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

continued from page 24

