Mr. Pavel Lieb, who has led the Shalhevet science department as department chair for the last six years, will be leaving Shalhevet at the end of this school year, according to an email sent to the Shalhevet community this afternoon by Principal Mr. Daniel Weslow. 

Known by students, parents and staff alike by his first name, Mr. Lieb is taking the position of General Studies Principal at Yavneh Hebrew Academy, a K-8 Modern Orthodox day school located in Hancock Park and a feeder school to Shalhevet. 

“Along with leading and transforming several aspects of the science department, as well as teaching and creating multiple new classes over the last six years at Shalhevet, Pavel was instrumental in leading the Medical Society, Surf club, and Advisory Program,” wrote Mr. Weslow in an email titled “Staffing Update in Science Department” sent out today at 3:59 p.m.

Mr. Weslow said current Shalhevet Science teacher Dr. Elizabeth Basheer would become chair of the science department for next year. 

This year Pavel is teaching four courses: Environmental Science, Senior Seminar in Pharmacology and two sections of SAS Biology. 

When Pavel arrived at Shalhevet in 2017, six science teachers had left Shalhevet in the previous five years. At the time he said that he wanted students to feel gratification with what they were learning.

“The most important thing is for all of us in the science department to start generating meaningful experiences for our students,” Pavel said. “I really want every time a Shalhevet student walks into a science class, I want them to walk out with a sense of accomplishment and a sense of fulfillment.” 

A full farewell article about Mr. Lieb will be posted in the coming weeks.