Three-Four Year Old Teachers

Susan Altman
I have been a member of the TBS community for over 13 years and my three children were active participants in the TBS learning programs. Before teaching at TBS, I worked in operations, senior management and fundraising for various non-profits, directing annual fundraising campaigns, coordinating volunteers, overseeing the board of trustees and executing events. I bring my organizational and relational skills to the classroom each day as I work to build strong bonds with children and their families. I bring joy to the classroom through active learning experiences including music and cooking.

Brianna Batard-Pierre
I have a BA from Fisher College and before coming to TBS I worked at the Boys & Girls Club of MetroWest where I supported students with on-the-job youth development training and helped to run programs and events. I love being part of the community at TBS and in the classroom you can often find me dancing and singing with my students.

Marissa Elstein
As an educator, my goal is to create a positive learning environment that inspires children to ask questions and have hands-on experiences. The classroom must be a safe space where children are encouraged to express themselves and feel heard and understood. I love constructing meaningful learning opportunities where children can expand their social-emotional skills while having fun. On a personal note, I also enjoy sharing my passion for Judaism and Hebrew with the community. I lived in Israel for five years and earned my Master’s degree in Curriculum Development from Bar Ilan University. Prior to that, I received my Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Jewish Studies from Muhlenberg College.

Leslie Forman
Before returning to the world of early childhood education I worked as the administrator for Fessenden Summer Camps. Prior to that, I was the administrator at Camp West Woods, as well as a floater teacher and gymnastics instructor at Academy Pre-School. I love helping young children increase their sense of confidence as they learn new physical, emotional, and social skills. I plan to incorporate my experience in gymnastics, movement, and dance into the classroom. Through our temple community, my family enjoys diverse Jewish learning opportunities, and I love exploring the Jewish holidays with the children at TBSCC as well. I have a degree in literature from Brandeis University, and a Master’s degree in publishing studies from New York University. I share my passion for books with the children at TBSCC.

Lindsey Kaplan
I went to Dean College for my Associates Degree and Mount Ida for my Bachelors Degree where I studied Early Childhood Education earned a Bachelors in Liberal Arts in Sciences with a focus in Education.
I am very passionate about children and have always worked with children, whether in childcare, babysitting or camps.

Kateryna Kozin
Before arriving at TBS I supported children’s hospitals and families with adopted children, working for a non-profit organization of children’s treatment and recreation in Ukraine. As part of that role, I helped open a children’s summer camp. In addition, I volunteered supporting orphan children. As an educator my goal is to learn from children and I enjoy teaching them each day!

Melissa Loeb
I have a Master’s Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders and previously worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist for the past 11 years. I decided to make a career shift and become a preschool teacher at TBSCC because of the amazing sense of community here, the values placed on Jewish and secular learning, and the environment of providing children access to a wide variety of materials arranged to be inviting and provoking of their curiosity and creativity. I am also a mother of two children who attended TBSCC, and our family immediately adopted the guiding principles taught at the Children’s Center. I love observing children making their own discoveries and solving their own problems with gentle guidance and support, and I love being a part of the joy that children experience when they discover a new capability or a new way of interacting in their world.

Chase Lydon
I have worked with children in arts and play centered spaces for the past few years ranging from ages three to eleven. I have studied art and counseling, and I love using art as a means of exploration of the world around us. I am so happy to be at TBS where I can aid in and share joy in children's growth, exploration, and all their incredible milestones and accomplishments in their early education!

Ida Matuskova
Although my college degree is in HR and small business management, my heart has been in early education for almost two decades now. I always knew early education was my true calling and decided to switch careers 13 years ago. Prior to joining the TBS team, I owned a family daycare for nine years, and spent four years as a lead preschool teacher in Medway. As an educator, I firmly believe that children learn by playing, and that a warm, supportive, nurturing environment is essential for young learners. I strive to make our classroom an inviting and fun place to be, where we emphasize kindness and collaboration. My curriculum planning is inspired by the Reggio-Emilia and High Scope approaches, with the teacher providing the framework and the children leading their learning, as they follow their imagination and curiosity. I embrace hands-on explorations and getting messy. Social – emotional learning, conflict resolution strategies and child-led exploration are all integral.

Hema Shah
As a teacher, I strongly believe that early childhood education sets the trajectory for a child’s future academic success. In my classroom, I strive to create an environment where children can explore the world around them and expand their horizons. I graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Bombay, where I studied financial accounting. However, I’ve always loved working with children and supporting their education, and I spent many hours volunteering at my children’s schools over the years. I completed my Associate’s degree in Child Care Education and Administration at Massasoit Community College. Before coming to TBS, I worked at the Academy Preschool in Stoughton for 9 years. As a teacher I work with families to create the best learning environment for each and every child.

Rebecca Sosa
I have been in Early Childhood education for almost ten years. I have had the pleasure of
working with children from infants through 5 th grade. Having taught dance and theatre
education I know first-hand how important it is for children, at an early age, to see their full
potential and to express themselves! I am originally from Sarasota, Florida. Growing up, I was a part of an arts enriched Jewish environment in my community. I hold a BFA in Musical Theater from Florida Southern College. I am currently pursuing my Masters in Early Childhood Education at Lesley University. I enjoy finding a mindful and energetic classroom environment full of room to grow and learn.

Emily Srebro
Before arriving at TBS I worked at Zervas Elementary in Newton and an elementary level afterschool program in New Jersey. I have always been passionate about Jewish life and bring memories from my own childhood synagogue experiences. I want to bring those same positive memories to the children of TBS. I love being part of children's learning and play.

Ben Tober
I strive to provide developmentally appropriate and nurturing environments, where children feel safe and inspired to explore individual and group interests. I believe that curriculum should be informed by the articulated or inferred interests of the children, allowing the children to discover and pursue new and emerging skills. By way of purposeful play experiences, I aim to foster those interests by providing related activities and materials, while offering opportunities for small and large group social interaction. I began teaching in 2011 (after twenty years in corporate management), and hold a BA from Lesley University, where I majored in Human Development.

Erica Wieher
Before coming to TBS I was a library intern at Auburndale Community Library. I bring a bachelor's degree in English and communications from Lasell University. I love spending time with young children, helping them learn to interact and participant in the group.