Haftam Heathwood

I am an experienced educator, childcare professional, and community leader with over ten years of experience working with children and families in both educational and home-based settings. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education and Psychology and am New York State certified in Childhood Education. My background includes serving as a Hebrew teacher, general education teacher, and substitute teacher in New York City public schools.

In addition to my teaching and caregiving work, I have held leadership roles in Jewish nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. I serve as the Coordinator of the Jews of Color Cohort with the Wexner Heritage Foundation, where I help design and implement leadership development programming, facilitate community learning, and support emerging leaders. I am also a Board Member of the Jewish Women’s Foundation of New York and Co-Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Justice Committee, where I work to advance equitable grantmaking practices, inclusive governance, and community engagement.

Across all of my professional roles, I am known for being organized, dependable, and relationship-centered. I bring a multilingual, culturally responsive, and equity-driven approach to my work, with a strong commitment to supporting children, families, and communities through high-quality education and ethical leadership.

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the City College of New York, where I graduated cum laude. I am also certified by New York State in Childhood Education. My academic training combines strong foundations in pedagogy, child development, learning theory, and classroom management. My education has equipped me with the skills to design developmentally appropriate instruction, support students’ social-emotional growth, differentiate learning for diverse learners, and build inclusive, culturally responsive classrooms. This background supports my work in both general and Hebrew education, as well as in childcare and community leadership roles.