7th & 8th Grade

Kade Agan, Spanish Teacher (BA Spanish Studies and Journalism, University of Minnesota), is happy to be back at HMDS for her second year of teaching through Futura Language Professionals. Kade has traveled extensively through Latin America and lived in Spain. She now enjoys the opportunity to share her interest in the Spanish language with students of various ages here at the Day School.

Elly Becker, Grades 7-8 Social Studies Teacher (BA in Judaic Studies and BS in Elementary Ed., University of Minnesota; graduate coursework in building classroom communities and middle school education at Hamline University), is entering her 22nd year at the Day School. Elly lived in Israel for five years and considers the experience formative in shaping her outlook and values. She loves to travel, meet people and enjoy new adventures. Elly has visited 41 and a half states and has her sights set on the remaining 8 and a half. She has a passion for the political process and has worked as a volunteer on a number of local and national races.

Tim Broms, Grades 7-8 Math Teacher; Math Masters & Math Team See Grades Five and Six for full biography.

Damon Brook, Grades 7-8 Language Arts Teacher (BFA Theatre with an emphasis on acting, University of Minnesota Duluth, coursework completed for Communication Arts/Literature Licensure at Hamline University, coursework toward MA in teaching at Hamline University), is thrilled to begin his first year as a full time teacher at HMJDS. After college, Damon worked as an acting teacher, speech coach, camp counselor, religious school teacher and K-12 classroom assistant. During this time he decided that education was the way to go and began his graduate work at Hamline. Damon isn’t a new face around HMJDS, however, he taught a theatre elective during the ’10-’11 school year and worked just down the hall at the Sabes JCC for the last three and a half years. Damon lives in Minneapolis with his partner Eve and enjoys biking, listening to and making fun of MPR, eating well, baseball and almost any genre of film, as long as it’s good.

Davida Cytron, Grades 7-8 Math Teacher, (BA in History and Hebrew, University of Wisconsin, Madison; MA in Early Adolescent Education, Bank Street College of Education), is excited to be back for her fourth year at the day school, and is thrilled to have both her children join her at HMJDS this year. Prior to coming to the day school, Davida taught fourth grade at Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School in Chicago. In her spare time, Davida enjoys reading, doing yoga and cooking.

Rabbi Danny Ettedgui, Grade 7 Judaics Teacher See Grades Five and Six for full biography.

Saleit Faleschini, Grades 7-8 Hebrew Teacher(bachelor’s degree in art at the Accadmia Delle Bella Arte in Florence), is beginning her first year at HMJDS. She has been teaching Hebrew for the last four years, notably at Bet Shalom, Shir Tikva, HMJDS and Talmud Torah. Saleit was Born and raised in Israel and served in the Israeli Defense force as a drill sergeant for two years. After living in Italy for three years to attend school, Saleit moved to the US with her husband and child Lahave in 2008. Her second son Liam was born in June 2010. Saleit has been teaching Hebrew ever since she moved to the United States. She loves working with kids and teaching them the Hebrew Language, seeing it as her goal in life.

Rani Halpern, Grades 7-8 Visual Art Teacher (BA, University of Michigan, Masters degree, Washington University), brings extensive experience teaching visual arts at the Twin Cities Jewish Middle School. She is a well-known local freelance artist specializing in ketubot and papercutting. She was a finalist for a Bush Artist Fellowship this year.

Steve Mintz, Grades 7-8 Science (BS in Elementary Education with a concentration in Jewish Studies, University of Minnesota), enthusiastically joins the HMJDS staff continuing his more than 20 year career in both formal and informal education. Steve taught third through eighth grade, all subjects, during 11 years at The Tesseract School in Eagan, prior to becoming Herzl Camp’s director for 6 years. Over the past 8 years, Steve worked as a curriculum writer, workshop facilitator, and educational consultant, helping schools develop vibrant and effective learning cultures. He is also the Head Coach of Afton Alps’ alpine racing development ski team and SMP Coordinator at Adath Jeshurun. Steve enjoys playing guitar, Israeli folk-dancing, skiing, and spending time with his wife and kids.

Beverly Moore, Grades 7-8 Math Teacher See Grade Five and Six for full biography.

Rabbi Ben Shlimovitz, Upper School Rabbinics and Judaics Teacher See Grades Five and Six for full biography.

Hector Sztainer, Grades 7-8 Hebrew Teacher See Specialists for full biography.