Among the new faces in the hallways this fall are four teachers, who have joined the high school community from the now-closed Shalhevet Middle School: Mr. Jonathan Gilbert, known as “Mr. G”; Rabbi Yehoshua Gabbai, formerly the middle school’s principal; Hebrew teacher Morah Michal Davis; and English teacher Mrs. Michelle Crincolli.
These teachers will continue to teach the eighth grade students — a one-year addition to Shalhevet High School — while also teaching other high school classes. Rabbi Gabbai, the founding principal of the middle school, has taught Judaic Studies at Shalhevet for 11 years and will teach 11th and 12th grade Chumash. Mr. G, a math teacher at Shalhevet for nine years, will teach Algebra 1 and Algebra 2, and Mrs. Crincolli, an English teacher at Shalhevet, since October of last year, will teach 11th grade British Literature.
“I am very excited to have some of the best middle school teachers join the high school faculty,” General Studies Principal Mr. Phu Tranchi told The Boiling Point.
“They are already a part of the Shalhevet family, so I’m not worried about them adjusting to the culture of the school,” he said. “I think they’re going to jump right in and be stars in the high school as well.”
Current high school students, that are graduates of Shalhevet Middle School, were thrilled at the news. Not only were students consoled that their former teachers are able to keep their jobs, but they also strongly believe that they will be great additions to the high school.
“I think it’s great that Rabbi Gabbai is going to be able to come teach in the high school,” said sophomore Leora Nimmer, Shalhevet Middle School class of ’09. “He’s been a part of our Shalhevet community for a very long time and the closure of the middle-elementary school shouldn’t affect his opportunity to continue contributing to Shalhevet.”
“I think Mr. G coming to the high school is an amazing addition,” said junior Adam Sharabi, another former student of Mr. G. “He is an excellent teacher. He is a combination of funny and serious. He always gets work done.”
Although it is a great opportunity for many teachers, they admit that it might be challenging to adjust. Although some aspects of teaching will have to change, others may not be flexible.
“I do not think a lot of the same humor will work in the high school,” said Mr. Gilbert, answering questions via e-mail. “I certainly have many personality traits that define me and will not change so much; for instance, I am just naturally always talking with my hands, never standing still, have high energy and enthusiasm, etc… and that won’t change.”
Rabbi Gabbai also believes that teaching high school classes will be more challenging.
“I think that teaching high school will be harder, challenging, and fun,” Rabbi Gabbai said. “Regarding my sense of humor, I will need to see if the same humor will work; if not, I will have to adjust myself to the older students.
“I have heard great things about the High School Students and I am looking forward to work closely with them,” he added.
