Student Services Department - Faculty List

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.

Mrs. Nava Orlian works in Ma'ayanot's Office of Student Special Services, teaches Jewish Philosophy, and serves as an eleventh grade mehanekhet. Upon completing her B.A. in Education and Judaic Studies at Michlalah, the Jerusalem College for Women, she stayed on at Michlalah to both teach and to serve as an adviser to students in the overseas program. While in Israel she was also involved in founding the ELIYA School for the Blind in Jerusalem and she instructed students with various learning disabilities in Israeli high schools. Upon returning to the United States, Mrs. Orlian received her M. S. in Special Education from Hunter College, became certified as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired, and attended the Master’s Program in Jewish History at Touro College.