On March 30, Head of School Roslyn Benjamin announced that Elena Jaime and Paul Oberman are joining the leadership team as director of lower school and director of upper school respectively.
Now that they’ve officially joined the TCS community, rising third grade student-reporters interviewed both of them to help all of us get to know the newest members of the Pack!
Meet Elena Jaime, Director of Lower School
Why did you choose our school? – Quinn
When I visited TCS for the first time, I met amazing students who were kind, hard-working, creative, and full of joy. I knew that something magical was happening to make that possible, and I wanted to be a part of this wonderful community.
Why did you choose to be the director of lower school? – Theo
I love to learn and after I graduated from college, I decided that I would become a teacher. I think that some of the most important learning in your life happens in lower school. You learn how to be a good friend, how to ask questions, how to be brave and make mistakes, and how to build connections between yourself and the world around you. Being a part of those experiences with students brings me joy, and I look forward to doing that with the students at TCS.
What is your favorite activity to do with kids? – Mackensie D.
I love to read and I enjoy getting to know books with kids. It’s really exciting to meet new characters in books, make connections to stories I am reading, and think about how those stories change the way I see the world. Children ask the best questions, and I enjoy being part of book conversations with them.
Why is this job important? Olivia
At TCS, “the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.” I think that my job is important because I am a member of a team that includes all the adults in the lives of the students that are working to make sure TCS is a place where children can learn, have fun and belong. The most important part of my job is to ensure that everyone is talking together and working together to make that happen for all the TCS students.
Have you been to the empire state building? – RJ
Yes, but not in the way most typical visits happen. During the summer before my freshman year in high school, I was enrolled in a typing course that met once a week in the basement of the Empire State Building. I don’t think I fully appreciated how amazing that experience was. I did eventually make it to the top, but that was much later, as a second grade teacher during our study of New York City.
Meet Paul Oberman, Director of Upper School
What is your favorite thing about working in a school? – Mekayla
The people! I love getting to know the students, staff, and families. Being around such energy and curiosity all day makes mine a dream job!
What do you know about our school? – Theo
I know that children come first, just like in the name of the school. I know that project based learning is at the heart of the learning that takes place. I know that it’s a progressive school. And I know that it’s an excellent school!
How many schools have you worked at? – Mackensie D.
TCS will be my ninth school.
Why did you choose to be a doctor (Ph.D.) in your job? – James S.
I was eager to continue learning deeply about education and it seemed like the best way for me to do so. I also wanted to model the ids of being a lifelong learner.
What was your favorite vacation and why was it your favorite? – Gavin
Probably visiting Israel with my family and getting to see things that I had only read about before. In addition to all of the history it was special to hear Hebrew spoken all of the time.
