Without Walls 2011-2012 Course List & Registration

Karen Kruger, M.S. is the new Director of Education at Hidden Sparks. Previously, she served as Hidden Sparks’ Internal Coach Program (ICP) School based mentor, a regional facilitator and the lead trainer for No Child Left Behind funded workshops. She also mentored middle school teachers and administrator for the NYC Department of Education. Prior to this, Ms Kruger served as a field facilitator and course instructor for ‘Schools Attuned’, teaching courses offered by “All Kinds of Minds”, developing curricula for workshops, and mentoring and supervising teachers in grades K-12. A former adjunct professor at Bank Street College of Education where she received her Master’s degree, Ms. Kruger has taught in elementary and middle schools from Kindergarten through 8th grade.

Faigy Ravitz, Technology Integration Specialist at The Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education of the Gruss Foundation, is a certified master trainer in SMART software and presenter at technology and education workshops for yeshivas and Jewish day schools. Recognized by SMART Technologies as a SMART Exemplary Educator for her innovative and creative use of Notebook software, Ms. Ravitz specializes in technology integration as a tool to enhance teaching and learning. She received her teaching certificate from Beth Jacob Teachers Seminary in Brooklyn, and has spent nearly two decades as a classroom teacher.

Rona Milch Novick, PhD, Co-Educational Director, Hidden Sparks, directs the Fanya Gottesfeld Heller Doctoral Program in Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University. She also serves as an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. For many years, Dr. Novick was Coordinator of Child Psychology in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Schneider Children’s Hospital and Clinical Director of the Alliance for School Mental Health, providing outreach services, treatment and training to schools, families and communities. She developed the BRAVE bully prevention program and is a trained cognitive behavior therapist with her own private practice. As a one of two educational directors for Hidden Sparks, Dr. Novick is involved at a leadership level in Hidden Sparks programs an growth, and provides training and mentoring to Hidden Sparks coaches, principals and Internal Coaches.

Hadassah (Dassi) Berg, Ed.D a literacy specialist in private practice, provides teacher training in literacy to schools and organizations. She also serves as an adjunct professor at Mercy College and as a consultant, program developer and adjunct professor at Daemen College. Previously, Dr. Berg worked in the New York City Public Schools as a special education teacher and staff developer. Dr. Berg earned her master’s degree and doctorate degree in special education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and is certified in school administration and supervision.

Zipora Schuck, MA, MS, founded Pathways Consulting Services LLC, an agency that provides professional development trainings to teachers, principals, therapists and parents. Mrs. Schuck also serves as adjunct faculty member at Mercy College and is a NYS Certified School Psychologist holding a Masters Degrees in Special Education and School Psychology. Previously, Mrs. Schuck was a classroom teacher at P.S. 192 in Brooklyn. She later assumed the position of Director of the Learning Center at the Bais Rochel School, and currently serves as a bi-weekly educational consultant for the Avir Yaakov Girls School, Bnos Yisroel School, Bais Malka School, Bais Shifra Miriam and UTA.

Karen Kruger, M.S. is the new Director of Education at Hidden Sparks. Previously, she served as Hidden Sparks’ Internal Coach Program (ICP) School based mentor, a regional facilitator and the lead trainer for No Child Left Behind funded workshops. She also mentored middle school teachers and administrator for the NYC Department of Education. Prior to this, Ms Kruger served as a field facilitator and course instructor for ‘Schools Attuned’, teaching courses offered by “All Kinds of Minds”, developing curricula for workshops, and mentoring and supervising teachers in grades K-12. A former adjunct professor at Bank Street College of Education where she received her Master’s degree, Ms. Kruger has taught in elementary and middle schools from Kindergarten through 8th grade.