Mrs. Sussman Bio

YBH's exceptional secular department has long been distinguished as one of the premier academic programs in the area. Our General Studies Principal, Mrs. Chaya Sussman, is a consummate professional educator known for her dedication and caring, who is both maintaining and elevating the department's standards of excellence.

Mrs. Sussman has been a teacher and administrator for 35 years. At the conclusion of a distinguished and impressive career in public schools, she served as the Director of Instructional Services for Grades K-12 in the Port Chester-Rye District, where her supervisor referred to her as "one of the finest educators I have ever worked with." Mrs. Sussman recently concluded a special two-year position as Director of Curriculum and Professional Development for Grades K-8 at Magen David Yeshiva.

Mrs. Sussman, a graduate of Stern College, holds several graduate degrees including a Master's in English Education, Master's in Social Work (MSW), and a Professional Diploma in Educational Administration and Supervision.

Among the many general studies programs that will continue under Mrs. Sussman's leadership are the national spelling and geography bees (where YBH has had several finalists in past years), as well as book and science fairs.  There will continue to be special presentations from a world famous philatelist, who enhances the social studies program by explaining how history can be represented through the stamps of that time period.  Other programs in the works are a Museum Loan Program, where students will have access to museum artifacts as a way of deepening classroom study, as well as a Music and Song Program for the Girls Division.

This year, the Yeshiva has started the Excellence 2000 ("E2K") Program, which provides math and science enrichment for the 7th and 8th grade students.  The program includes the enrichment curriculum,  a grant of two SmartBoards, as well as wonderful professional development opportunities for YBH staff.

Mrs. Sussman works closely with the general studies staff, providing mentoring and guidance.  Our staff also attends workshops, both in and out of school, where they receive professional training to enhance their skills.  In addition to studying new teaching techniques, they also learn methods to treat the different types of learners - oral, visual, and kinesthetic.

For the younger grades, the school has acquired a Reading Specialist, who will consult with the teachers of Grades 1, 2, and 3 to perfect the comprehensive literacy program and learn how to maximize the use of small guided reading groups.  This on-site coaching will help the staff enhance the student's reading skills at this critical young age.

Mrs. Sussman will play an active part in the Language Arts Curriculum through the introduction of the "Principal Read-Aloud Ongoing Class Visit."  In this new year-long program, Mrs. Sussman "reads and teaches" a chosen grade-level novel to grades 3 through 8.  In conjunction with the reading of novels, the staff is working on further elevating the reading and writing components of language arts.  This will ensure that the YBH students understand what they have read, and can express themselves clearly and meaningfully in written form.

The significance of Yom Hashoah is enhanced through a school-wide Read Aloud program, where the general studies language arts and social studies teachers  read grade-appropriate selections to the students, providing background and understanding of the events that occurred during the Holocaust.  Upper grade students will also prepare readings to present to their classmates.

YBH firmly believes in a Chinuch that produces Bnei and Bnos Torah whose Torah values and Derech Eretz permeate every aspect of their lives.  To this end, Mrs. Sussman works closely with Rabbi Leiner and Rabbi Perlstein in ensuring that the general studies department functions in a fashion that is consistent with the Hashkafa of the Yeshiva.

Mrs. Sussman brings to YBH a striking breadth and depth of academic experience, rare talent, professionalism, poise, and commitment to the highest quality education. She is ideally suited to provide the school with the leadership and educational vision to carry it to a new level of distinction in the years to come.