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Meet the Staff of KSECC
Debbie Alvanitakis - 4 Year Old Class Assistant Teacher:
I have fourteen years experience in Early Childhood Education. I graduated from Temple University in May 1979 with a BS in Early Childhood Education. My husband John and I moved to Rockville from Philadelphia soon after we got married. I immediately started working at All Saints All Day Child Care Center in Chevy Chase and was employed there for 6 years.
We have one daughter, Abby who is now 19 years old. When Abby started sixth grade I decided to work part time at the Kehilat Shalom Early Childhood Center. I have been with Kehilat Shalom for 9 years with Ann Greenberg in the 4 year old classroom.
Linda Berman - 3 Year Old Class Teacher:
When I started here 29 years ago my childen were 6 and 8 and I was looking forward to working with toddlers. I loved it then and I love it as much now with 2 daughter-in-laws and 4 grandchildren added to my family.
I graduated from Penn State University with a B.A. in education and taught 2 years in Philadelphia (my home town) before my husband and I moved to Maryland in 1971. We've been here ever since raising our family, enjoying the area and loving my job. Along the way I added 24 credits toward a Master's degree in counseling from The University of Maryland, great friends and hundreds of children I will cherish forever.
Cathy Bigelow - 3 Year Old Class Assistant Teacher:
I have been a part of the Kehilat Shalom ECC for 6 years. My primary role has been as assistant teacher for the two and/or three year old classes. I have had the pleasure of teaching the "Parent/Toddler" class and have enjoyed assisting many different enrichment classes as well.
Prior to coming to Kehilat Shalom, I worked for the Montgomery County Public School System as an instructional assistant in Special Ed. I have devoted over 15 years as an MCPS volunteer and have headed many committees from the elementary through high school level.
I attended West Virginia University where I studied Therapeutic Recreation and Speech Pathology.
I have been married to my husband John for 28 years. We have three children...Matthew 24, Billy 22 and Emily 17. In my spare time, I enjoy anything outdoors (especially the beach), gardening, reading and spending time with my family.
Amy Cole - 3 Year Old Class Teacher:
My name is Amy Cole. I have been with Kehilat Shalom since 2005. I spent my first year as an assistant in the 2's class. This fall I begin my 4th year as a teacher and my first year as a 3 year old Class teacher. For 2 years, I was the teacher for the Busy Bees. They were the the older 2's who attend 3 days per week. I was also the teacher of the Honey Bees, a mid-year 2 year old class. It is a joy to watch the children grow throughout the school year. It is wonderful being a part of the Kehilat Shalom family.
Sandi Eisig - 2 Year Old Assistant Teacher:
I came to Kehilat Shalom ECC in 1995 when my first child started preschool. We looked for a loving, Jewish environment and we found it. All three of my children completed their preschool education at Kehilat.
I began working at Kehilat Shalom as the assistant 2s teacher in 2006. I took off 2008 and came back again in 2009 to assist again in the 2s.
I have a BS from the University of Maryland in Finance but my love is working with the kids.
Kehilat Shalom is a great place to be. The teachers and kids are the best.
Marilyn Fliegler - 2 Year Old CLass Teacher:
Long before astronauts went to the moon, I graduated from Trenton State Teacher's College with a BS degree in elementary education. My alma mater is now known as the College of New Jersey. For many years I was a school teacher in the Jersey Shore town of Belmar. The classes ranged from kindergarten thru 8th grade. When my family relocated to Maryland, I worked part time in a school for children with special needs.
During the summer of 2006, a friend casually told me about the need to fill a position at Kehilat Shalom's Early Childhood Center. Soon I was working with the Cuddly Cubs, a class of lively, lovely two year olds! My experience at the ECC has been phenomenal. The relationship among staff, parents and students is outstanding. Our atmosphere is warm and caring. Although we are associated with Kehilat Shalom Synagogue, our approach to learning is multi-cultural. I'm happy to say that I'm continuing to enjoy working with children and associating with a friendly devoted staff.
Nadine Greenbaum - 3 Year Old Class Assistant Teacher:
I started out at this school when it was called Gaithersburg Hebrew Preschool when I enrolled my 4 year old daughter. I was subsequently put on the sub list and then offered an afternoon assistant job for the 2 year olds!
Well, I have now been here a total of 17 years! I left for 6 years but returned to the place where I loved to work the most. I have taught Parent/Toddler classes, assisted in the 2's, 3's and 4's, done the extended day program and I teach and assist in enrichment classes. This is just the place where I want to be.
Ann Greenberg - 4 Year Old Class Teacher:
I grew up on Long Island and went to SUNY Buffalo for dance and Psychology then to Hunter College for Dance Therapy. I began working at Kehilat Shalom as a sub when my daughters were students and I never left. I've been working here since 1989!
Working with the 4 and 5 year olds has kept me young! Their sense of humor, sweetness and thirst for learning make going to work a pleasure.
Linda Pesce - 4 Year Old Class Teacher:
I have been associated with the Kehilat Shalom Early Childhood Center since 1994 when my daughter started preschool at the center. I was looking for a warm, Jewish environment in which to start her education and I found it here. I was the "sub to call" when my son went to the center in 1997 and was hired in 1999 when he entered kindergarten. I have assisted in the 3's and 4's and have taught combinations of 2's, 3's and 4's since 2000. In addition to teaching the main classes, I also currently teach the movement, literacy, and math enrichments after school.
Prior to having children and coming to Kehilat Shalom, I worked for IBM for 15 years after graduating from Penn State University with a BS in Mathematics.
Why did I come to Kehilat Shalom? Where else can I play with and learn from children everyday!
Liz Sander - 2 Year Old Class Assistant (2008-2009) & floating assistant (2009-2010):
I first learned of Kehilat Shalom ECC while researching preschools for my son. KSECC was recommended to me by numerous people. The intimate, nurturing and safe environment was exactly what I was looking for, not only for my son, but also for myself. I subbed during the 3 years my son attended KSECC. My son graduated while I stayed behind. I became the "floating" assistant for a year where I had the opportunity to work with all the children. Last year, I joined the younger two's class as the assistant. There is no other job where you can help and watch young children learn and grow in a positive environment. What could be better than that?
Sindi Siskind - 2 Year Old Class Assistant:
I joined Kehilat Shalom in 2008 as a floating teacher, a sub and worked as a camp teacher during the summer. This year I am the assistant in the mid year 2’s class. I have always enjoyed working with children ever since I was old enough to babysit. I graduated from The University of Delaware in 1996 with a B.S. in Human Services. My major was in Family and Community Services. After working as an administrative assistant in numerous offices for over 10 years, I was blessed with a daughter, now 5 years old. When she was 2 ½ I decided I wanted to work with children again. I worked at two other childcare centers with children ages 6 months to 7 years old before joining Kehilat Shalom. I love being a part of such a creative, joyous and fun learning environment. The children are amazing, the teachers are amazing and I am privileged to be a part of enriching all these wonderful children’s lives.
Amy Snyder - Director:
I have been the director of Kehilat Shalom Early Childhood Center since August 2005 and have been working in the field of early childhood education since 1987. I have a B.A. in Psychology from Muhlenberg College and a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from Boston University. Before coming to Kehilat Shalom I spent 18 years teaching children ages 1 1/2 to 5 years old in a variety of preschool settings in MA, PA, NC, RI and here in MD.
It is an honor to lead such a dedicated and enthusiastic group of early childhood educators and a great pleasure to be a part of such a welcoming, friendly and involved community of families.
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