FOND FAREWELLS 2026 (listed in order of tenure)
Moran Granvitz | Part-time Hebrew Teacher
Ms. Granvitz joined McGillis last Fall to teach 8th Grade Hebrew. Though she had never taught in the classroom before, she embraced the role and designed thoughtful lessons and fun activities for the 8th Grader students. She demonstrated creativity, enthusiasm, and kindness every day and quickly became a member of our kehilah. We will miss you and we’re grateful you joined us this past year!
Jennifer Staniforth | Part-time PE Teacher
Coach Jennifer joined McGillis this past year as a part-time PE Teacher. After many years of teaching elementary students, she enjoyed working with our 4th and 7th graders and leading a MS Kehilah Crew. From the very beginning, she demonstrated limud l’shma - learning for the sake of learning - and we were impressed with how quickly she formed relationships with students. We are excited for her to pursue a new full-time opportunity, working with her brother. Thank you for a great year, Coach Jennifer!
Brook Blackshaw | TLC 4th Grade Teacher
For the past 3 years, Ms. Brook has taught 4th graders in the TLC and helped coach our cross-country team. Ms. Brook quickly became part of our community, embracing our value of kehilah by participating in the many experiences McGillis offers students. She moved to Utah from the East Coast and has enjoyed living in Salt Lake City and exploring the outdoors. As she and her fiancée return to the East Coast to be closer to their families, we wish her all the best. Thank you, Ms. Brook!
Freddy Ruiz | Maintenance Technician
Freddy just finished his 5th year at McGillis. He has been a tremendous partner for our Maintenance Supervisor, Bob Gill, and together they kept our building operating optimally and remaining clean and beautiful inside and out. Freddy has long wanted to spend more time on his passion for filmmaking, and he hopes to spend more time getting into that work and field in the year ahead. Freddy has demonstrated tikkun olam, as he has diligently helped to repair the world of McGillis with his service to our campuses and facilities during his time with us. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors!
Monica Gomez | 2nd Grade Teacher
Ms. Monica joined McGills 8 years ago, and she has patiently and calmly guided our 2nd Grade students ever since. Ms. Monica sees the unique and special qualities of every student, and she embodies the value of derech eretz - respect for all. She cares deeply about helping students explore their own identities and wants to make sure every student is seen, supported, and accepted for who they are. We will miss her and wish her all the best on her next adventure. Thank you, Ms. Monica!
Lauren Kidd Wolf | Middle School Math Teacher
Ten years ago, Ms. Lauren joined McGillis to teach in the Lower School. She taught 1st and 2nd grades before making the jump to teach Middle School Math. As a Lower School teacher, she taught students to read and write, and she always had a passion for mathematics. Five years ago, she began working with our Middle Schoolers, demonstrating limud l’shma - learning for the sake of learning. During her time in Middle School, Ms. Kidd helped numerous 8th Grade students prepare for high-level high school Math classes. Ms. Kidd loves engaging with students about different math concepts, joining the MS trips, and leading a Kehilah Crew. We will miss her and wish her all the best!
Michael VanTyne | Director of Operations
Michael has served McGillis for 11 years, and over his tenure as Director of Technology-turned-Director of Operations, he has transformed McGillis. Michael inherited a sparse technology infrastructure and worked with little historical information about our systems to bring McGillis into the 21st century. He spearheaded upgrades to our security systems and was an instrumental leader in the renovation of West Campus and the outdoor improvements at Main Campus last summer. As he heads into retirement, he leaves us with technology and operating systems that serve both campuses, as well as a building maintenance timeline we'll follow for decades. Michael has lived the value of gemilut hasadim, as there are so many of his good, kind, and creative deeds McGillis has benefited from over the past decade. We will miss MVT!
Anne Goldberg | 5th Grade Teacher
Ms. Goldberg joined McGillis 12 years ago to teach 5th Grade, and she has done an exceptional job preparing our 5th graders for Middle School. Although she is always up for having fun in the classroom, she has high expectations for her students and knows what they are capable of. She accepts every student for who they are and helps them reach their potential. She cares deeply about our kehilah, and she has a gift for creating a sense of community in her classroom every year. Ms. Goldberg loves the outdoor adventures of 5th Grade and teaching CSI classes (especially Circus Arts). We will greatly miss Ms. Goldberg, but she’s promised to come back and sub for us next year!