Pre-K Teachers

Kia Alexander
I have spent many years working in early childhood education as a teacher, school leader, and in-home educator. I believe deeply in educating the whole child and creating environments where children have the freedom to explore their interests, learn at their own pace, and develop confidence and independence.
My teaching is influenced by the Montessori approach and emphasizes hands-on experiences, self-directed learning, and following each child’s individual strengths, needs, and emerging interests. I especially enjoy thoughtfully preparing classroom environments and materials that invite children to explore, make choices, and take an active role in their own learning.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Lesley University and am EEC licensed as an Infant, Toddler, and Lead Preschool Teacher. I am excited to bring my experience and child-centered approach to the TBS Children’s Center community!

Liz Berkman 
As an educator, I am committed to nurturing a lifelong love for learning in each and every one of my students. I aim to provide an engaging space where children can explore, play and discover in a safe and supportive environment. I believe that education is a collaborative journey that extends beyond the classroom. I am passionate about fostering meaningful connections with families and creating an inclusive and supportive learning community. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Early Intervention Specialist, I have over 25 years experience working with young children and their families and I am honored to be a part of their early educational experiences. 

Lucia Flaxman
I began my teaching career in Brazil, where I worked with children of many different ages as an English teacher, tutor, and teaching assistant. I especially enjoyed teaching English to young children and finding creative, engaging ways to introduce new language and ideas through their everyday classroom experiences.
After coming to the United States, I spent several years as an au pair, caring for children ranging from infancy through the teenage years. These experiences have given me an appreciation for how differently children grow and learn and the importance of building strong, trusting relationships with both children and families.
I am fluent in English and Portuguese and am currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Art History. I love art, language, and learning about different cultures,.

Jake Gannon
For ten years I have been fortunate enough to work in the education sector. In Hawaii, I was a lead teacher for 4/5 and 3/4 year-olds. I am now entering my 4th year as a teacher at TBS. As an educator, I am committing to teaching the students to trust in themselves and to learn by doing. Ma Ka Hana Ka Ike, a Hawaiian expression, translates to “learn by doing”. I encourage all my students to try new things, make mistakes, and learn from them. The more we learn, the more life opens up for us.

​I aim to provide a safe and welcoming classroom for all my students to feel free to explore and be creative. I am passionate about making sure each and every child feels seen and understood in a way that allows them to be their best self. I am thrilled to be a part of this community and look forward to working with you and the keiki!  Mahalo!!!

Beth Gilefsky
As a former fourth grade teacher in Needham Public Schools, watching my two daughters make their way through TBSCC inspired me to teach young children. I believe that children thrive in a child-centered environment that allows them to explore their interests while developing social skills. I strive to build a community that is warm, safe, and accessible for all children to learn and have fun. I enjoy getting to know all of my students' unique personalities and learning styles while nurturing their self esteem. Children should be encouraged to ask many questions and take risks. My primary goal is to develop enthusiastic, curious, lifelong learners.

​I have a Masters Degree in Education from Simmons College and a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Erika Hallanjaku
I am currently studying psychology and communication at Curry College. As a teacher I work to create a supportive and engaging learning environment, fostering student confidence and maintaining positive relationships with families. I have worked as a lead preschool teacher for the past two years.  ​

Leah Hough
I have over a decade of experience as a preschool teacher and hold CDA certification. I am also qualified as a Lead Teacher for both infant/toddler and preschool age groups. My teaching approach focuses on building meaningful relationships and fostering a strong classroom community. I encourage children to collaborate, learn from, and teach each other. Witnessing their growth and development is incredibly rewarding, and I am grateful to be part of their learning journey.

​In addition to teaching, I have been a nanny with my current family for the past nine years. Before arriving at TBS, I worked as a Pre-K teacher at Temple Shalom Nursery School in Newton for seven years..

Megan Jaeger
Working with kids, and in particular, being a teacher, has been something I have wanted to do ever since I was old enough to walk.
While growing up, my mom ran a home daycare out of our house,
which sparked my inspiration of wanting to do something along the
same lines as her. I have been in the childcare field since I was in middle school, starting out as a mother’s helper. Since then, I have
been a nanny, an assistant teacher in a pre-k classroom, an infant/toddler teacher, an administrator in a childcare center, and a behavior technician, working with young children who have autism. I graduated
high school from Ashland High School in 2017 and I am currently working on obtaining my lead teacher, and eventually director,
certifications through EEC to further my education in the early childhood field. I have a passion for psychology and teaching children, with watching little minds grow and develop being my favorite part. When I’m not spending my time with little ones, I enjoy playing darts in the MinuteMan Dart League, spending time with my two sisters, or
taking my dog to play fetch at the park.

Becky Scace
I have been part of the TBS Children’s Center community since 2025 and love creating a classroom where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. I especially enjoy helping children build relationships, express themselves, and develop the social-emotional skills that help them thrive.
I graduated from Emmanuel College with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a concentration in Counseling and Health and a minor in Social Work. My experience also includes working with children at Walker and interning at Franciscan Children’s Hospital, where I supported children’s emotional regulation, coping skills, and peer relationships.
My background has given me a deep appreciation for the importance of relationships in children’s development. I love getting to know each child as an individual and helping create a nurturing classroom community where every child can learn, grow, and belong.

Marianna Ramos
I’m so happy to be teaching pre-k at TBS, where I get to spend my days surrounded by children’s endless imagination and joy. I’ve always had a nurturing side, being the oldest child in my family and among my cousins, I naturally took on a caring role for those younger than me.

​My first experience working with children was as a volunteer at a Boys and Girls Club, and I absolutely loved it. That experience confirmed for me how impactful these early years are, and how important it is to fill them with love, play, and connection.
I believe that the preschool years are the most valuable time to make a difference, and I feel grateful to be part of such a supportive and inspiring school community.

William Sten
I have been working with children at the YMCA of Greater Boston in Needham since 2015, where I teach swimming to children of many different ages and abilities. One of my favorite parts of teaching is helping children who may be nervous or unsure of themselves develop confidence as they learn something new.

My experience includes teaching group and individual swim lessons as well as adaptive lessons for children with special needs. I have also trained new swim instructors and helped organize classes and support other teachers. These experiences have taught me the importance of getting to know each child and adapting my approach to what helps them feel comfortable and successful.
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I graduated cum laude from Wentworth Institute of Technology with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. I am excited to bring my patience, teaching experience, and love of working with children to the TBS community!

Grace Xible
I have worked with children of many ages and completed the Level Up early childhood teacher training program. In my classroom the environment sets a tone that supports relationship building and I love to help children learn to work as a team. In the classroom, I love connecting with kids, getting to know each individual child’s interests and passions and building curriculum around them. I can often be found telling stories or setting up messy science experiments or sensory play for children to explore.