"Play is the highest form of research.” -Albert Einstein
This is Mrs. Mallard’s first year teaching at TVT. She has previously worked as a k-6 music teacher at Garden Street Academy in Santa Barbara and spent numerous years substitute teaching. She has taught music for over 10 years and is looking forward to joining the talented Tarbut v Torah staff where she was once a student. Mrs. Mallard has her Degree in Early Childhood Education. She brings patience and joy to the classroom and is very passionate about helping children grow and learn.
In her free time she enjoys going to the beach with her husband and playing the ukulele.
“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.
