Social Studies Department - Faculty List

Mrs. Dena Block (nee Katz) teaches Talmud, History, Jewish History, and serves as a ninth-grade Mehanekhet. She graduated from Ma'ayanot in 2004. She studied at Migdal Oz in Israel before attending Barnard College, from which she received a BA in History in 2009. She completed the Graduate Program in Advanced Talmudic Studies at Stern College while concurrently pursuing a Masters Degree in Medieval Jewish History at the Bernard Revel Graduate School at Yeshiva University. Last year, Mrs. Block was the Resident Scholar at Congregation BIAV in Kansas City, Kansas for one Shabbat each month, which involved teaching members of the community and learning with high school students.

Mr. Alan Deaett teaches American History, World History and American Government at Ma’ayanot. He is also the adviser to the Stock Market Game. Mr. Deaett earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Amherst College. He also received a Master’s Degree in Social Science from William Paterson University. Mr. Deaett taught history at Glen Rock High School for forty-five years, where he served as Social Studies Department Chair. He earned New Jersey Governor’s Awards as Teacher of the Year in 1992 and 1996. He was also chosen as Social Studies Supervisor of the Year in 1987 by the New Jersey Council for Social Studies, and was chosen Teacher of the Year by the Glen Rock Educational Association in 1992. Mr. Deaett coached football at Glen Rock High School for over forty years, winning nine state championships. He has been named Coach of the Year by the National Foundation Hall of Fame (1988), Ridgewood News (1996 and 1998), New York Jets (1997) and the New York Giants (2003). Coach Deaett was inducted into the Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2003 by the New Jersey Coaches Association.

Mr. Yaakov Samuels teaches ninth and tenth grade History at Ma’ayanot. He also serves as the adviser for Model U.N. and the coach for the Debate Team. Mr. Samuels received his B.A. in History from Rutgers University, and then went on to pursue graduate studies in education at New Jersey City University, earning his K-12 State Teacher Certification and designation as a “Highly Qualified Teacher of Social Studies.” He is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Previously, Mr. Samuels taught Middle School Social Studies within the yeshiva day school system, as well as Jewish History to high school students in various Hebrew schools. He enjoys incorporating technology into his lessons.