Student Services
Meet our Team
Dr. Sara Casen: School Psychologist
Dr. Casen graduated from Fordham University in New York City with a Doctorate in School Psychology, and a MS. Ed with an emphasis in Therapeutic Interventions. She was awarded the Pupil Personal Credential, as well as the Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) credential. A Hillel alumna, Dr. Casen focuses on student social-emotional development, including overseeing the Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program at Hillel.
The best to way to contact her is via email at: scasen@hillelhebrew.org.
Ms. Jacquelynn Johnson: Director of Student Support
Ms. Johnson graduated with a Masters in Education from C.S.U. Dominguez Hills and a B.A. in Economics from USC. She was awarded a Multiple Subjects Credential in K-12 Education. Jackie started working at Hillel in 2021. Ms. Johnson leads our Student Support Department, supervises our Center for Talented Youth (CTY) program, coordinates MAP Growth and Dibels testing, coordinates all outside support services for Hillel and helps students and families with academic concerns.
The best way to contact her is via email at: jjohnson@hillelhebrew.org.
Gifted and Talented Program
Hillel's Gifted & Talented program, the first of its kind among Orthodox Jewish day schools on the West coast, makes challenging and appropriate educational materials available to identified gifted students throughout the day. By means of curriculum modification, differentiation and certified staff educators, students receive appropriately challenging instruction throughout the day. Hillel recognizes its partner, the University of California San Diego, in training its staff to lead this much-needed and successful program that serves so many students.
Resources and Links
- California Association for the Gifted https://cagifted.org
- The National Association for Gifted Children http://www.nagc.org/
- Hoagies' Gifted Education Page https://www.hoagiesgifted.org/
Dr. Casen recommends the following resources and links for further information related to Social-Emotional Learning:
- Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL): https://casel.org/
- Social Emotional Learning Alliance for California: https://sel4ca.org/
Ms. Jackie Johnson recommends the following links and resources related to supporting children's learning needs :
- Understood - for learning and attention issues www.understood.org
- All kinds of Minds https://www.allkindsofminds.org/parent-toolkit
