Directory

Faculty & Staff Directory

Department

Last Name

Jacob Kesten

2025

Rice University - Master's

Bio

Jacob joined EWS mid-year in 2025 to help with Calculus III and Integrated Math II Honors courses. He obtained his undergraduate and graduate degrees all from Rice University, where he specialized in Algebra and Category theory, taught Calculus II, and was involved with the Center for Teaching Excellence. Before returning to Rice for the PhD program, Jacob taught Precalculus and Calculus II at a private boarding school in Maryland.

In addition to math, Jacob especially enjoys cooking, particularly Cajun food from his home state of Louisiana, and traveling, either with his family, to practice the Russian language, or to scuba dive.
Ms. Tyffany Khoh

Athletics Operations Coordinator

2020

(832) 204-5900

The University of Texas at Austin - The University of Texas at Austin – B.S.
The University of Texas at Austin - The University of Texas at Austin - M. Ed.

Bio

Tyffany started as a part-time coach at EWS in 2020 before becoming the Athletics Operations Coordinator in 2021. In addition to handling operations, she has coached middle school basketball, cross country, swim, and softball at Emery. Tyffany earned a master's degree in sport management from The University of Texas at Austin and discovered her passion for working in athletics while working for Texas Athletics before joining Emery. In her free time, Tyffany enjoys snowboarding and traveling to Asia with friends and family.
Mr. Brandon Kirby

Upper School Science Teacher

2014

(832) 204-5900

Prairie View A&M University - B.S.
Vanderbilt University - M.S.

Bio

Brandon has been with EWS since 2014. Before arriving at EWS, Brandon taught in public and several private schools in Tennessee and Alabama. Brandon has taught various high school science classes, including environmental science, biology, and chemistry. In addition to teaching, Brandon has served as the sponsor for several Science Olympiad teams, assistant coach for a Trap and Skeet team, Student Government Association sponsor, and technology specialist. Formerly the Technology Department Chair and Levine Innovation Lab Coordinator, Brandon teaches various technology classes, including Computer Programming I and II, Computer Science: Java, Robotics I and II, and Principles of Technology and Design courses. Brandon also works with several student groups who’ve expressed interest in web design, game design, and other STEM projects. In his free time, Brandon enjoys archery, gardening, hunting, fishing (inland, coastal, deep sea), learning new programming languages, spending time with his family, and designing experiments for home and school.
Rabbi Jerry Kudan

Middle School Judaics Teacher

2024

(832) 204-5900

Hebrew Union College - Rabbinic Ordination & M.A. in Hebrew Letters
Prescott College - M.Ed.
Skidmore College - B.A.

Bio

Rabbi Jerry joined EWS in 2024 and is very excited to be teaching 6th grade Torah! He and his wife recently moved to Houston from Los Angeles, where he received rabbinic ordination and a Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters degree from Hebrew Union College. During rabbinic school, he led a small synagogue for five years, served as a spiritual care chaplain at Cedars Sinai Medical Center, and worked with college students at Hillel. He also holds a Master of Education degree from Prescott College where he studied student-centered learning methods. As a graduate of a progressive high school himself, he is passionate about helping students apply their studies to their own lives. He recently completed writing a book with interactive ways to find personal meaning, wisdom, and connection with God in prayers from the Hebrew Bible.

The Emery/Weiner School

9825 Stella Link Road Houston, TX 77025
Phone: (832) 204-5900 Fax: (832) 204-5910

A private, pluralistic Jewish, college-preparatory middle and high school serving grades 6-12.
Click here for more information.