Specialist Team

Jesse Jacobson, Physical Education Teacher (BS in K-12 Physical Education, St. Cloud State University and MA in Educational Leadership, Concordia St. Paul), is very excited to be back for his fourth year on the specialists team.  He brings a variety of learning techniques for both sports and life skills that students can use throughout their time here at HMJDS.  He has a passion for activity and healthy living that is present in his day to day working with the students.  He has worked in Elk River and in the Anoka-Hennepin and Osseo school districts.  He has extensive experience working with a broad range of special needs students which has helped him to understand student’s needs and student success.  Jesse lives in Elk River with his wife Lisa and their three children, Lucas, Joey and Kelsie.

Kelly Lindquist, Physical Education Teacher (BS in Developmental Adaptive Physical Education, St. Cloud State University, BS in Municipal Recreation, Mankato State University, Water Safety Instructors Certificate, American Red Cross), begins his sixth year at the Day School. Previously Kelly taught developmental adaptive physical education for nine years in the Eden Prairie school district. He has coached swimming and diving for 20 years and sat on the judges’ panel for the Minnesota State High School League for 16 years. Kelly and his wife, Kim, have three children, Rose, Madeline and Joe.

Juli Gordon Olson, Technology Integration Specialist (BS in Elementary Ed./Minor in Library and Information Science, University of Wisconsin, MA Education, St. Mary’s University),  is extremely excited to be back for her sixth year on the specialist team. Prior to coming to the Day School, Juli taught third, then sixth grade in the Wayzata schools before enjoying nine years at an educational materials company where she developed supplemental educational materials for children ages 3–14. Her Master’s project focused on Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences and developing a website relating to the topic. Juli looks forward to finding more new and exciting ways to integrate classroom curricula and technology. She lives in Maple Grove with her husband Dave and daughters, Adeline (HMJDS first grader) and Quinn.

 

Aimee Orkin, Art Teacher (BA in Art, University of Wisconsin; AS in Architectural Drafting, Minneapolis Technical Institute; MFA in Scenic Design, Brandeis University), is beginning her 18th year at the Day School.  She enjoys inspiring students, adults, and children throughout the community to create and learn a process to design.  Aimee’s murals can be seen at Mount Zion, Brookview Animal Hospital, the Shoe Zoo, the Minnesota Zoo, the Minneapolis Jewish Federation, Sonny’s Ice Cream, Adath Jeshurun’s Gan Shelanu, Sabes JCC’s Early Childhood Center and many residential interiors. She is a member of the Jewish Women’s Artist Circle and studies Judaic themes and then  creates art in multi-media and displays around the state in churches, synagogues and galleries.  Most recently she has exhibited at Adath Jeshuran Synogogue, Temple of Aaron, the Basilica of St. Mary’s and the First Presbyterian church Art Gallery. Aimee and her husband have two daughters enrolled at HMJDS.

Catherine Orkin Oskow, Librarian (BA in English and American Literature, Brandeis Univeristy; MA in Professional Writing, University of Southern California; Secondary English Teaching Certificate, University of St. Thomas; coursework at St. Cloud State University in Information Media), is beginning her 15th year at the Day School. Concurrently, she begins her 5th year as librarian for the Talmud Torah of Minneapolis. Previously, Cathi taught English and reading for 10 years at Inver Grove Heights Middle School, where she also founded and advised an award winning literary and arts magazine. Cathi writes fiction, screenplays, newspaper articles, children’s stories, and poetry. She is a member of the National and Minnesota Societies of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the Minnesota Screenwriters’ Workshop, and has won state and national awards for her own writing. She is currently working on the rewrite of a Young Adult science fiction novel with a Jewish protagonist, as well as marketing a picture book about Canaan Dogs – which features one of the HMJDS Core Values! Cathi breeds and shows world-class Canaan Dogs, the only breed originating from Israel. Cathi loves the combination of books, children, and Jewish community that are part of being the librarian. Cathi and her husband are the proud parents of two Day School graduates.

David Shaw, Music Teacher (BA in Music Ed., Western Illinois University; MA in Ed. Administration, University of St. Thomas; NAIS Fellowship for Aspiring School Heads, Washington, D.C.), will celebrating his twenty-seventh year in teaching and this will be his eleventh year at HMJDS.  David has advanced training in the Orff method of teaching, as well as in the Kodály and Dalcroze music approaches.  He serves as a member of the Day School Leadership Team where he has been extensively involved the accreditation process for our school with the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS).  His work with ISACS has included being on three visiting accreditation teams to evaluate programs at different schools in the mid-west.  David also serves on the teacher services committee for the Minnesota Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) and this summer finished course work with the Fellowship for Aspiring School Heads with the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) in Washington, D.C.  In the past David was the specialist team leader for six years and currently shares the position of general studies curriculum coordinator.  Mr. Shaw loves to travel and especially enjoys sea-side destinations on both coasts.

Hector Sztainer, Athletics Coach is a familiar face to students who have studied at Talmud Torah of St. Paul. He will be coaching sport teams in grades 5-8 through the year, providing the expertise that comes with more than 30 years of work with children in Argentina, Israel and the Twin Cities. With degrees from University in Buenos Aires and Israel, Hector will provide consistency of coaching in our inter-scholastic athletic program and an enthusiasm for working with youth that is contagious.

Victoria Thor, Art Teacher & Secretary – Leadership Team (BA Magna cum Laude, University of Minnesota in Art History & Studio Arts, minors in Jewish Studies and Spanish), is in her twelfth year at HMJDS. She is the art teacher for grades three and four; fifth and sixth grade art electives; and seventh and eighth grade art. Vic also coordinates HMJDS’s Art Adventure program, an art appreciation and history program in conjunction with the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Vic is the staff advisor for the school yearbook. She is particularly interested in integrating art with other areas of study such as natural sciences and technology. Beyond children and art, she is interested in travel, gardening, reading, and flamenco/Latin/Israeli music. Vic is the proud parent of two HMJDS alumni: Josef, a graduate of Indiana University, and Lily, a senior at Rhode Island School of Design. Her family also includes husband, Marty Harris, a professional illustrator and graphic designer, and an adopted retired racing greyhound. Vic also serves on the Board of Directors of the Louis Herman Israel Experience Scholarship Fund and chairs the Sabes JCC Tychman Shapiro Gallery committee. During the summer HMJDS students typically see her at Herzl camp leading an art workshop as a guest artist.