Two-Three Year Old Teachers
Carly Blazinski
Working with children has always been a passion of mine. I studied Early Childhood Education at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania where I received my Bachelors Degree. I have experience in preschool through fourth grade classrooms as well as special education. Prior to joining the TBS community I was a nanny in Needham for many years. (I also was a nanny for a few TBS families!) As an educator, it is important for me to provide children with a safe, nurturing, and warm classroom environment. I strive to give children the opportunities to explore, create and engage in play-based learning experiences. Being able to guide children this way and offer support when needed gives them the opportunity to learn and grow in their own way. I am so excited to be at TBS and expand my experience and knowledge as a teacher! |
Sharon Berkowitz
My profound love and fascination for children have guided me down the path of early childhood education, with a special emphasis on Jewish culture. I love incorporate Jewish holidays into the kids' learning and playtime at TBS. Born and raised in Israel, my deep connection to Jewish culture and traditions serves as my compass. As an educator, my aspiration is to cultivate a nurturing and vibrant learning environment for young minds. I firmly believe in leveraging play to craft moments that are both memorable and enjoyable. Fostering curiosity within children and fully immersing myself in their unique world is where my passion lies. In my teaching approach, I'm devoted to making every child feel valued, loved, and fostering a secure and inviting atmosphere that nurtures their growth. With boundless love, patience, and dedication, I am resolute in my commitment to teach and nurture each child, treating them as if they were my own. |
Sophia Brescia
I developed love for children while engaging in various positions anywhere from mother’s helper to working at a daycare center. I am an early child education major at American University and working at TBS Children's Center allows me the hands on experience I’d like to gain. I strongly believe that all children should get equal learning opportunities and care to strive in the world. Working with children I love being a part of their lives, watching them grow and flourish. |
Karen Cohen
I started teaching at TBSCC after I saw the benefits of a positive child-centered learning environment in my own children who attended TBSCC. I have a BA in Psychology from Brandeis University, a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Master’s in Jewish Communal Service with a Certificate in Jewish Special Education from Gratz College. My educational background and as a parent of four children, I have learned to work with each child as an individual, carefully supporting their development as part of our classroom environment. I create a classroom environment that is rich in both materials and experiences, while not being overwhelming. I love to help Judaism come alive for children weekly with our joyous Shabbat celebrations and embracing the smells, visuals, music and traditions throughout the year of the Jewish holidays. I strive to connect and work collaboratively with families to highlight their child’s strengths and help them understand child development. |
Maddy Kendall
I previously taught preschoolers ages 3-5 and served as a unit head at Crane Lake Camp where I supervised the campers and staff in 2nd-4th grade level units. I also taught children ages 4-10 at The Creative Child Activity Program in Halifax, Nova Scotia. I graduated from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia where I studied theater. In my classroom children learn to cooperate and become members of the group as they play and learn together. |
Natalie Sheiffer
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Katie Phelps
I have a strong passion for working with young children. I love listening to children and finding moments of joy and discovery. I have been teaching in early childhood for many years. Before joining the Temple Beth Shalom community I taught preschoolers at the Needham Children's Center, Radcliffe Child Care Center, and Children's Corner at Newton Wellesley Hospital. |
Sarah Pultz
At the core of my educational philosophy, I truly believe that “it takes a village.” I am committed to developing strong relationships with the children, families and staff of our school working together to create a safe and supportive atmosphere. Children are innately curious about the world and learn through a variety of experiences and access points. By encouraging children to interact with their environment, ask questions and try new things, we enable children to learn in a meaningful and authentic way. I have an interdisciplinary approach to teaching which brings many subject areas together and encourages self-expression. I am a certified, licensed Elementary School teacher with a Bachelor of Visual Arts from UMASS Amherst and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Simmons College. I have over 10 years of teaching experience with children from Infants through 5th grade. |
Jennifer Reiling
I graduated from Smith College with a degree in Psychology and I have been teaching preschool for 18 years. Prior to coming to TBS I taught at Explorations, a preschool in Medfield and at Dover Nursery School. I am passionate about working with children and creating a nurturing, rich environment in which children can grow and learn. A strong sense of community and building relationships with the children and their families is a very big part of that environment. Learning begins with play and I believe in being on the floor right along with the children. As the children share with me I like to share with them and I try to bring my love of reading, art and the outdoors into the classroom. |
Gabi Soble
It is a privilege and an honor to work in a school environment that is child-focused, warm, caring, safe, educational and geared towards the individual development of each child. I continue to be inspired by teachers’ focus on the students while we create a creativity-inspired learning environment. I love teaching in a Jewish school. Shabbat is a favorite time each week, enabling me to share my own love of Shabbat and Judaism with my students. |
Marcy Shneyder
After teaching in several local preschools I have taught at TBS for many years and with all ages. As an educator my goal is to provide open ended materials to encourage investigation and discovery and I can often be found doing science experiments with my TBS students. |
River St Denis
I have taught infants through five year olds for the past three years. In that environment I created a warm and nurturing environment. I also served as a nanny for children ages 2-13 where I regularly leading outings and activities, integrating arts and nature-based play. I am a BM Candidate in Bass Performance at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. |
Liz Stoll
I have taught children of all ages as well as parents in a variety of settings including preschool, summer camp, JCC, Jewish day school, and local parks. In all cases, I aim to make learning active and fun, while engaging and nurturing the whole child. I love how observant and curious preschool aged kids are, especially when they are outside in nature. I have a bachelor’s degree in biology from Brown University, a master’s degree in education leadership from Columbia Teachers College, and a master’s degree in Judaic studies from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Celebrating Jewish holidays has always been joyful for me and my family, and I love making Judaism relevant, meaningful, and joyful for other families too. At TBS, I look forward to connecting with old and new friends and sharing my appreciation of nature and Jewish holiday traditions with the community. When I’m not teaching, you can find me experimenting in the garden and kitchen, hiking, swimming, and eating tasty vegetarian food with my husband and our two sons. |
Michelle Voskov
I graduated with my Masters in Literacy and Language Education from Boston University. Before joining the Temple Beth Shalom community, I was a lead teacher at the Early Childhood Learning Lab at BU. I believe in fostering children’s love of learning by providing rich play based experience and strive to build strong connections with children and their families. |