Admin Team
Bialik's Administrative Team is made up of seven talented people:
Shana Harris, Head of School
Shana came to Bialik as Vice-Principal in 1986 when she immigrated to Canada from South Africa with her husband and two sons, who are both graduates of Bialik and CHAT. Prior to coming to Canada, Shana had been a Latin and English teacher as well as Vice-Principal at Greenside High School in Johannesburg. She then took on the position of Coordinator of General Studies at the South African Board of Jewish Education. Shana has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg and a Transvaal Teacher's Higher Diploma from the Johannesburg College of Education. She also has a Diploma in Special Education (Remedial) from the University of South Africa. After coming to Canada, Shana gained her Masters in Educational Administration from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education - University of Toronto, Junior Basic from York University and Principal's Certification Parts I and II from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. After holding the position of Principal of General Studies at Bialik for six years, Shana became Bialik’s Head of School in 2006.
Shana is committed to providing a nurturing and exciting learning environment for our students, and to ensuring that they benefit from Bialik’s 4 Pillars:
Ahavat Israel
Academic Excellence
Jewish Values and Mentshlechkeit
Accessibility
Benjamin Cohen, Principal of General Studies
Benjy joined Bialik in 2006 as the Principal of General Studies. Benjy received his Bachelors Degree in Political Science and US teaching certification from Swarthmore College. After graduating, he made Aliyah to Israel where he met his wife, Jane, and where his three children were born. In Israel, he received a Masters Degree in Political Science from Hebrew University, and Israeli teaching certification from David Yellin Teachers' College. Benjy taught high school English and History in several Jerusalem schools. At the Israel Arts and Science Academy, he served as teacher, Mechanech, English studies coordinator and member of the managerial committee. Benjy and his family moved to Alexandria, Virginia in 2001. There, Benjy served as the Director of Education for a local synagogue - running a supplementary school, overseeing the youth and family education programs, and teaching in a Melton adult mini-school. He also earned a second Masters Degree in Public Administration from George Mason University. In 2004, Benjy and his family relocated to Albany, NY, where, as Head of School at the Bet Shraga Hebrew Academy, Benjy assumed full responsibility for the administration of the community's Jewish day school. Benjy is happy to be part of the Bialik family, and looks forward to contributing to the education of Jewish youth in his adopted Canadian home.
Simona Dayan, Principal of Jewish Studies
Simona Dayan was born in Israel and came to Canada with her family in 1999. She received her Masters degree in Policy & Management in Education and her Principal's Certification from the University of Jerusalem. Her Bachelor of Education in Hebrew Literature and Grammar is from Seminar Hakibutzim. Simona has fulfilled various roles in education; she started as a teacher and has worked as a Vice-Principal in various schools. Simona was asked by the Ministry of Education to work as a counselor and school guidance officer in Tel-Aviv, Ramat-Gan, Holon and surrounding areas. As a counselor, she was involved in curriculum development in various subject areas. Simona helped many teachers and Principals in setting goals and developing the teachers' professionalism. She also conducted training courses for teachers in Pedagogic Centres. Simona has been the Principal of Jewish Studies at Bialik since 2001.
Sonia Shron, Executive Director
Sonia Shron was born and raised in Montreal. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology at McGill University. Sonia, along with her husband and two sons, moved to Toronto in 1977 where she served for ten years as the Assistant Director of B'nai Brith Youth Organization and two years as the Executive Director of Toronto Women's ORT. She has been the Administrator at Bialik since 1989. Sonia has been very active in the volunteer sector, having been a national vice president of Women's Canadian ORT, a Board member of Beth David B'nai Israel Beth Am Synagogue and co-chair of the UJA Education Division. She is the proud grandmother of Miriam, Boaz and Dalya, and is looking forward to further additions to the Shron family.
Rochelle Wise, Vice-Principal - Preschool Division
Rochelle Wise joined the Bialik family in 2005 as the Vice-Principal in charge of the Preschool. Rochelle has been involved in working with young children for over 25 years. She is a graduate of Toronto Teacher's College with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. Rochelle began her career as an elementary school teacher in the primary grades. She entered the field of recreation, and founded and directed a children's camp with an enrollment of over 1000. Rochelle brings to Bialik her energy, her warmth and her desire for excellence. She is passionate about her commitment to helping children enhance their academic, emotional, social and physical skills within the tradition of Jewish education. Her affiliation with Na'amat as a National Board member, her dedication to Israel and her keen interest in Jewish education and "continuity" have connected her over the years with Bialik and its philosophy.
Anita Eckhaus, Vice-Principal - Elementary Division
Anita has been with Bialik since 1998, both as a teacher in Senior Division and as an administrator. She holds Bachelor's degrees in Science and Education, as well as a Masters degree in Science, and her Principal's Certification. She participated in the Mechanech training program at Hebrew University in 1994, and subsequently became a Mechanechet at Bialik. Prior to her appointment as Vice-Principal � Elementary, she taught Math and Science at the school for 13 years, and she still identifies strongly with the role of a teacher. Anita feels that as an administrator, she is in the unique position to be able to facilitate staff growth and development, a positive school culture, and a true partnership between home and school. Anita strongly believes that Bialik is a community of learners, and that high standards and expectations can and should be met. She provides leadership and support in all aspects crucial to the functioning of the Elementary Division and believes that the foundation of life-long learning is established in this division. She looks forward to working with all school stake-holders to make Bialik the best experience for each and every student.
Beverley Young, Vice-Principal - Senior Division
After many years at Bialik, Beverley Young still looks forward to every day and sees each challenge as a new opportunity for reflection and meaningful interaction. Before coming to Canada, Beverley held the positions of English teacher and Head of the French Department at the SACS, a large boys' High School in Cape Town, South Africa. Since joining Bialik in 1985, she has taught grade 4 General Studies, grade 7 English and French to grades 4 through 8. In addition, she served as a grade 7 Mechanechet. She has held her current position since 2000. Beverley holds Specialist Certification in French as a Second Language and in Special Education, with a focus on gifted programming. She also has her Principal's Certificate. As a life long learner, she has twice participated in the Principals' Seminar at the Lookstein Centre of Bar Ilan University, and has co-authored a series of middle school French language textbooks, entitled "Visa Pour La Langue Francaise". Beverley's vision of the Senior Division at Bialik is a vibrant and unique part of the school, where positive and nurturing relationships support a school culture in which respect and tolerance foster the opportunity for each individual to achieve their maximum potential.
