Kindergarten

Jenny Krzykwa, Kindergarten General Studies Teacher (BS in Elementary Ed., St. Cloud State Univ.; MA in Classroom Instruction and a K-12 Reading Endorsement, Concordia Univ.), is beginning her eighth fabulous year on the kindergarten team. Jenny enjoys attending workshops, classes and observing in other schools to gather new ideas and approaches to learning that she can then use in her own classroom. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends, baking, playing games (including occasional bingo nights), traveling, being crafty, and continuing her study of sign language.

Leah Rusakov, Kindergarten General Studies Teacher (BA in Elementary Ed., Moscow State Univ.; Minn. K-6 teacher’s license), has been working with preschool and lower elementary school students in a few different countries for more than ten years, but the beginning of the new school year is always exciting! This is her eighth year at HMJDS. Having spent four years in Israel, Leah always brings that spirit and love of Israel into her teaching. Currently Leah is also studying in grad school to become a reading specialist. In her spare time Leah likes rollerblading, traveling, camping, and down-hill skiing with her two daughters.

Barbara Taragan, Kindergarten Hebrew Teacher (BA in Child Psychology and Elementary Ed., Univ. of Minn.; BA in English Literature from the Ben Gurion Univ.; MA in Jewish Studies from Gratz College), is beginning her twentieth year at the Day School, including a sabbatical in 2005-06 in which she participated in the Senior Educators Program at the Melton Centre at the Hebrew University. Barbara lived in Israel for twenty-five years, where she taught English at the Eshel Hanasi High School. Since returning to the United States, Barbara has been teaching at the Day School and the Minneapolis Talmud Torah. She is the proud parent of three children-Maayan, Afek, and Yamit and proud savta (“ta”) to Gal and Elah.

Julie Ziessman, Kindergarten Special Assignment/Test Administrator (BS in Elementary Ed., minor in Political Science, Univ. of Wisconsin), is beginning her twelfth year at HMJDS. Julie started her career at HMJDS teaching fifth grade and she has been a member of the Kindergarten Team for the past ten years. This year Julie is looking forward to continuing to provide instructional support to both kindergarten classrooms. Her role on the Admissions Team includes working with students and their families during the screening process, and facilitating HMJDS’s Taste of Kindergarten and Pre-School Story Time Express outreach programs. This year she is very excited about HMJDS’s second year in partnering with the PJ Library for many Preschool Story Time Express Programs! In her spare time, Julie likes to spend time with family and friends. She loves to travel, and has visited many places in the U.S. as well as Mexico, Honduras, Belize, Israel, Morocco, and Russia. Julie is the proud parent of Emily, and Zoe.