Students have only been in school for a few weeks, but everyone already knows the new Associate Head Of School, Avi Marcovitz. This Toronto native has already begun creating new opportunities for the Academy students, and his ideas for class trips have been the topic of many conversations.

Marcovitz spent the past two years working at a Jewish Day school in Arizona, where he was in charge of general and Judaic studies. Prior to working in Arizona, Marcovitz was the Dean of Students at a school in Fla. for five yeaers, a school he considers to be a larger version of the Academy.

Before working in education, Marcovitz worked in acquisition and merge, buying and selling businesses. He attended undergraduate school at the University of Wisconsin.

However, his life changed in 1996, when he went on the March of the Living with a group of students from the Florida school. While there, he discovered the joys of being an educator. He returned to school and received his Masters degree in Administration from Nova Southeastern University. He is currently working on finishing his dissertation to receive his doctorate.

“I know something incredible is going to happen every day,” Marcovitz said.

He currently teaches both an eleventh/twelfth grade and a seventh/eighth grade Chumash class. In addition, Marcovitz plans on getting to know each student personally.

Senior Shira Newman said, “Mr. Marcovitz is one of the best things to happen to this school, Judaically and secularly. He has already made such an effort to know the students on a personal level and wants to find out what we, as students, want to change about the school. He is going to do wonders for this school and the relationships between administrators and students.”

Upper School Principal, Marion Gould also thinks Marcovitz is a great addition to the school.

Gould said, “He will be an excellent representative for students, the Academy, and the community.”

She also feels his presence will renew the school’s energy and enthusiasm.

“Marcovitz has many desires for the Academy. He would like for the ninth grade to recognize the importance of forming a bond with the Jewish homeland, when they travel to Israel on their Mifgash,” Gould said. “He also has a speaker coming who Marcovitz hopes will inspire the Jewish Community as a whole. By the end of the year he would like for the students to be more self aware.”

“I’m hoping that all of the students in the school will understand and model a true love of who they are,” Marcovitz said.

Marcovitz works with Dr.. Holden and hopes he can have an influence on secular studies as well. He has a level of respect and admiration for the current administration, which he hopes to share with students.

“One major reason I came here was because of Dr. Holden. I met him a year ago, and I want the school to know how amazing and talented he is,” Marcovitz said.

In addition, Marcovitz would like students’ input on how holidays will be celebrated. He is open to any suggestions and hopes students will feel free to walk into his office at anytime to talk.

After watching him interact with students of different ages, Gould recognized his ability to effectively communicate with all students. Junior Ben Antes has developed a connection with him and feels he will help the school develop.

“I liked the way Mr. Marcovitz worked on making a connection with me, along with all the other Academy students,” Antes said.

Marcovitz has expressed his athletic abilities in marathon running and hopes to challenge Dean of Students Todd Clauer in the sport. In addition to running, he is an avid skier. In high school, Marcovitz participated in many sports including volleyball, wrestling and soccer. He was also a member of the National Honor Society and his school’s newspaper staff in high school. Both students and faculty said they look forward to developing a closer relationship with Marcovitz as the year progresses.