Our School Community

Our School Community

Every teachermakes a difference.

Every teachermakes a difference.

Meet the educators, therapists, and staff who work together to guide, support, and inspire our students every day.

Meet members of our school community

I believe that focusing on the strength that each child possesses, while showing them how much I care for them, enables them to be more receptive to learning and thriving.

I believe that every child has unique potential and learns best in a nurturing, engaging environment that encourages curiosity and growth. At Yeshivah Prep Elementary School, we are committed to fostering both academic excellence and strong Jewish values to help students thrive in all areas of life.

At Yeshivah Prep, every student knowingly enters a caring, nurturing environment where anything once thought impossible becomes within reach—thanks to small classes and individualized support. Our vibrant, close knit community—where alumni return at every life milestone, from high school to new parenthood, to offer heartfelt “thank yous” for the tools to thrive—reflects the depth and warmth of the bonds we build.

Yeshivah Prep is a warm environment where our students receive the care, attention and tools they need to reach their full potential as learners. Between the students and staff it feels like one big family who all work together each day to make students feel successful while enjoying their learning. Our staff are exceptional in the way that we understand our students' emotional and academic needs and are able to connect on a personal level with each and everyone of them daily. We are so lucky that a specialty school like this exists right here in our own Jewish community.

Student love letters.

Yeshivah Prep is the best school. Not only does it give less homework and amazing lunch, but it takes us on so many fun trips. I feel so happy to come everyday and learn with my friends. My favorite thing about Yeshivah Prep is the 3C’s program. The better behaved you are, the more coins you get, and those can be traded in for cool prizes. This taught me about respect for my classmates, teachers, school, and of course myself. Yeshivah Prep is a great place to be!
Moise Sutton
Grade 4
I got very good at math because the teachers gave me attention and sat with me and made sure I got it correct. By having smaller classes, it helped me stay focused. YP teachers and Rabbis are here to help me. They are warm and caring. In Yeshivah Prep, they are strict when it comes to bullying and respecting others. I am so happy here in Yeshivah Prep!
Ethan Mizrahi
Grade 6
I love Yeshivah Prep, and that’s not just because they give us less homework and lots of candy. I feel excited to go to school everyday, especially when there is a birthday to celebrate. Since I came here, I learned so much because my teachers didn’t speed from one subject to another. They give me the time I need to really get it. I also love to do baking and arts and crafts. I like making projects for Jewish holidays, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. Yeshivah Prep is the place for me. It makes me smile.
Raymond Sutton
Grade 4

More members of our school community

At Yeshivah Prep, we take pride in continuing our community’s rich Mesorah. Every child has the opportunity to become thoroughly familiar and comfortable with the prayers and tunes he will encounter throughout his life. Shabbat and holiday customs, as well as laws and traditions, are lovingly brought to life on a very individual level. Here, a child learns the Hebrew and Judaic studies to become a thriving community member.

To quote the hockey great, Wayne Gretsky: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

Students at YP thrive in their learning environment as staff members continuously collaborate to ensure they are supporting each student's individual needs by providing them with tools to learn, grow, and succeed. This approach allows students to feel empowered throughout their journey and to attend school with confidence and joy.

We believe that children are not the people of tomorrow. They are people today. And we respect them as individuals.

Parent love letters.

Yeshivah Prep is a small and homey school in which Michael is always happy to go. Throughout the year, we have seen such positive changes in his overall development. We know as parents, and as an educator myself, that success can be met when the child receives the optimal support and guidance and we have seen this through the school. We are so grateful for the work the therapists and teachers have done with Michael, and we look forward to another successful year for Michael at YP.

Not only can my son read well now, but he has a high self-esteem, and a connection to Torah and mitzvot and our community customs that he wasn’t getting anywhere else. Plus, I’ve never seen him happier!

From the moment I walked into Yeshivah prep, I knew it was the right school. I loved how warm the staff was. Seeing the kids walk through the hallway smiling and excited with their teachers behind them, was very heartwarming. This was our son’s first year there, and I can’t describe the love of Torah he has. He is the first one Friday night to tell us every detail about the Parasha. The Hebrew and English curriculum is fantastic. I am so thankful to Hashem to have a school like YP so close to home.

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Meet Our Educators

Mrs. Paulina Salem

Principal

Paulina Salem is a seasoned educator and school leader with over 15 years of experience in general and special education, school administration, and student development. She oversees all aspects of Yeshivah Prep’s operations, including curriculum development, staff supervision, behavioral intervention, admissions, and fostering a positive school culture.

Paulina began her career in education after earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Barnard College, Columbia University, and a Master’s degree in Special Education from Brooklyn College. She holds New York State certification in both general and special education. She is currently enrolled in a doctorate program through Yeshiva University in Educational Leadership. 

Prior to her current role, Paulina spent over a decade at the Yeshivah of Flatbush, where she taught elementary and high school students, led curriculum initiatives, and served as Assistant Director of Campus Life. In that capacity, she spearheaded student leadership programs, implemented Responsive Classroom practices, and supported students with diverse learning and behavioral needs.

In addition to her formal education and professional experience, Paulina is a graduate of the YOULead and Talent Educators fellowships, both of which focus on leadership development in Jewish day schools.

Known for her strengths in classroom management, curriculum coordination, parent communication, and educational leadership, she is committed to creating inclusive, nurturing, and high-achieving school environments. Paulina lives with her husband, David, and their five incredible children. 

Meet Our Educators

Mrs. Rivky Teitelbaum

MS, OTR/L, Director of Related Services

Mrs. Rivky Teitelbaum serves as the Director of Related Services at Yeshivah Prep, where she leads a dedicated team committed to providing individualized therapeutic support to students. With nearly two decades of experience in pediatric occupational therapy, Mrs. Teitelbaum has been instrumental in developing and implementing research-based programs that address the unique needs of each student.

A graduate of Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, Mrs. Teitelbaum earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy in 2007. Since joining Yeshivah Prep in 2012, she has utilized her expertise and training to design individualized therapeutic protocols and oversee class-wide programs such as NeuroNet, a learning readiness initiative that enhances critical skills in reading, math, and handwriting.

Her approach emphasizes a “bottom-up” therapeutic model, focusing on addressing foundational challenges to create lasting change and help each student reach their full potential.

Meet Our Educators

Mrs. Devorah Roth

Director of Judaic Studies

Devorah Roth is a veteran educator and school leader with over four decades of experience in Judaic Studies and special education. Since 2000, she has been a key figure at Yeshivah Prep, where she currently serves as Hebrew Educational Coordinator. In this role, Devorah oversees staff supervision, curriculum development, and instructional quality for the Hebrew department, while also supporting the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students in collaboration with clinical teams.

Mrs. Roth’s leadership extends beyond academics, encompassing parent engagement, student activities, and IEP-related support for all of our students.

Prior to her administrative leadership, Devorah taught third and fourth grade Hebrew language and Judaic studies at Yeshivah Prep, working extensively with students in self-contained special education classrooms. She began her career in early childhood education and held long-term teaching positions at Yeshiva Ateret Torah and Beth Jacob Day School where she became known for her compassionate teaching style and her early interventions in identifying and supporting students with special needs.

A graduate of Beth Jacob Academy and the Beth Jacob Teacher’s Institute of Jerusalem, Devorah holds a Teacher’s Diploma with a specialization in Early Childhood Education. She is deeply committed to ongoing professional development, having attended numerous workshops and conferences on topics including functional behavioral assessment, reading interventions, and teaching social skills to students with diverse needs.

With a lifelong passion for education, Devorah Roth brings deep expertise, warmth, and a collaborative spirit to her work, inspiring both her students and colleagues.