Employee Directory

Mrs. Samuels grew up in South Africa where she attended school and graduated with a teaching diploma in Accounting and Economics. After immigrating to the USA she worked part time at TVT, moving on to College Counseling Assistant and then as the MS/US Administrative Assistant. With her early years spent in the classroom Mrs. Samuels loves that as the Administrative Assistant she still has regular contact with the students.

In her free time, Mrs. Samuels loves reading, doing jigsaw puzzles, watching sport, going on safari and walking her dogs.

“Mature historical knowing teaches us to…go beyond our own image, to go beyond our brief life,
and to go beyond the fleeting moment in human history into which we have been born.” ~Sam
Wineburg.

Dr. Sardo believes that studying history is valuable not only because it helps us understand where
we’ve come from, but also because it requires that we see the world from perspectives beyond our
own. Dr. Sardo completed a B.A. in government and philosophy from The College of William and
Mary in Virginia, before earning a M.A. and Ph.D. in political science at Northwestern University,
where he wrote a dissertation on political responsibility in the history of political thought. He
previously taught at Occidental College, UC Irvine, and Northwestern’s Center for Talent
Development, and has published scholarly articles and book chapters on the history of political
philosophy, responsibility, and global justice.

Outside of the classroom, Dr. Sardo spends his time reading, hiking and visiting the beach with his
wife and daughter, playing tabletop miniatures games, and cheering for the Buffalo Sabres.

“Music is a team sport. We all succeed together!”

“I am excited to be working with and supporting the amazing 4th graders at TVT.”

“I love teaching because I love the feeling of accomplishment in seeing my students grow in their knowledge of Jewish Studies and their love of their heritage. My work has a purpose. It is an honor to have the opportunity to touch the lives of so many young people and contribute to their future success.”

Ms. Siegel received her B.S. degree in Elementary Education from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and was graduating Valedictorian of her class. She received a Multiple Subject Teaching Credentials from the state of Colorado, as well as from the state of California. In addition, she holds Hebrew teaching credentials from the Bureaus of Jewish Education of Colorado and California. Mrs. Siegel also participated in writing the Tal Am Hebrew program and was selected to instruct other teachers how to teach Hebrew. After graduating from college, she taught at Theodore Herzl Jewish Day School in Denver, Colorado. When she got married and moved to California, she taught at Brandeis Hillel Day School in Marine County. In southern California, Sheila taught at Stephen S. Wise Day School in Los Angeles. She taught kindergarten where she enjoyed integrating the secular studies with Hebrew and Jewish Studies throughout the day.

In her free time Ms. Siegel loves to read, participate in leadership seminars and loves teaching children and coming to TVT every morning to see the smiling faces of her students.

"My favorite job in the world is to enrich curious minds and spark learning. I love to learn from my students and witness all the ways they connect with their learning."