Science Department - Faculty List

Mrs. Gila Stein, Science Chair, views her classroom as a community of learners. She strives to provide every student with a broad and deep knowledge of fundamental scientific principles through active, hands-on learning. In addition to chairing the Science Department, Mrs. Stein teaches Chemistry and Physics, and she provides additional science help to students during their free periods by conducting workshops for individuals or small groups. Mrs. Stein came to Ma’ayanot from Ramaz Upper School, where she taught science for four years. Prior to her tenure at Ramaz, she taught science for two years in Shevach High School. Mrs. Stein earned her B.A. in Biochemistry from Queens College, and her M.A. in High School Science Education from Columbia Teachers College.

Mrs. Ariella Rosenbaum teaches Chemistry, Physics and Algebra. She is also the Science Lab Assistant and she manages our technology  professional development program. Prior to joining Ma'ayanot's faculty in 2008, she did research in two of the “hottest” fields in physics - nanoscience and quantum computers. During this time period, Mrs. Rosenbaum worked at the Brookhaven National Lab on projects related to nanoparticles, and she worked with the Quantum Information Science Group at the MITRE Corporation on optical and electro-optical experiments that are relevant to building quantum computers.  She earned a B.A. in Physics and Judaic Studies from Stern College, and is pursuing an M.A. in Physics Education at Columbia University Teachers College.

Mrs. Esther Slomnicki teaches Biology and A.P. Biology at Ma’ayanot. She previously worked at Lawrence Woodmere Academy, where she taught Biology and A.P. Biology and developed her own syllabus for teaching Genetics and Anatomy. She has also worked as a research technician at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where she investigated genes possibly related to prostate cancer. Mrs. Slomnicki holds a B.A. in Biology from Queens College.

Mrs. Elise Vitow is the Director of Student Special Services, she teaches Biology, and she serves as a ninth grade mehanekhet. Prior to joining the Ma’ayanot faculty, she served on the faculties of both HAFTR and HALB, where she taught various science and math courses for thirteen years. At HAFTR, she also served as the Chairperson of the Science Department of the Middle School, as well as a learning specialist, staff mentor, and in-service instructor of new faculty. Before returning to teaching full time, Mrs. Vitow was the Educational Administrator of the Stanley H. Kaplan Educational Center in Staten Island for eight years. Mrs. Vitow received both her B.A. in Languages and Literature and her M.S. in Special Education from CUNY, and she completed sixty credits towards an R.N. degree. She is a member of the team of founding educators of the National Association of Yeshiva Day Schools Serving Exceptional Children (NADSEC), as well as a member of the N.J. Association of Jewish Day Schools.

Mr. Noam Weinberger teaches Biology, Physics, and Science Research. He holds a B.A. in Physics, with minors in Math and Architecture, from Yeshiva University. He has worked as a research assistant at the University of Southern California, and as a math and physics tutor for middle and high school students. His background in Jewish education includes serving as Director of Programming for Camp Stone and as a national board member of Bnei Akiva of North America.