FACULTY: GENERAL STUDIES
Mrs. Chana Rochel Schachter
Mrs. Schachter graduated from Touro College with a B.A. in Psychology. She received a M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Western Maryland and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Mrs. Schachter has taught Judaic Studies and General Studies in schools, to a variety of levels for over 20 years. Most recently, Mrs. Schachter has worked on coordinating curricula and mentoring teachers in Halacha, Yahadus, and Science Bais Yaakov of Baltimore’s Middle School. Mrs. Schachter teaches undergraduate courses in the field of Educational Methodology at Womens’ Institute of Torah (Maalot).
Mrs. Ruchama Leah Berkowitz - Topics in American Democracy 10, U.S. History and Gov’t 11
Mrs. Ruchama Leah Berkowitz earned a NYS Regents diploma with honors and received a teaching certificate from Mesores Rochel Seminary in Yerushalayim. She taught English Language Arts, U.S. History and Government, and Holocaust Studies for nearly ten years in New York and New Jersey, including Common Core and Regents’ Curricula. Mrs. Berkowitz offers her students opportunities to think critically and develop a deeper understanding of current events and politics. This will be Mrs. Berkowitz’s third year at Bais Yaakov High School of the Twin Cities.
Mrs. Chasida Fertel - Geometry Basic 11, College Math/Electives 12
Mrs. Fertel received her undergraduate degree in individualized studies through UMBC. Her degree combined educational, psychology, and entrepreneurship. She has worked with third-graders in Bais Yaakov of Baltimore, as well as fourth and fifth grade at Torah Academy. She is also starting her Master’s Degree in Educational Therapy. This will be Mrs. Fertel’s first year at Bais Yaakov.
Mrs. Betsy Israelson - Algebra 1 Basic 9, Algebra 1B Basic 10
Mrs. Israelson received her B.S. from the University of North Dakota. She has degrees in both Elementary Education and Mathematics. Mrs Israelson has taught in public schools in Texas and California. She has also taught at the Talmud Torah of St. Paul. Mrs. Israelson has worked with students struggling in math, to strengthen their math skills. This is Mrs. Israelson’s second year at Bais Yaakov, she is teaching both 9th Grade and 10th Grade.
Mrs. Heather Klassen - Biology 9/10, Anatomy and Physiology 11/12, Lab Coordinator
Mrs. Klassen earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Manitoba and completed her MN teaching licensure coursework at Hamline University in St. Paul. Currently, Mrs. Klassen is working on her Master’s degree in Biological Science at Clemson University. She holds MN teaching licenses in 9-12 Life Science and 9-12 Earth Science. Prior to working at Bais Yaakov, Mrs. Klassen taught Biology at Minnetonka High School. She has also worked as a research and teaching assistant in various zoology labs at the University of Manitoba. This is her fifth year at Bais Yaakov.
Mrs. Malky Mayer - Algebra 1H
Mrs. Mayer received her teaching diploma from Hadar Bais Yaakov in Jerusalem, Israel. She has taught History, Science, Math (Regent’s curriculum), Megilla, Lashon, Novi and Chumash in many schools in New York and New Jersey, and for 16 years at Bais Yaakov of the Twin Cities. Mrs. Mayer has vast experience successfully supporting students in strengthening math skills. Mrs. Mayer also runs the Business Office at Bais Yaakov.
Mrs. Julie North - Geography 9, World History 12, Reading Support Specialist
Mrs. North earned her BS and Master’s degrees in social studies education from the University of Minnesota and her reading license from Hamline University. Mrs. North joined the Bais Yaakov staff one year ago, after previously teaching for 33 years at St. Anthony Middle School in St. Anthony, MN.
Mrs. Marina Ochs - Algebra II Honors 10, Geometry Honors 11
Mrs. Ochs attended Ulpana as an undergraduate and the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel for graduate studies. She has taught math, computer science, lashon and special education. This is her eighth year teaching at Bais Yaakov.
Mrs. Bashie Rothstein - Student Support
Mrs. Rothstein earned her Masters in special education through Mercy College in Brooklyn, NY. She has taught self contained elementary age classes for 5 years in the NY/ NJ area. With her move to Minnesota, Mrs. Rothstein transitioned to teach regular education Judiac classes at Torah Academy. Mrs. Rothstein feels fortunate to work 1:1 with Bais Yaakov students skillbuilding in the area of Executive Functioning skills, to allow their high school years to be most productive and accomplishing.
Mrs. Avigail Rudnick - English 9,10,11,12
Mrs. Avigail Rudnick began her teaching career at BYTC as an intern teaching kodesh subjects in 2004-5. Mrs. Rudnick holds a teaching certificate from Bnos Chava Seminary. She holds a masters degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Cincinnati, and has completed postgraduate coursework at the University of Northern Colorado in the area of special education administration. This will be Mrs. Rudnick's second year at BYTC.
Mrs. Ruthie Teverovskiy - Student Support
Mrs. Teverovskiy began her informal tutoring career at the age of 15, and she obtained her degree in Special Education from Blitstein Institute in Chicago (now Touro College) in 2014. Over the years, Mrs. Teverovskiy worked in a variety of academic settings, which gave her the necessary skills to connect with students of all abilities. She has taught in her own classroom at Cheder Lubavitch Girls School in Chicago, and worked with students in the (former) Sha'arim room at Torah Academy. She has many experiences tutoring students after school. Mrs. Teverovskiy has spent many years analyzing and supporting students' academic needs so that they can have the skills and confidence they need to succeed.