Gary Pretsfelder is Schechter Manhattan’s longtime Principal and one of the school’s longest-serving faculty.  He oversees all areas of the school’s education program, including teaching, learning, staffing, and professional development.  Gary has been instrumental in introducing and developing a range of curricula and other initiatives at the school during his tenure, and works closely with staff in a supervisory capacity and with parents in addressing the individual needs of their children. Gary’s innovative contributions to the Schechter Manhattan curriculum include the exhibition program and supplementary reading program in the Middle School, introducing and developing our original writing program, and bringing the Names, Not Numbers program and the TEVA experience to our students.

Gary is a graduate of the Day School Leadership Training Institute (DSLTI) at the Jewish Theological Seminary and has a Master’s in Education degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He has worked as a Jewish educator since 1989 and has played an active role around the country in mentoring aspiring administrators of other Jewish Day Schools.