Meet our new faculty for 2024-2025!
 | Michele Bloom Learning Specialist, Upper School Michele Bloom has been working as a Learning Specialist since 2006, most recently working in independent schools. She received a BA in English Literature and Dance from Denison University in Granville, OH, a MA in Dance with a focus in Linguistic Theory from University of Oregon, and a MS from Bank Street College of Education in Literacy and General Education. | |
 | Rabbi Shira Botzum Rabbinic Educator, Upper School Rabbi Botzum completed her rabbinical studies at Hadar Institute. She also graduated from Columbia University with a BA in Political Science and a BA/MA in Talmud and Rabbinics from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Originally from Allentown, PA Rabbi Botzum has lived in NYC for the past 10 years now. She loves talking about Torah, fantasy novels, and all things food and cooking. | |
 | Osnat Cudkevich Hebrew Faculty, Upper School Osnat Cudkevich earned a B.Ed. with Specialization in Bible Studies and Geography from the Levinsky College of Education in Tel Aviv, Israel as well as a MA in Teaching Hebrew as a Second Language from Middlebury College. She previously worked at Heschel in NYC and in her free time enjoys gardening, planting, painting, ceramics and knitting. | |
 | Anna Fishel Math Faculty, Upper School Anna Fishel has been helping students across a multitude of ages and subjects for over a decade. She graduated with a BA in Psychology from Columbia University where she also worked in various research labs. Outside of teaching, Ms. Fishel enjoys gardening, hiking and paddling. | |
 | Hannah Grossman Math Faculty, Upper School Hannah Grossman received a BS in Mathematics Education from Boston University. She is looking forward to connecting with and helping students of all ages as an Upper School Math teacher. | |
 | Mary Okorie Science Faculty, Upper School Mary Okorie received a BS in Chemistry from Temple University and Masters in Chemistry and PhD in Inorganic Chemistry and Materials Chemistry from Seton Hall University. She received the 2024 American Chemical Society (ACS) Volunteer of the Year Award for the North Jersey Section and is the Co-Chair for the North Jersey ACS Younger Chemists Committee. Ms. Okorie’s section recently received the Outstanding Local Section Younger Chemists Committee Chemluminary. | |
 | Anthony Roberts Language Arts/Social Studies Faculty, Upper School Anthony Roberts joins GOA from Success Academy Charter Schools in NYC where he was the 8th Grade Team Lead and English Language Arts teacher. Mr. Roberts has a BA in Social Sciences from Thomas Edison State University and a MFA in Creative Writing from The New School. He has published two books of poetry and is currently writing a play for Veterans Repertory Theater in Highland Falls, NY. Prior to teaching, Mr. Roberts was an Army officer and retired in January of 2023 after a very successful career. | |
 | Kristin Roney Music/Choir Director, Upper School Kristin Roney holds a Master of Music in Opera Theater Performance from the Herberger Institute at Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Music from Willamette University. With over 15 years of experience, she has performed in various operatic and choral roles, directed choirs, and led teacher trainings and retreats. Ms. Roney is a RYT500 yoga teacher, meditation instructor, Reiki practitioner, and cares for her elderly and surly Bichon Poodle rescue, Finnigan. | |
 | Ziva Soll-Adam Gan Judaic Studies, Lower School Ziva Soll-Adam has a BA from Open University in Israel (Modern Jewish History and Social Studies) and comes to GOA with 25 years of experience in teaching at a number of other Jewish institutions. Prior to teaching, she worked as a journalist and a radio producer. Ms. Soll-Adam has two children and is a proud grandmother of two beautiful grandsons. | |
 | Luisa Trocchia Science Faculty, Upper School Luisa Trocchia joins GOA with more than 20 years of experience teaching Middle School and High School biology, environmental, life science and physical science. She received a Bachelor of Science from Saint Peter's University and a Masters in Science and Educational Technology from Rampapo College. Prior to joining GOA, Ms. Trocchia was the advisor for the Geology Science League, the advisor for the Pre-Med Club and assisted writing the science curriculum at Fair Lawn High School. | |
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