About Teach NJ

As Teach NJ’s executive director, Katie Katz oversees Teach NJ’s annual campaign, community engagement and mobilization efforts across the state. She joined Teach NJ from the Englewood Health Foundation where, as a major gifts officer, she managed a portfolio of major donors and cultivated philanthropic partnerships between donors, physicians, and Englewood Health. Prior to her time at Englewood Health, Katie worked at The New Jewish Home in Manhattan as associate director of capital campaigns. A third-generation New Jersey resident and Jewish day school alumna, Katie holds an MBA from Brandeis University in nonprofit management as well as a master’s degree in Jewish professional leadership. She lives in Teaneck with her husband, Ezra, and their three children.

As the Director of Government Programs for Teach Coalition, Yosef oversees all government program work that Teach does on behalf of its member school network and beyond. Yosef’s team is responsible for ensuring that yeshivas and day schools access tens of millions of government dollars and services yearly. Yosef has worked in nonpublic school education and policy since 2009 and joined Teach in 2014. Previously, he founded and ran a cutting-edge youth program and center for chassidic teens in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.  

Yosef was born and raised in the Washington, D.C. area, received his BA from Columbia University and an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Brooklyn College. He lives in Crown Heights with his wife and their six children.  

Maya Joyandeh serves as Regional Field Director, having joined Teach Coalition in July 2021. For the last 10 years, Maya has worked as a Medical Social Worker, providing counseling and services to those suffering from life-limiting illnesses in NY and NJ. Maya has a passion for serving her community, specifically recruiting and assisting new families in the Welcoming Committee, chairing the annual dinner, and serving as the Events and Programming Committee Director at her shul. Maya also kickstarted and moderates the "Neighborhood" groups on Facebook, which assists residents of Bergen County (and nearby communities) in locating household items, food and clothing for free from other families that no longer need it.

Maya received her undergraduate degree from Stern College for Women in 2006, and a Masters in Social Work at NYU. Maya lives in Teaneck with her husband and three children. In her free time, Maya enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and hiking with her family.

Adam Katz serves as the Associate Director of Government Programs for Teach Coalition. Working with schools throughout the country, he helps them navigate government programs and ensure they take maximum advantage of all available funding sources. Adam brings a wide range of skills and experience to the organization. He has worked at the Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center Think Tank for Urban and Regional Policy as well as the US Navy, started his own real estate advisory firm, served on the board of directors of a nonprofit, and is an author. Adam earned a master's degree in Public Policy from Northeastern University and a bachelors degree in Economics from University of Massachusetts Amherst. Adam lives in Passaic with his wife and three children.

Originally born in Chicago, Ronit grew up in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley and attended YULA. After graduating from Brandeis University, she went on to become a television producer at the CourtTV Network in New York City. These days, in addition to her role at Teach Coalition, she’s also a Staff Writer for The Jewish Link of New Jersey. as well as a substitute teacher at Yavneh Academy. She lives with her husband (Stuart) and three children in Teaneck.