Employee Directory: TVT Community Day School

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Department

Grade Level

Last Name

Rochelle Brown

Teacher

(949) 509-9500 x5112

Manhattan School of Music, New York - B.A.

Bio

"I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but more importantly music, for in the patterns of music and all the arts are the keys to learning." -Plato, 410 B.C.

Mrs. Brown is a graduate from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. Her major was piano performance. She also studied at the Rubin Academy of Music in Tel Aviv. Pnina Saltzman was her master teacher. Mrs. Brown has been involved in many music organizations, including the Music Teacher Association of California and The Orange County Orff-Schulwerk Association where she has been the Vice-President of Programming for the past 15 years. Mrs. Brown’s education, combined with her love of children coupled with her love of Judaism, makes Tarbut a perfect fit.

In her free time, Mrs. Brown loves to be with her family and friends.
Erin DeSplinter

Teacher

(949) 509-9500 x5135

St. Mary's College - B.A.

Bio

“In order to understand Science, students have to DO Science! This means my days are filled with questions and wonder. There is no greater joy than igniting the curiosity of students and taking them on a journey where they get to explore and discover.”

Mrs. DeSplinter earned her B.A in Elementary Education and a minor in Biology at St. Mary’s College in South Bend, Indiana. She has been an elementary science teacher and classroom teacher for over 17 years, taught in 9 different states and 7 private independent schools. In addition to teaching, Mrs. DeSplinter has developed and written several science curricula, and worked at Northwestern University at the Center for Talent Development for gifted learners.

In her spare time, she loves spending time with her husband and three children, attending her kids’ hockey and soccer games, and going to the beach!
Dina Jahanfard

Teacher

(949) 509-9500 x4325

California State University, Long Beach - B.A.
California State University, Long Beach - Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

Bio

Ms. Jahanfard earned her B.A. along with her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with a supplementary authorization in English from California State University, Long Beach. She has worked with preschool through college students in both one-on-one and classroom settings throughout the past several years and has always been extremely passionate about working with elementary school students. She loves making connections with them and watching them grow in all areas of their lives during their time throughout the Lower School.

In her free time, Ms. Jahanfard enjoys spending time with her family, taking her dog on all kinds of adventures, and baking.
Sarah Mendonca

Teacher

(949) 509-9500 x5142

University of California, Santa Barbara - B.A.
Concordia University - Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

Bio

"There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.”-Mr. Rogers

Hi there, my name is Sarah Mendonca. I have known I wanted to be a teacher from a very young age. I can remember playing teacher with my sisters at home and creating pretend transparencies with photo album pages. I loved it! I was born in Austin, Texas but moved to California when I was very young. I grew up in Irvine, going to both Vista Verde and University High School. I then received my Bachelors Degree in Global Studies with a focus on Latin America from UCSB. After completing college, I earned my teaching credential from Concordia University. I am now going into my 11th year of teaching at Tarbut V"Torah and there is no school as special. I have been married for 16 years and I have an 8 year old boy, Levi (Incoming 3rd Grader) and a 4 year old, Luiza. I love to travel, spend time with my family, and be in the outdoors as much as possible. My favorite thing about being a teacher is the satisfaction I get when a student overcomes a major challenge. There is nothing like sharing in that "aha" moment.
Keren Messer

Teacher

(949) 509-9500 x5177

SUNY Albany - B.A.

Bio

“Learning a language means to go on a great adventure. When students make a connection between a meaning of a Hebrew word, and a moment in our history and culture, it’s magic!”

Mrs. Messer graduated from SUNY Albany with a B.A. in Business and Psychology. Six years ago she began her teaching career at The Abraham Joshua Heschel School in NYC, where she was able to combine her love for Israel, languages and children. In 2017 she enrolled in a dual M.A. program in Childhood/Special Education at Fordham University in NYC, and joined the Hebrew and Judaic Studies Learning Specialists team. Keren taught 1st through 5th grades Hebrew and Judaic Studies and enjoyed incorporating her yoga teaching skills and her sense of humor.

In her free time, Mrs. Messer enjoys hiking, practicing yoga and exploring California with her husband, two kids and their dog Ocho.
Kenneth Moon

Teacher

(949) 509-9500 x4320

University of California, Riverside - B.S.
Cristina Rodriguez

Teacher

(949) 509-9500 x4341

Regis University - B.A.
Regis University - M.A.

Bio

"My favorite part about teaching is seeing the academic, social and emotional growth that students make each and every day. I truly enjoy making connections with my students and helping them develop into well rounded citizens of the world!"

Morah Cristina earned a BA in Elementary Education at Regis University in Denver, Colorado. She also completed her M.A in Education and obtained her teaching credential through Regis. Morah Cristina has enjoyed teaching children in both Colorado and California.

In her spare time, Mora Cristina loves coaching lacrosse at Foothill high school, spending time at the beach with her dogs and husband, and enjoying the company of her friends and family.
Kassandra Virag

Reading Specialist

(949) 509-9500 x5196

Bio

Mrs. Virag has a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a Masters degree in Management and Administration of Educational Programs. She also has a Multiple Subject Credential and over 15 years of experience in literacy education. She is a certified literacy coach and has had experience teaching grades K-5. Before teaching at TVT, she has had the pleasure of teaching grades K-5 in public and private schools. She looks forward to continuing to build a rich literary environment and fostering a love of reading in our students.

She was born and raised in Orange County, California. In her spare time, she enjoys being a mama of two young children, traveling and drinking good coffee.
Fay Wyles

Teacher

(949) 509-9500 x5176

University of New Mexico - B.F.A.

Bio

“I love to inspire the artist within every child. Whether we are learning the art of decoupage, painting, drawing, sculpture, mural collaboration, or ceramics, a common thread connects each lesson. We are engaged in the hands-on, creative process- exploring, experimenting and expressing ourselves to create a unique artistic learning experience."

Ms. Wyles will be teaming up with Helaine Yeakel to teach Art at the TVT Lower School. She has her Bachelor of Fine Art from University of New Mexico, and has been a professional artist for over 15 years. She has had great experience working creatively with companies like Disney and Universal Studios. Ms. Wyles has a passion for teaching art to kids and has an extensive background in private and non-profit art education. She is also an artist and volunteer with the Laguna Plein Air Painter’s Association (LPAPA), where she mentors children in the history and fundamentals of Plein Air Painting. In her free time, Ms. Wyles can be found either surfing, dancing Flamenco, or painting outdoors and in her studio.

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