26 | MAY 19 • 2022

Bortnick is an amazing teacher,” said one
parent. “She goes above and beyond to help
students. She will investigate the ways to
adapt techniques that engage the students.
She is patient and has a sense of humor.”

LAUREN STERLING,
HILLEL DAY SCHOOL
Lauren Sterling teaches English
at Hillel Day School. “She is
able to approach students with
kindness and Humor. She fol-
lows through when a student is having dif-
ficulty and adjusts the curriculum,” said
one parent.

ADINA LEVIN, HILLEL DAY
SCHOOL
Adina Levin teaches first-
grade Hebrew at Hillel. “
All
three of my children were
blessed to learn Hebrew from
Morah Levin. She teaches with such love
and patience that even my most reluctant
Hebrew learner enjoyed his time with her,”
said one parent.

NICK PORTERFIELD,
HILLEL DAY SCHOOL
Nick Porterfield, who teaches
fifth grade at Hillel, was nom-
inated by one of his 11-year-
old students, who said Mr.
Porterfield “really gets what it’s like to be
a kid.” He added that his “empathy about
how hard, boring or stressful school can
be” help motivate him to work hard and
succeed in class.

DEVRA GOLDBERG,
NORUP ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
Devra Goldberg is a third-
grade teacher at Norup
Elementary School in Oak
Park. She was nominated by a parent who
volunteered in her classroom and saw her
in action. “She is awesome in the way she
can control the class without ever raising
her voice or criticizing any student other
than very mildly. She is very loving toward
her students,” she said.

HIGH SCHOOL

WINNER: ERIC RAPP
,
FRANKEL JEWISH
ACADEMY
Eric Rapp is the Mathematics
Department Chair at FJA,
where you can often find him
quietly working in his classroom while most
of the students are still asleep. One of Mr.
Rapp’s colleagues recently wrote of him,
“Mr. Rapp is the cornerstone of this entire
institution. Over the years, he has touched
the lives of countless students. He raises the
bar for teachers and leaders, holding his
students accountable with high expectations
but always making sure they’re supported to
reach those expectations.
”
Mr. Rapp is also known for implementing
silly yet meaningful community building
activities with his students just to show how
much he cares about them.
He has inspired many students who pre-
viously disliked math to go on to careers in
fields where math is paramount. The bonds
he creates with students last well beyond
graduation. Years later, he still meets with a
group of past students to see the latest Star
Wars movie whenever a new one is released.
According to FJA Principal Erika Weiler,
“Everything he does is guided by what is
best for the students of FJA. Eric is always
researching ways to elevate and expand the
offerings that are available to our students.
Eric cares so much about the FJA students
that he tries to keep track of and in touch
with as many FJA alumni as possible. Eric
Rapp provides the absolute best experience
and support for students.
”
Added Rabbi Azaryah Cohen, FJA Head
of School, “Eric is the teacher any parent
would want for their kids, the colleague
any teacher would want to work with, the
professional any organization would cherish
and the person every student would aspire
to emulate.
”

HONORABLE MENTIONS

REBECCA STROBEHN,
FRANKEL JEWISH
ACADEMY
Rebecca Strobehn is a Jewish
Studies teacher at Frankel
Jewish Academy. “Her enthu-
siasm, not just for Jewish Studies, but for

using Jewish Studies to help students explore
aspects of their own beliefs and identities
that they may not have considered is inspir-
ing,
” said one of her colleagues. “She lives
her life modeling for students the value
added of these important Jewish institutions
to the community.
”

HADASS KIDRON,
FRANKEL JEWISH
ACADEMY
“When I started at FJA, coming
from public school, I was very
nervous about taking Hebrew
at a high school level,
” said the student who
nominated her. “From the beginning, Morah
Kidron did everything she could to make
sure we were learning, and I was confident.
She works with each student individually
and really cares for each person!”

IRA GOLDBERG, BERKLEY
HIGH SCHOOL
Ira Goldberg teaches at Berkley
High School in the Social
Sciences Department, working
with students taking Advanced
Placement classes. “Ira brings a sense of
dedication to his work and is always there
for his students and their families to help
ensure a successful educational experience,
”
a colleague said. “Ira represents the best in
our educational system, and we are proud to
call him our own.
”

LINDSEY RUBIN,
LAKELAND HIGH SCHOOL
Lindsay Rubin teaches business
and marketing at Lakeland
High School in White Lake,
where she is also the junior
class sponsor and DECA advisor. DECA is
a business club/competition that brings the
classroom experience to life. Recently she
had about 100 students at the county level of
competition. Of those, nearly 50 went on to
compete at the state level of competition. Of
those, she took 25 for national competition
in Atlanta, Georgia. She has received numer-
ous accolades from former students who
credit her with their success in the business
world.

OUR COMMUNITY

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