Yoni Binus, Head of School (BA in History, Boston university; M.ED in counseling, Boston University, School of Education), is beginning his fourth year at the Day School and his third as Upper School Director. He has also completed his training from the Day School Leadership Training Institute (DSLTI) an AVI CHAI Foundation program at Jewish Theological Seminary preparing aspiring leaders for Jewish Day School. He came to HMJDS as Upper School Counselor after three years as a high school counselor at The Webb Schools, an independent boarding school in Southern California. Prior to working in California, Yoni was a Residence Director at Boston University where he oversaw and managed a dorm of six hundred undergraduate students, a faculty-in-residence, and a team of Resident Assistants. His experience and knowledge in the field of human development along with his work in diverse academic settings bring a foundational perspective on preparing students for their world beyond the Day School.
Helen Siegel, Associate Head of School (BA and MSEd, Queens College, City University of New York), is beginning her twenty-third year at the Day School. She has enjoyed a wide range of teaching experiences in three different states, including over 14 years in public education in New York City. She has taught ESL, Spanish, junior high school English, and more. Always involved in Jewish education as a supplementary school Hebrew and Sunday school teacher, Helen joined the Day School faculty as an opportunity to integrate general education with Hebrew and Jewish studies. At the Day School Helen served as a third grade teacher and Division Coordinator for grades 3-6, and now begins her tenth year as a Day School administrator. She has served on an accreditation team for ISACS and is a member of the JCRC’s Speakers Bureau, educating the broader community about the Holocaust. As a master/mentor teacher for adult distance learners, she worked with local Jewish educators in the Gratz College Covenant Foundation’s Jewish Education Certificate program. She completed the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Principal’s Institute in the summer of 2005, studied in the Nishma and Na’aseh professional development seminar on prayer in 2007-08, and participated in subsequent learning circles on prayer in 2008-09. In addition, she participated in a JCES-sponsored seminar on mentorship during the 2008-2009 school year. As a trained Asset Champion and current member of the executive board for St. Louis Park’s Children First initiative, she is a liaison to the wider community in her support of all students. She looks forward to another exciting year working with the students, families, and faculty in the outstanding program at the Day School.