New Head of School for MJGDS

After a nationwide search, the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School has selected Jon Mitzmacher as the new head of school, beginning with the 2010-2011 school year.

Mitzmacher is currently the head of school of the Solomon Schechter Day School of Las Vegas, a school he founded with six children in first grade four-and-a-half years ago and developed into a full K-5 elementary school with more than 80 students. Synagogue leaders there credit Mitzmacher with the school’s success.

“We are absolutely delighted that Jon will be coming to the Martin J. Gottlieb Day School,” said search committee chair Doris Goldstein. “Everyone we talked to during our search described Jon as a forward-thinking educational leader who engaged students and achieved academic excellence. This is a tremendous opportunity to grow our school to a new level.”

The new head of school characterizes his educational philosophy as one of pragmatism: “I believe that every educational situation is different, and that to be successful one needs to be willing to try anything and everything to fulfill one’s mission. Students learn in different ways and have varying needs,” Mitzmacher said. “It is our responsibility to provide a wide array of learning experiences to meet those needs.”

Mitzmacher, who grew up in the San Francisco Bay area, has a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of California at Berkeley; a Masters of Arts in education and Masters in Business Administration with an emphasis in nonprofit management from the American Jewish University; and is completing an Ed.D in Jewish education from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America.

“From just our initial visit, my wife, Jaimee, and I already feel welcome in our soon-to-be new home and we look forward to meeting the entire community when we relocate over the summer,” Mitzmacher said. “Our decision to come to Jacksonville is not just a professional one. We are coming to raise our children in a place we hope is our home for years to come.” Their four-year-old daughter, Eliana, will be entering kindergarten at the day school, while their two-year-old daughter, Maytal, will be a student in the Jacksonville Jewish Center preschool. Jaimee Mitzmacher is a special education teacher.

Both the school and the community appealed to the Mitzmachers, who visited here together in early February. “When I was looking for my next headship and community, it was very important for me and my family to find a school rich with both tradition and potential located in a dynamic Jewish community. Our visit to MJGDS satisfied us on all accounts,” Mitzmacher said.

Mitzmacher said he is already thinking and working hard on his new position so that he can hit the ground running. “To me, there is no more serious responsibility a person can have than being entrusted with the education of a child.”

The Martin J. Gottlieb Day School, a Solomon Schechter School operated by the Jacksonville Jewish Center, offers kindergarten through eighth grade and is open to all members of the Jewish community. For information about admissions, please contact Talie Zaifert at 268-4200 extension 147 or talie.zaifert@mjgds.org.