Kadima Day School

Our Educational Team

We firmly believe that the excellence of a school is determined by the strength of its faculty. Accordingly, we work hard to attract and retain outstanding individuals who bring knowledge and enthusiasm to the classroom and model the values we strive to instill. Kadima's staff is dedicated professionals committed to creating a positive educational experience for each child.

Michael J. Jacobson - Principal
Cheryl Queenan - Administrator
Tami Cronin - General Studies
Gail Korinow - Judaic Studies
Emily Porten - General Studies
Tara DeMellia - Classroom Aide
Sarah Brent - Art
Erica Cloutier - Music

Michael Jacobson, Principal

Michael "Jake" joins us with more than 34 years of experience in elementary school education. He served as an elementary school principal for 20 years in Newburyport, MA, and Essex, MA, where he focused on creating a climate and culture that nurture educational excellence and build a sense of community. His use of humor and empathy are well known to the thousands of students with whom he has worked. Prior to his administrative positions, Jake was an elementary school teacher for 14 years. He holds a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Development from Wheelock College and a BS in Sociology from Boston University. He is also a day school consultant for PEJE (Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education). Jake resides in Bradford with his wife, Ann and their three sons. When he allows himself some down time, which isn't often, Jake enjoys fly fishing, camping, gardening and playing music with his band, "The Memphis Sun Band".

Cheryl Queenan, Administrator

Cheryl has served as the Administrator of Kadima, and previously SSDS, for five years. She brings with her extensive experience as an office manager and administrator in the corporate world. After her two children were born, she worked in the Haverhill Public School System as an administrator for over ten years. Cheryl has served on numerous boards and committees, the Middle School Task Force, Principal Search Committees, Site Councils and the Crisis Management Team. She was instrumental in developing an emergency evacuation plan for the HPS system. Kadima is fortunate to benefit from not only Cheryl's business and administrative talents, but also from her unwavering sense of integrity, heartfelt commitment to the importance of Jewish day school education, and genuine love of children. She enjoys spending time with her family, taking long walks on the beach and reading her favorite novels.

Tami Cronin, General Studies

Tami is an OCCS/DEEC certified Lead Teacher and has been teaching early childhood for the past 14 years. In addition to her teaching experience, she has been the Coordinator of Early Childhood Programs and Curriculum for St. Mel Independent Day School in Gloucester, MA, and has served on School Accreditation committees, Principal Search committees, Parent Advisory boards and Scholarship panels for the Peabody Chamber of Commerce. She attended Bridgewater State College with a major in Special Education and North Shore Community College with a major in Nursing. She enjoys seeing the tremendous growth that occurs throughout a child's first year of formal education. "To be a part of this process is truly a privilege and an honor." Tami resides in Peabody with her husband Rick and their dog Max. They have five grown children and one granddaughter (though no one can believe she is a granny!). She enjoys traveling, camping and skiing with her family. Tami's exuberance, creativity and phenomenal rapport with children make Kadima a truly special place.

Gail Korinow, Jewish Studies

Gail "Yaffah" has been teaching in religious and day schools since 1973, including the Solomon Schechter Day School of Westchester, NY, and the Solomon Schechter Secondary School of Skokie, IL, where she opened the Hebrew department. Yaffah was a founding parent of Solomon Schechter Day School of the Merrimack Valley, where she taught for 21 years and served as the Head of School for 10 years. Yaffah has developed and taught in virtually every grade at SSDS, from pre-k through Kitah Heh. Yaffah was a teacher at Camp Yavneh, Northwood, NH for 14 summers and is the Family Educator at Temple Emanu-el, Haverhill. She spent a sabbatical year in Israel, studying in Yakar, Matan and Elul. She has been featured in PEJE's publication, Noteworthy Practices in Jewish Day School Education. Yaffah holds a BA from Barnard College and an MA in Hebrew Literature from Teacher's Institute of the Jewish Theological Seminary. She lives in Haverhill with her husband, Rabbi Ira, and is the proud mother of three day school graduates. She loves to read and crochet custom designed Kippot.

Emily Porten, General Studies

Emily is the newest member of the Kadima Community Day School faculty. She comes to us with over ten years of teaching experience in grades one to three. Her qualifications include a Massachusetts teaching credential, a BA from Boston University in Sociology, an M. Ed. in Elementary Education from the University of Massachusetts and a Montessori teaching credential. She is trained in Responsive Classroom and the Ortin-Gillingham and Project Read literacy programs. Emily is currently working towards a second M. Ed. in Moderate Special Needs through Lesley College. She has taught in both the private and public sectors. Her experience in the private sector includes teaching grades one to three at Montessori Educare, Summit Montessori School and the Andover School of Montessori. She worked as a third grade Science Specialist at the Kingsley Montessori School developing a third grade lab science curriculum. Emily served on the Association of Independent Schools of New England evaluating schools for accreditation. Emily, her husband and three children Hanna, Rachel and Archie, live in North Andover MA. Her hobbies include knitting, exercising at the gym, cooking and beading. She brings enthusiasm, creativity and a love of teaching to her new position at Kadima.

Tara DeMellia, Classroom Aide

Tara joins our program with over 10 years of childcare experience as a full time nanny and teacher's aide. Since 2005, Tara has served as an Educational Support Person and Para-Professional in the Haverhill School system with grades ranging from pre-school to high school. Tara attended Fitchburg State College, majoring in Film and Video Production, and is currently attending Northern Essex Community College, with a concentration in Communications/Arts and Early Childhood Education classes. Tara brings to Kadima her passion for dance, music, and the arts as well as a love for inspiring children to always be positive, be creative, and try their best.

Sarah Brent, Art

Sarah is currently working toward her degree in Early Childhood Education at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill. She earned an Associates Degree in Visual Arts from the Community College of Vermont in Burlington, VT in 2005. She is excited to have the opportunity to combine her two passions, art and teaching young children, at Kadima. She loves to encourage children to celebrate their individuality through the process of creating art. Sarah resides in Amesbury and enjoys sewing, making jewelry, painting, crocheting and any other art project she can find the time to do.

Erica Cloutier, Music

Erica graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2005 and has since been teaching private piano and voice lessons at Quality Music Lessons in Salem, NH and the West Newbury School of Music in West Newbury. She has also directed small chorus groups for the West Newbury Memorial Day Parades and a parent and tot music program, where she incorporates music and movement. She loves working with children and is always trying to think of new ways to get them to love music. She lives in Amesbury, MA, and loves writing and recording her original songs, playing piano, singing, and reading.

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