Julie Rosenthal, Athletic Trainer:
After completing their master’s in athletic training from George Mason University and working as an athletic trainer at Fallston High School, Julie Rosenthal is joining JDS faculty as an athletic trainer. They are looking forward to working with students not only through injury recovery, but also while teaching the Kinesiology and Emergency Care and Sports Safety courses. Outside of sports medicine, Rosenthal is a competitive ballroom dancer. They consider themself to be crafty and enjoys bringing arts and hands-on work into the classroom. “I’m excited to be part of a real Jewish environment,” Rosenthal said. “I’ve never really been able to work in a Jewish environment where everyone around me is kind of similar to me, which is really awesome. And I’m excited to be in a school [with] this really strong sports medicine program, like I did in high school.”
Josh Rauguth, Assistant Director of College Counseling:
Josh Rauguth is the latest addition to the college counseling department at JDS, after working in college counseling in Virginia, Florida and Indiana. Rauguth particularly enjoys guiding students through the college process in order to set them up for success later on in life. “I just like helping [students] navigate the whole next step,” Rauguth said. “… I think it’s really important to educate [them], not only on what day one of college is going to look like, but on what you should be doing there, what you shouldn’t be doing there.” Outside of college counseling, Rauguth teaches percussion at the University of Maryland School of Music and works with the marching band program there. He enjoys watching college sports and has a golden retriever named Gus. Rauguth is most looking forward to getting to know the students and learning about the culture at JDS.
Elise Resnick, Ninth and Tenth Grade Guidance Counselor:
Joining JDS as the ninth and tenth grade counselor, Elise Resnick is excited to continue her work in counseling after spending the last four years working in mental health therapy in public schools. Resnick also taught at the University of Maryland, worked with middle and elementary school students and in private practice. As a therapist, Resnick enjoys hearing people’s stories and wants to help students when they need it. She looks forward to helping students enjoy their high school years, which she knows can be a high pressure time. “I want to be able to support [students] when things are rough, help [them] get coping skills as needed, connect with resources as needed, whatever it is to help when you hit the rough patches, but also to keep things in a really positive and fun space,” Resnick said.
Rebecca Drucker, Spanish Teacher:
Following her work as a teaching fellow at the Holton-Arms School in Bethesda, Rebecca Drucker is coming to JDS as the middle and high school Spanish teacher. Drucker graduated from Wesleyan University with a degree in Romance languages, and has since completed multiple teaching fellowships. In her free time, Drucker enjoys journaling and knitting. Drucker began studying Spanish in middle school and especially loved the experience of learning about a foreign culture in its native language. She speaks English, Spanish and Italian. “[Learning languages] just adds so much flexibility to your mind,” Drucker said. “… It can be tough at times, but in the end, it helps you improve in all of your languages. It expands your vocabulary like tri-fold, and there’s just something so exciting and empowering about that.”
John-Michael d’Haviland, Vocal Music Teacher and Theatrical Music Director:
New addition to the JDS music department, is John-Michael d’Haviland. Returning to the DMV from Atlanta, where he taught at the Pebblebrook High School, d’Haviland is looking forward to helping students progress in their musical abilities. “The one of the things I love most about it is the discovery of being able to meet students and meet artists wherever, whether they’re high school or not, being able to teach them and be able to show them something and watch the progression, watch them make the discovery of, ‘Oh, hey, look, I can do that,’” d’Haviland said. d’Haviland’s has taught from the middle school level to the professional level, including vocal music, acapella and theater. Outside of teaching, d’Haviland likes to perform. He says one of his most memorable performances was at the Kennedy Center Honors tribute for Tina Turner when he performed in a back up choir directly after Beyonce, standing four feet away from her.
Aviya Betker, High School Hebrew Teacher:
Aviya Betker is entering JDS as a high school Hebrew teacher. Betker is originally from Jerusalem, and at her past teaching job there she taught two small cohorts of students with learning disabilities. Her work there focused on guiding them through their high school experience. Following her work in Israel, she moved to the United States and took a short break in which she worked as a company office manager. Since moving to Maryland, she was hired at JDS and is excited to begin teaching again. “What I like about teaching is probably the students,” Betker said. “Because, if not, [I] wouldn’t do it. I think the relationships are a big thing of what we do. We all try to have an impact, and I think that as people more than as teachers. But as people, we can actually do it, and schools are the best way to meet [students].” In her free time, Betker enjoys playing sports and planning trips for her family, which includes her spouse and their three young children.
Vickie Garner, Director of College Counseling:
With 25 years of college counseling experience, Vickie Garner is joining JDS as Director of College Counseling. Garner began working as a college counselor at Sandy Spring Friends School in 2001 and has since gained experience at other independent schools. Earlier in her career, Garner worked as a theater teacher and an admissions director. Garner will also be an 11th grade adviser. According to Garner, the warmth and energy of the students and staff, which she experienced during the interviewing process, drew her to JDS. “My first moments were as people were coming out of ZK [Z’man Kodesh], and I was like, ‘Wow, this energy is so contagious,’” Garner said. “And so that’s what really drew me. The caring, contagious and positive energy that I sensed from the kids.” Garner hopes to become involved with the arts and theater program at JDS and is excited to be back in the Maryland, where her family and four year old granddaughter live.
Jeremy Shine, High School Jewish History and Israel Studies Teacher:
The Jewish history department’s newest addition is Jeremy Shine, coming to JDS after working for the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (AJJDC) and multiple Jewish day schools in California, including Milken Community School and Shalhevet High School. In his work with the JDC, Shine helped Jewish communities in the former Soviet Union reestablish themselves. Shine is originally from London. He made aliyah and, after serving in the IDF, received a bachelors degree in International Relations and Russian studies. As a Jewish history teacher, Shine is excited to begin working at JDS because its identity is rooted in Jewish history. “I think the Jewish stories and Jewish historical stories are fascinating and compelling,” Shine said. “And it’s about seeing myself in those stories, and hopefully students can see themselves in those stories.”
