Ms. Dankner believes that children’s educational experiences define their perspectives

on life, and that it is our responsibility to cultivate talent and nurture innate curiosity,

instill a love for learning, and commitment to Tikkun Olam. She received a master’s of

education in educational psychology - gifted education from McGill University in Canada and has completed the National Association of Gifted Children program. Her career spans three decades in two countries and in an array of positions including teacher, educational consultant, and school administrator. Ms. Dankner sees Jewish values as a vehicle for the moral and character development of students, and as a system for informing curricular and programmatic decisions.

Mr. Scarlata believes that the foundation of any great school is the formation of dynamic

learning spaces and a respectful and responsible community. He earned a bachelor’s

degree in business finance and his master’s of educational leadership and policy

studies from California State University, Northridge. He began his career at Milken in 2005, and has held positions in mathematics, athletics, advisory, and technology. In addition to his work as the assistant principal, Mr. Scarlata also serves as the chair of the STEAM department and the chair of the MIX event. Overall, he values creating connections for students to programs, people and curriculum that will ignite their passion for learning.

Rabbi Aaron Finkelstein teaches the Beit Midrash classes and serves as the Middle School Rabbi at Milken. Originally from Berkeley and a longtime "Ramahnik,” he graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor’s in political science as well as Jewish and Near Eastern Studies, and received semikha (rabbinic ordination) from Yeshivat Chovevei Torah in 2011. He was the founding rabbi of Prospect Heights Shul in Brooklyn, New York, served as the Assistant Rabbi of Congregation Sherith Israel in Nashville and the chair of the Nashville Board of Rabbis. Rabbi Finkelstein was a 2015-2016 fellow in Yeshiva University’s certificate program in experiential Jewish education, and taught Judaic studies at both Hannah Senesh Community Day School in Brooklyn and Akiva School in Nashville. In addition to hobbies like basketball and cycling, Rabbi Finkelstein is an avid cook and baker who loves to putter in the kitchen and host meals with his wife Julie.

Mr. Kim-Seda partners with the Middle School leadership team and faculty to create a

supportive professional community where teachers can be lifelong learners and

improve their skills in order to best educate our students. In addition to teaching in the

Humanities Department, Mr. Kim-Seda mentors new teachers and facilitates

professional development opportunities for all faculty. He holds a master’s in public

policy from Harvard University and a master’s in education from Lesley University. Mr. Kim-Seda came to Milken in 2009 and brings more than 20 years of experience as an educator to the Middle School.

Ms. Katzir was born in Israel and moved to Los Angeles at the age of 13. A Licensed

Marriage and Family Therapist, she holds a bachelor’s in psychology from UC Santa Cruz

and a master’s in clinical psychology, with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy,

from Pepperdine University. Ms. Katzir’s experience includes providing psychotherapy to children, adolescents, couples and families, conducting developmental assessments, coaching trainees and educators, and leading workshops in self-regulation, social-emotional development, safety and boundaries, and relationship-building. She previously worked at Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles where she helped nurture and supported mentoring relationships and led the development of an online mentoring program.

Ms. Dunker partners with Middle School faculty, parents, students, and leadership to

provide support and enrichment specifically tailored to each child’s academic strengths

and needs. Ms. Dunker holds a master’s in education from Simmons College

in Boston. In her fifth year at Milken, Ms. Dunker brings over 19 years of educational

fieldwork, having served in multiple capacities throughout the Boston and Los Angeles

areas, including working as an educational therapist since 2003.