Jerry D. Isaak-Shapiro
Head of School
Jerry D. Isaak-Shapiro is a graduate of the prestigious two-year Jerusalem Fellowship (2001-03), which offers senior Jewish educators an opportunity to learn with colleagues from North America, Latin America, Europe and Israel, while conducting post-doctoral level research in Jewish education in Jerusalem, Israel.
Prior to moving to Jerusalem, Jerry served as Jewish Education Director at the San Francisco Jewish Community Center; as Northern California Regional Director for Hillel, supervising fifteen Northern California campuses; and as Associate Director for the Jewish Community Relations Committee for the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, during which time he was the community’s media spokesperson and Middle East specialist. In addition, for ten years he was the Executive Producer and Host/Moderator of A Jewish Perspective, a talk show seen on San Francisco’s NBC-affiliate channel four.
Jerry received his Masters in International Affairs from The George Washington University and specialized in Middle East history and foreign policy. While in Washington, he also served as Program Director for the U.S.-Japan Economic Agenda, a D.C.-based think tank, and as Chief Researcher for the Washington Bureau of The Chicago Tribune on Israel and the Middle East.
Jerry has been a teacher, prominent lecturer and scholar-in-residence for over twenty years, specializing in the areas of non-formal education, learning differentiation, Zionist thought and history and Jewish identity. He is one of five national mentor/master teachers in SuLaM, a program of Study, Leadership and Mentoring for current Heads of School, sponsored by RAVSAK (the national community day school organization). Jerry has been Head of School of The Agnon School since 2003.
Leah Spector
Assistant Head of School & Director of Judaics and Hebrew
Born in Israel, Leah Spector earned her undergraduate degree in Hearing Impaired Studies from Tel Aviv University in 1991. After moving to Cleveland that same year, she continued her education at the Siegal College of Judaic Studies, earning a Masters Degree in Judaic Studies Education in 1996. Her mission became teaching young children about Israel, Hebrew, Tanach and their Jewish identity.
Joining Agnon in 1992, Leah is responsible for developing, supervising and evaluating Agnon’s overall Judaics and Hebrew curricula, in addition to evaluating the Judaics division staff. She also develops and manages all class and event schedules as well as the master school schedule.
As Assistant Head of School & Director of Judaics and Hebrew, Leah uses her love and passion for her heritage, country and religion as an educator and administrator at The Agnon School. Her goals are to develop educated Jewish students who are proud of their identity and will become lifelong active members of the Jewish community.
Terry Pollack
Director of General Academics & Middle School Coordinator
Bringing more than 40 years of educational experience to The Agnon School, Terry Pollack is responsible for supervising the school’s general studies faculty and for developing Agnon’s general studies curriculum. He also teaches middle school social studies.
Terry earned a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University and received a M.A. in History from Case Western Reserve University. He has also completed coursework toward a Ph.D. at University of Virginia and University of Minnesota.
Terry’s professional career includes producing television programs for WVIZ and directing Jewish camps. He was a National Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY) Regional Director for the Reform Jewish Movement, Director of the Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA), Director of the World of Difference program for the Anti-Defamation League and Social Studies Department Chair at Shaker Heights High School for 15 years.
Terry joined Agnon in 2005. In addition to his responsibilities at the school, Terry currently is a consultant with the Education Department of the Cleveland Museum of Art and the College Board, training history teachers in Advanced Placement U.S. History.
Cathy Schreiber
Director of Early Childhood Education
Cathy Schreiber, a Cleveland native, has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Learning Disabilities/Behavioral Disorders from Miami University. She also earned a Masters of Arts in Educational Administration from Ursuline College.
Working in several schools throughout the country, Cathy began her career in elementary education and has also taught at the middle school level. In addition, Cathy has worked with children with learning disabilities and has experience as a private tutor and religious school educator.
In 2001, Cathy began teaching in The Agnon School’s Early Childhood program. She became the Director of Early Childhood and Kindergarten in 2004 and is responsible for developing and supervising the Early Childhood and Kindergarten programs and faculty.
Cathy has traveled to Israel twice on Jewish educator trips. She is passionate about the development of young children and how the school can partner with families during the exciting early years of a child’s life.
