Leigh Jacobson

Spotlight Editor

Ms. Shauna Donfeld, the new upper school counselor, officially started working at Milken at the start of the second semester. And she’s already gotten a head start on things, emailing students over winter break to let them know that she’s always available for a chat.

Donfeld is a passionate traveler, and once took a year off to go backpacking through India, Eastern and Southern Africa (Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, South Africa and Mozambique), Nepal, Southeast Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam), Japan, and South America (Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru and Brazil).She also used to be a reading teacher in the Malibu district before going back to the University of Washington for her masters degree in social work.

Although she has only recently arrived, she says she feels right at home.

“I love the sense of genuine community,” she said. “I’m looking forward to meeting each and every student.”

Additionally, Donfeld feels close to Milken students because of her similar upbringing. Having attended Sinai Akiba Academy and then Brentwood High School, she has a good feel of the environment Milken students live in.

“I wanted to work with students who have a Jewish background and values but who also face serious academics, so that I would be able to help them navigate that process,” Donfeld said. “It’s something that I can personally relate to.”

For now, Donfeld is just excited to get down to business.

“Every conversation I’ve had with students so far has just blown me away,” she said. “I can’t wait to have more.”