Behind the Desk

MEET OUR PANELISTS

Mrs. Dini Katzenstein is the General Studies principal of Bais Yaakov Academy in Brooklyn, NY.

Mrs. Batya Krasnow is the Limudei Kodesh principal of TAG middle school in Far Rockaway, NY.

Mrs. Deborah Herzog is the General Studies principal at Bais Yaakov Machon Ora in Passaic, NJ, where she also teaches 10th and 11th grade Spanish.

Q:

Thank you for taking the time to speak with us! We’re heading into the rough stretch from Succos to Chanukah. Lots of students get stressed now that Yom Tov is over, and school is getting more intense. What’s your advice for adjusting to the work and tests that follow?

Mrs. Katzenstein: Across the board, the following strategies are always helpful: Stay organized and on task. Keep a running list of what you need to accomplish and then tackle each item in order of priority. Try not to leave everything for the last minute. If you are struggling, talk to a teacher or principal for help. Most importantly, don’t get discouraged! Give yourself little pep talks, reminding yourself, ‘I can do this!’

Mrs. Herzog: Transitions are hard! First and foremost, make sure you are getting enough sleep! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked girls how much sleep they’ve gotten, and they say, ‘Don’t ask!’ Second, try to review the topics you covered in your classes each night. Read through your notes from that day, and if possible, from the day or two before, even if you don’t have homework that night or a test for a week or two. You will be less stressed, feel more prepared, and most likely score higher if you don’t have to cram your studying in the night before a test.

What kind of student were you in school and what inspired you to become a principal? Do you have any advice for students who were like you?

Mrs. Katzenstein: I’d love to pretend that I was the perfect model student, but honestly, I wasn’t! Still, I was zoche to get good grades, and I was always respectful and gave an attentive appearance. I was first sent out of class in 11th grade, and my father, z”l, when he heard, said “OH! Baruch Hashem you are normal!” I spent much of class doodling or writing letters and procrastinated on homework and studying. I think teachers still approved of me because I looked interested even when my mind was wandering. Being a successful student and adult requires some serious acting skills! If you had told me I’d become a principal one day, I would have doubled over with laughter. But while I was getting my degree and teaching, I realized that chinuch was something I really connected to, and well, the rest is history!

Mrs. Krasnow: I was SO not a stellar student! (Hence, becoming office monitor in 8th grade!) If I enjoyed a subject, I’d give it my all; others, I barely passed! I am a voracious reader who always gained so much knowledge from books. School wasn’t as fiercely competitive as it is now, and I was fortunate to have teachers who valued me. I advise students similar to me to focus on effort and enjoying the learning. That’s what counts most.