Dawn has been working with students with special needs for a little over 30 years. She has a B.S. in visually impaired special education from Western Michigan University. She did her Master’s Degree in Physical and Health Impairments at Georgia State University and completed the Doctoral program in Multiple and Severe Disabilities at Georgia State as well. Dawn really enjoys working with elementary age students and loves seeing their progress throughout the course of the year. In her free time, Dawn enjoys reading, playing the alto saxophone, and traveling.
Cochava Sharaby is excited to be joining the JEMS family. She is a devoted mother and grandmother and loves spending time with children and is especially passionate about working with children with special needs. Cochava is an active member in the Jewish community and loves participating in every event, shiur, and program. She loves doing yoga and art, and traveling and exploring G-d’s beautiful world.      Â
Izzy Ben-Hanan is originally from Minneapolis, MN. She holds her degree in Business Communications and Judaic Studies from Lander College for Women, a division of Touro College. After graduating, Izzy started her career working for Yachad, a special needs organization under the Orthodox Union. After leaving New York, she began actualizing her passion for business and developed a few of her own businesses. She currently contributes to the community by working with Shorashim in Hollywood, FL. helping run evening kiruv programs for middle and high school girls. Izzy is currently serving as the operations manager at JEMS Academy. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Devora holds a master’s degree in general and special education and has been educating and assisting children for many years. Additionally, she is a certified Hebrew reading and writing teacher through the Multisensory Kriah Ksiva Course. She utilizes her experience and knowledge to help her students reach their potential. Most recently, Devora has been teaching in SCHI in Lakewood, NJ. Devora has joined the JEMS team since her recent move to Florida. Devora is passionate about helping children feel confident while enjoying the learning process. She gets a lot of satisfaction from seeing her students make progress in all areas. She is currently serving as JEM’s Judaic studies teacher for kindergarten through grade 3.Â
With almost 40 years as an educator under her belt, Judy Markell lives and breathes the philosophy of educating the individual. Originally from Washington, D.C., Judy has always had a deep love for science, art, and the environment. After getting married, she embarked on a scientific journey with a think tank in La Jolla, California. However, her life took a turn when she became a mother, leading her to focus on early childhood education. Judy earned an ECE degree and her students affectionately call her "Morah Judy." She and her family made their home in San Diego, where they cared for a menagerie of fascinating animals, including horses, chickens, and reptiles! Following a period in Chicago, Judy's family settled in Florida, where she passionately taught at Toras Emes for 13 years and at MTA for 5.
Judy has always had an inclusive classroom, warmly welcoming children with special needs, and helping them to advance academically and socially. She sees the incredible potential in each of her students, and they rise to the challenge, accomplishing amazing things!
Beyond traditional teaching, Judy's enthusiasm extends to woodworking and setting up Makerspaces, creative learning centers that nurture students’ creativity. She's a committed learner herself, constantly updating her teaching knowledge. When she's not in the classroom, you can find Judy enjoying hobbies like puppeteering, racing her pet sighthounds, and, of course, cherishing moments with her wonderful family.
Dalya is an experienced educator with a genuine passion for working with children. She truly feels that every day she’s learning just as much from them as they learn from her. Her education journey started at Toras Emes, where she served as an Executive Function Coach for the past six years. She joined the JEMS family last year and instantly fell in love with the students, staff, and the school's mission. Dalya holds certifications in ADHD and Family Coaching and is currently pursuing her master's degree in Special Education at the University of Florida, along with a Graduate Certificate Program in Dyslexia, which she expects to complete within the next three months. She is a devoted mother of three, with two in high school and one in college. She has a five-year-old dog. Beyond her professional life, Dalya enjoys reading, organizing, traveling, and quality time with her family. She takes immense pride in being a part of the JEMS family, contributing to its growth.
Mrs. Leah Miller is a seasoned educator with a Master’s in Educational Leadership and extensive experience in general and special education. She has directed innovative special education programs and previously led the curriculum department at Walder Education, where she developed impactful resources. She is also a recognized specialist in Holocaust education, bringing deep knowledge and insight to this vital subject. As the author of two children’s books and a sought-after teacher and speaker, Leah brings creativity and dedication to every role. She is honored to lead JEMS Academy, fostering a vibrant, nurturing environment for its talented staff and exceptional students. Outside of her professional work, Leah enjoys spending quality time with her children and grandchildren.
Mrs. Sosha Gottlieb has over 28 years of experience as a principal and administrator in Special Education in the New York City Public School system, as well as an additional 12 years of experience as a Special Education teacher. She received her SAS (Administrator) designation from Long Island University, as well as her Master's in Special Education from Adelphi University. She has been awarded for her excellence in administration, has developed programs and curricula for students from early childhood through adult occupational training, and has led parent support groups, as part of her mission to provide support for her students at all levels.
