth, Boston University

Dr. David R. Mandel, Dean of Information Technology and Chief Information Officer (ext. 5001)
B.S., Purdue University; Ph.D., University of Connecticut
View Faculty Bio

Adinah Miller, Co-Dean of Jewish Life (ext. 7031)
B.A. in History, Haverford University; Ph.D. Candidate in Religious Studies, Yale University

Phil Papier, Dean of Athletics and Affiliate Houseparent (ext. 8500)
B.S. in Kinesiology, University of Maryland
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Rabbi Michael I. Gisser, Assistant Dean of Jewish Life, Jewish Studies Teacher, and Houseparent, 
(ext. 8308)
B.C. in Management, Dalhousie University; M.A. in Religion (Judaic Studies), Concordia University; Rabbinic Ordination, Ayshel Avraham Rabbinical Seminary; Ph.D. Candidate in Educational Leadership (Higher Education), Touro University International
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Michael Johnston, Assistant Athletic Director
(ext. 8501)
B.S. and M.S. in Exercise and Sport Science Studies, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
View Faculty Bio

Ruth L. Hoffman, Health Center Director
(ext. 8888)
B.A. in Microbiology, University of Connecticut; B.S. and M.S. in Nursing, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
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Alina Gerlovin Spaulding, Director of Communications
(ext. 7075)
B.S. in Psychology and B.S. in Russian Studies, Muhlenburg College; M.A. in Human Resources Development for Non-Profit and Religious Organizations, Barry University
View Faculty Bio

Dr. Sandra Tarbox, Director of College Counseling Services
(ext. 7045)
B.A. in Economics; M.A. in Higher Education, Antioch University; Ph.D. in Higher Education (Public Policy), University of Michigan

Alicia N. Wassell, Student Programming Director and Houseparent (ext. 7144)
B.A. in History, High Point University

Linda Anderson, ESOL Teacher (ext. 8404)
B.A. in History, Wellesley College; M.S. in Education, University of Southern California

Libat Aviv, Jewish Studies Teacher and Houseparent
(ext. 8308)
B.S. and M.Ed. in Educational Pedagogy, Bar Ilan University; Ph.D. Candidate in Jewish Education and Leadership (Higher Education), Yeshiva University

Deanne Brooks, Athletic Department
(ext. 8500)
B.S. and M.A. in Physical Education, Elon University; Ph.D. Candidate in Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina

Tom Christopher, English Teacher
(ext. 8411)
B.A. in Creative Writing and B.S. in Molecular Biology, University of Pittsburgh; M.F.A. in Poetry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Donna Christy, Math Teacher 
(ext. 8209)
B.S. in Mathematics and Business Administration, Greensboro College
View Faculty Bio

Pauline Cobrda, Visual and Performing Arts Teacher
(ext. 8206)
B.A. in Theater, Broward College

Rabbi Phil Cohen, Ph.D.,  Jewish Studies Teacher
(ext. 8406)
B.A., Dickinson College; Ph.D. in Near Eastern Judaic Studies, Brandeis University; Rabbinic Ordination, Hebrew Union College

Fenna Corry, Math Teacher
(ext. 8116)
B.S. in Mathematics, University of North Carolina; M.A. in Management, University of Southern Oregon
View Faculty Bio

Dr. Scott Culclasure, History Teacher
(ext. 8409)
B.A. in Social Studies, Guilford College; M.Ed. and Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Greensboro; National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certificate

Dr. Karen Dresser, Chair - Fine Arts Department and Visual Arts, Theater and Eco-Judaism Teacher (ext. 8205)
B.A. in English and Biblical/Theological Studies, Gordon College; M.Div., Wake Forest University; Ph.D. in Cultural Foundations of Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
View Faculty Bio

Abby Karp, Math Teacher (ext. 8109)
B.A. in English and Journalism, Goucher College; M.Ed. and Teaching Certification in Graduate Level Mathematics, University of North Carolina
View Faculty Bio

Dr. Steven Kee, History Teacher
(ext. 8203)
B.S. in Social Sciences, San Jose State University; M.A. in Biblical Studies, Denver Seminary; Ed.D. in Educational Administration, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
View Faculty Bio

Debra LeWinter, Drama Teacher
(ext. 8410)
B.A. in Psychology, Bryn Mawr College; M.Ed. candidate, University of North Carolina at Greensboro


Steven LeWinter, Chair - Mathematics Department and Math Teacher
(ext. 8217)
B.A. in Mathematics (Philosophy), Claremont McKenna College, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certificate
View Faculty Bio

Ziva London, Jewish Studies Teacher, Houseparent
(ext. 8307)
B.A. Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Dalerie McGinnis, Chemistry Teacher (ext. 8110)
B.A. in Chemistry and Comprehensive Secondary Science Education, Elon College; M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction (Science Education), University of North Carolina at Greensboro
View Faculty Bio

Ronit Mesika, Hebrew Teacher  (ext. 8301)
B.A. and B.S. from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Rabbi Amy Morrison, Associate Dean of Jewish Life, Jewish Studies Teacher, Houseparent
(ext. 8408)
B.A. in Sociology and Spanish, University of Michigan; Master of Hebrew Letters and Rabbinic Ordination, Hebrew Union College
View Faculty Bio

Dr. Joshua Moss, Jewish Studies Teacher, Houseparent
(ext. 8306)
B.A. in Religious Studies; M. Phil. and Ph.D., Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati
View Faculty Bio

Charles Newell,
Chair - Social Studies Department and History Teacher (ext. 8407)
B.A. in History, Campbell University; M.A. in American History (Civil War and Southern History), University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Samra Nissan, Jewish Studies (ext. 8311)
B.S. and Teaching Certificate, David Yalin Seminary - Jerusalem

Dara Nix-Stevenson, Chair - Science Department and Biology and Environmental Science Teacher
(ext. 8105)
B.S. in Biology, Bennett College; M.S. in Biology and Secondary Education, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Danny Nurafshan, Jewish Studies Teacher and Houseparent (ext. 8309)
B.A. in Middle East and Iranian Studies, Hebrew University - Jerusalem; M.A. in Contemporary Middle East Studies, Tel Aviv University

Kathy Pinyan, School Counselor (ext. 5012)
B.A. in Psychology and Philosophy and M.Ed. in Community Counseling, University of North Carolina at Greensboro; North Carolina Licensed Professional Counselor; Nationally Certified Counselor

Nancy Pitkin, Music Teacher (ext. 8410)
B.S. in Music Education, University of Connecticut

Rabbi Yosef Plotkin, Jewish Studies Teacher (ext. 8408)
Rabbinic Ordination, Rabbinical College of Canada and Central Lubavitch Yeshivah in Brooklyn

Karen Ridenhour, Librarian (ext. 3051)
B.A. in Early Childhood Education; M.Ed. in Elementary Education; M.L.S. in Library Science, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Dr. Vijaya Sankaran, Physics Teacher (ext. 8106)
B.A. and M.S., Kanpur University; Ph.D. in Physics, Vanderbilt University
View Faculty Bio

Dr. Edwar Shamshoum, Physics Teacher (ext. 8218)
B.S. in Biology/Chemistry, Averett University; M.S. in Organic Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro; Ph.D. in Chemistry, Texas A&M University

April Simmons, Health and Physical Education Teacher
(ext. 8502)
B.S. in Exercise and Sport Science - Physical Education (Sociology), University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Dr. Richard Smith, Chair - English Department and English Teacher (ext. 8400)
B.A. in English Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; M.F.A. in Creative Writing, Ed.D. in Curriculum and Teaching, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Dariusz Szajnert, Social Studies Teacher (ext. 7143)
B.A. History (Secondary Education), University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Michal Soker, Hebrew Teacher (ext. 8302)
B.S. and B.Ed. in Biology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem; M.S. in Medical Sciences, Israel Institute of Technology

Matthew Tuttle, Chief Technology Officer (ext. 5002)
B.S. in Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Greensboro


  > to send e-mail, click on name
  > to call, dial (336) 217-7000 and enter extension (if extension begins with a "7", it can be
        dialed directly - (336) 217-7xxx)


The Academy Fellowship program provides entry level positions to recent college graduates who are mentored in our resident life and academic programs while serving our students.

Danielle Aaronson, AHA Fellow (ext. 7036)
University of Pittsburgh

Jared Baker, AHA Fellow - 2nd Year
(ext. 7117)
Ohio State University

Brittany Fishman, AHA Fellow (ext. 7105)
Vanderbilt University

Kelly Kossar, AHA Fellow (ext. 7107)
Binghamton University

Orrin Krublit, AHA Fellow (ext. 7108)
University of Florida

Aaron Manassa, AHA Fellow (ext. 7115)
Ohio University

Andrew Pais, AHA Fellow (ext. 7106)
Vanderbilt University

Tori Sundheim, AHA Fellow (ext. 7112)
Emory University

Nathan Vaughan, AHA Fellow (ext. 7121)
University of Louisville

Miriam Whatley, AHA Fellow - 2nd Year (ext. 7139)
Boston University

Danielle Weinberg, AHA Fellow (ext. 7104)
University of Michigan and IDC, Israel

 

Karen Dresser, Fine Arts Department and Visual Arts, Theater and Eco-Judaism Teacher
Faculty Snapshot
 

cid:X.MA1.1186276574@aol.com

Karen Dresser, Chair of Fine Arts Department Visual Arts, Theater and Eco-Judaism Teacher

Karen's theatrical and artistic interests are varied. She is the former creator and Artistic Director of L’Chaim Productions Jewish Theatre Company (currently in hiatus). She has played such roles as Golda in Fiddler on the Roof (3 times!), Cordelia in Falsettos, Pfeni in The Sisters Rosensweig, Grandma in Mamaleh! and Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors. She is a freelance writer, poet, playwright and artist, and has won awards and grants in each discipline. In addition, she is an award-winning textile artist specializing in quilted ritual garments (tallitot, ministerial stoles, meditation capes), banners, Torah covers, chuppot, etc.

In addition to teaching at The Academy, she teaches Torah texts and chanting at Temple Emanuel, and pursues a PhD. Her academic interests are in: 1) post-Holocaust theology, philosophy and art (particularly by women); 2) Eco-feminist/Jewish studies that suggest an active restoration of a more feminine, compassionate, embodied attitude towards care for both the earth and humanity; 3) the writings of Jewish French-Algerian Helene Cixous, a philosopher, poet, playwright, essayist and more. Karen has a talented son, recording engineer and singer/songwriter Gabriel Godwin, who records under the name of Rana Vasa.

Karen is now writing and presenting academic papers at various educational conferences. She is a member of The American Educational Studies Association, The American Educational Research Association, The Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education, and The National Association of Temple Educators. She is delighted to be teaching with the talented and caring faculty and students at the American Hebrew Academy, and hopes to be doing so for many years to come.
 

 

 

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