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Mrs. Caitlyn Cameron
Caitlyn Cameron holds both a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and a master’s of Educational Studies from the University of Alberta. Mrs. Cameron is a passionate educator who taught at Edmonton’s Menorah Academy for 7 years before returning to Calgary to lead Halpern Akiva Academy. She enjoys teaching Junior High math and science and has guided students from HAA to win medals and awards at both city and national Science Fairs, as well as outstanding achievements in Canada-wide math contests.
As the principal of Halpern Akiva Academy, Mrs. Cameron is dedicated to supporting teachers and students in reaching their greatest potential while strengthening the partnership between home and school.
Mrs. Cameron cultivates a positive school culture and learning environment with a focus on student mental health and supports. She is committed to continuing to build and foster positive relationships with individuals and organizations within the Calgary Jewish community.
Rabbi Nachum Aaron Kutnowski
Rabbi Nachum Aaron Kutnowski grew up in Thornill, Ontario, Canada. He was schooled at Yeshivas Eitz Chaim elementary school and Yeshivas Darchei Torah high school of Toronto. He continued his Jewish education in Eretz Yisrael, where he learned at Derech Etz Chaim of Har Nof for a few years. Rabbi Kutnowski returned to Toronto and received an honors degree in English Literature from York University of Toronto. After getting married, he became very involved with the Kollel Ohr Yosef of Thornhill, led by Rabbi Mordechai Scheiner. He then went on to teach for two years at a special educational institution called Zareinu (which transitioned to Kayla’s Children Centre). He then relocated to Hamilton, Ontario with his growing family, where he worked at the Hamilton Hebrew Academy as a Rebbi for over the past half decade. Besides his teaching responsibilities, he also created the Hamilton Community Night Kollel.
The Halpern Akiva Academy (HAA) will be welcoming Rabbi Kutnowski as the new Head of Judaic Studies for the 2022/2023 academic year. Since his candidacy, he has made it a priority to build positive relationships with parents, students, staff, and the Calgary community at large. His strong communication and interpersonal skills have given him the ability to relate to a wide range of people, and he looks forward to joining HAA and Calgary community at large.
He is passionate about facilitating a genuine relationship with Hashem, Torah and Mitzvot, and the Jewish people. Rabbi Kutnowski is especially looking forward to fostering the unique personality and strengths of each student at the HAA.
He moved to Calgary, Alberta with his wife, Chaviva and their six children, Tzvi Chaim (10), Bella Talia (9), Naama Kayla (7), Hila Basya (5), Elisha Leib (3), and Akiva Betzalel Meir (1) in the summer of 2022.
Mrs. Kizhakke Vandekkan
Kizhakke Vendekkan is the daycare director at Halpern Akiva academy. She earned her Bachelor of Education degree and Masters in Mathematics from India in 2008. Kizhakke moved to Canada in 2009 with her family and started her career as a teacher assistant. She holds a child development supervisor and a Montessori certificate from Canada and has worked at various preschools and daycares. She loves teaching all ages, but most of her experience involves the three to six age groups.
Her goals are to continue growing professionally as well as sharing her love for teaching and guiding children while providing a fun and creative environment. Kizhakke is a passionate educator who is always looking to perform at the highest standards. She respects children’s rights at all levels and is a committed team member of Halpern Akiva’s philosophy. As Director of the Centre, Kizhakke take great pride in knowing that our Centre is one that strives for excellence and quality in child care while promoting our Co-operative spirit. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading, biking and hiking etc.
Mrs. Marina Kaufman
This school year marks Mrs. Kaufman’s 23rd year at Halpern Akiva Academy. She received a Masters in Mathematics with Honors in the Soviet Union, where she taught advanced mathematics to junior and high school students. After her and her family immigrated to Israel, she continued to teach mathematics to grades seven through twelve, and participated in many teaching initiatives such as adult learning and working with new Olim from Ethiopia. In Israel, Mrs. Kaufman received multiple accreditations including a Certificate in Teaching Jewish Subjects, a Permanent Teaching License, and a status of The State Employee. Mrs. Kaufman is happy to take all the experience she has gained and use it in her role as a Hebrew Language Teacher. To further extend my knowledge and become familiar with a unique curriculum of Hebrew Language and Jewish Studies, she attended ten TaL AM Training Institutes in Canada and the United States. Mrs. Kaufman is committed to enriching the realm of Jewish education in the Hebrew language, and to using the latest educational technologies and modern teaching methods. The learning environment in our classroom promotes critical thinking, growth, a sense of family and a welcoming atmosphere.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, baking and reading. Mrs. Kaufman and her husband have lived in Canada for 22 years, and have two daughters who both reside in Calgary and work in the home building industry.
Mrs. Corinne Trott
Since 1985, teaching 3 and 4 year olds has been an integral part of Mrs. Trott’s life. For the last 15 years, she has been teaching Early Childhood Education at Halpern Akiva Academy. Playing and learning alongside her Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten children has continuously impacted on her how unique each child’s emotional, intellectual, physical, social and creative developments are.
Outside the classroom, you will find Mrs. Trott going for walks, reading, cooking and visiting with friends. She also enjoys researching creative projects for young children. Most of all, she enjoys home time with her family of seven.
Ms. Viola Clarke
Ms. Clarke has been employed at Halpern Akiva Academy since May 2018 as a Daycare Assistant. She migrated from Jamaica in 2005 with her husband. Ms. Clarke attended the Academy of Business College in Toronto, where she obtained her Diploma as a Medical Receptionist in 2008. Although certified in this field, she prefers working with children. I pursued a career in Early Childhood Development and obtained certification as Child Care Development Assistant in 2013. She has over 9 years experience working in Child Care, including working as a Room Leader in different age groups, ranging from infants to kindergarten.
Prior to working in Child Care, Ms. Clarke worked in Tourism for more than 10 years. She believes that working with children requires patience, sincerity and openness. Her goal is to ensure that each child in her care feels loved and valued. Ms. Clarke is excited to contribute to the Halpern Akiva Academy family.
In her free time she enjoys reading, listening to music, going to the gym, watching movies and sports.
Morah Hannah Andrews
Bio coming soon
Mrs. Stacey Diamanti
Mrs. Diamanti is a Kindergarten teacher at Halpern Akiva Academy. She also teaches English Language Arts and Social Studies to both Grade 2 and Grade 4. Mrs. Diamanti received her Bachelor of Arts from Saint Thomas University and her Bachelor of Education, specializing in Elementary Education, from the University of New Brunswick. She possess her Alberta Permanent Professional Teaching Certification in addition to her New Brunswick Teaching Certification.
Mrs. Diamanti is from Fredericton, New Brunswick, and devoted much of her youth training to become a competitive figure skater. From the time she was a teenager, she taught children to learn-to-skate and this is where her life-long passion to teach children began. She enjoys attending Calgary Flames hockey games and concerts. Mrs. Diamanti also enjoys camping, hiking and walking her three-and-a-half-pound Chihuahua, Baxter.
Mrs. Leah Filewich
Hello, I’m Ms. Filewich. Teaching is in my blood. My grandmother was a teacher, my sister was a teacher, and I have three cousins who are teachers. Having taught children from pre-school to junior high, every subject, at almost every grade level, I like to think I can tackle any classroom challenge put in front of me–if not, I’ll give it everything I’ve got! I have been at Halpern Akiva Academy since September 2017, and have been blessed to teach a variety of General Studies classes at many grade levels.
I have always been a reader, a writer, and a creator, but after over 20 years in the classroom, I have developed a passion for teaching math so that children can understand it and build critical thinking skills. I love my job, my students, and being part of the Halpern Akiva family.
I mentioned that I am also a creator. I dabble in many art forms, but my passion is playing with fire. Melting glass, turning it into beads, and creating sparkly jewelry is something I wish I had more time for. In my spare time, you can usually find me hanging out with my hubby, Doug, enjoying everything our community has to offer.
I continue to look forward to working with the Halpern Akiva family as we continue our learning journeys together!
Ms. Kelsey Lovell
“I have been a teacher for an amazing six years”, says Ms. Lovell.
Ms. Lovell graduated from Mount Royal University in 2011 with a Bachelor in Communications – Journalism, and went on to graduate with distinction from the University of Alberta with a degree in Education.
Her goal is to make a difference in the lives of children, particularly in the areas of differentiated instruction and literacy. She views the classroom as a community, and works to ensure students can learn in a caring, safe, and open environment where all can succeed and feel welcome. She likes to consider herself the creative type, as she has been writing and story-telling since she figured out how to write her name on some loose-leaf paper. Her intention is to bring this creativity into the classroom and spark a love of learning in the process – whether that be in a special education program or a regular program.
Rabbi Shmuel Nissan
Bio coming soon
Mrs. Anna Antonova
Bio coming soon
Rabbi Nisan Andrews
Bio coming soon
Mrs. Esty Groner
Bio coming soon
Mrs. Meira Nissan
Bio coming soon
Ms. Nechama Rassin
Nechama was born and raised in Calgary and an alumni of Akiva Academy. She has a Jewish Education Certification from Tomer Devorah Seminary in Jerusalem, in addition she has graduated from the University of Calgary with a BA in philosophy. Currently Nechama is a Programming Director as well as works in the preschool department teaching Judaics for pre-kindergarten and nursery students.
Ms. Mirela Sariu
Mrs. Mirela Sariu holds a Level 3 in Early Childhood Education. With love, passion and fun she always teaches the little ones to be kind, compassionate, loving, taking turns and sharing, throughout using objects and toys in a pretend way, activating cause and effect, imitating sounds, words, actions, solving simple problems, visually follow persons and objects, while observing their needs regarding achieving their goals.
In her spare time, Mrs. Sariu enjoys spending time with family and friends, biking, swimming, walking, dancing, and reading.
Morah Mickaela Corenblum
Morah Mickaela is a teaching assistant at Halpern Akiva Academy.
She was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. She is a proud Halpern Akiva Academy alumna.
Morah Mickaela graduated from Beth Jacob High in Denver, Colorado.
She has her PSW certification and Level 1 certification. One of her first work experiences was a sales person at B Gifted that was once located at our Calgary JCC.
She has also worked as a companion for seniors in their home or nursing home. While living in Toronto for 3 years, she gained more experience working with seniors in health care settings.
Morah Mickaela has been employed at Halpern Akiva Academy for over 11 years. She learns something new every day from our wonderful students.
Morah Mickaela is fortunate to have been able to travel to many places around the world. She has a great love for the land and state of Israel and has been very fortunate to have visited there numerous times.
In her spare time, she enjoys photography and walking around different places in the city.
Morah Mickaela loves animals, especially dogs. She also enjoys meeting up with friends and family for coffee.
Mrs. Maria Gluck
Her educational background is Nursing and Geriatric-Care. She graduated form both Holy Angel University and Jose-Feliciano College in Pampanga, Philippines and worked as a Dental Assistant.
Maria lived in Israel for almost 3 years with her husband and two sons prior to moving to Canada in 2015.
She and her husband enjoy a Frum home with their three children, all of whom are current students attending Halpern Akiva Academy.
Ms. Josie Lugada
Ms. Lugada joined Halpern Akiva Academy in March 2019 as a Teacher Assistant. Before joining Halpern Akiva Academy, she worked as a Child Development Worker at Global Kids Academy from 2015 to 2018.
She was a Registered Nurse in the Philippines, worked several years in a Special Unit (Nursery Neonates) at Makati Medical Center. In 1991, she worked at ARAMCO Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a Nurse until 1994. She moved back to the Philippines to start her own family. She is married to a loving husband and was gifted with four wonderful children, three boys and a daughter. She enjoyed rearing her children full-time and it was at this time where she developed to be more patient, understanding, caring, committed which are very useful in her work as a Child Care Professional.
Her family moved to Canada in 2007 as immigrants and chose Calgary as their permanent residence. She continued to be a fulltime housewife and mother until her youngest child was in his elementary school. As she took care of her family, she also used her spare time to Volunteer at a Senior Home in Shawnessy. She took some small courses at Bow Valley College, finished a Computer Literacy Program and took her Child Development Worker (Level 2) Certificate.
She feels satisfaction in her profession as a Child Care Professional as she can contribute in rearing children and making them enjoy life and be ready for the future ahead of them.
Ms. Nataliya Lubich
Bio coming soon
Mr. Sami El Sogheir
Bio coming soon
Phone: (403) 258-1312
Fax: (403) 258-3812
Address: 140 Haddon Rd SW, Calgary, AB T2V 2Y3
Email Address: [email protected]
Daycare Director – Mrs. Kizhakke Vendekkan
Phone: (403) 259-2808
Email: [email protected]
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