Steve Shimshak

“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.”-Plato

As a teacher, I believe that play is the core of early childhood education. Through meaningful play, children develop a foundation of social emotional skills that leads to future success in school, at home, and in the world around them. Play provides a safe space for children to become confident, creative, social and independent problem solvers through their interactions with their peers and teachers. As teachers, it is our job to scaffold these opportunities in order to foster well-rounded, successful children that will thrive in society. 

As an early childhood educator, I place strong emphasis on social and emotional learning while helping children prepare for grade school. I value a team-teaching environment where multiple experts assess the needs of each child and collaborate to design an effective curriculum. I then weave in an activity-based Jewish holiday curriculum and help children connect to their Judaism. 

When exploring teaching positions in early childhood, I carefully assess the Jewish community to determine if I can learn, grow and contribute. With that mind, it was instantly clear to me through interactions with children, families, teachers, administrators, clergy, and temple members that Temple Beth Shalom would be the right fit for me. Inasmuch, I would like to thank the whole Temple Beth Shalom community for welcoming me with such open arms. I look forward to a wonderful new year!

Livi Rubin

"There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One is roots; the other, wings."-Hodding Carter.

Children are curious about their world. Children are active learners who construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world. All children have the right to a place where they are free to explore their surroundings, they also have the right to realize their individual potential and feel successful.  Children also have the right to initiate and explore for themselves as well as the right to an environment in which they feel safe and happy.

My goal as a teacher is to nurture children to become lifelong learners. I also try to provide a place where children feel safe enough to take risks and make mistakes. A fun, loving, caring and stimulating environment is what I strive to create for every child. As a teacher I encourage children's natural creativity and curiosity. As a teacher, I look forward to learning from children daily.

In working with families I strive to create a strong sense of Jewish community. I also strive to build a shared partnership in working with families. It is important to me to build a shared sense of responsibility in learning and growth of the child.

In my classroom, children are exposed to the warmth, beauty and joy of Jewish life. My classroom is structured, yet a flexible schedule supports the needs of young children. In my classroom children learn to negotiate conflicts and solve problems. It is important to me to allow children in the classroom to learn at their own pace.  For young children learning involves play as an essential aspect, learning can occur at every moment.

As a Jewish educator, I continue to explore and learn from Jewish texts and sources, I am constantly learning. Also, I take an organic approach to Jewish learning, allowing it to grow from children's questions and interests. Lastly, as a Jewish educator, I support families as they explore Judaism.

Livi Rubin

Gabi Soble

Rabbi Yehoshua Ben Perachya says, "Make for yourself a teacher and acquire for yourself a friend, and judge each person favorably." Pirkei Avot, Chapter 1, Mishna 6

I am thrilled to be returning as a teacher in the Levana class at Temple Beth Shalom’s Children’s Center this year.  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 believe that each of us is both teacher and learner, regardless of age or experience.  As a teacher, it is important to learn at every opportunity, and I learn something new everyday from every student in my classroom.  I love observing children both at play and in structured activities, and I am continuously inspired by their curiosity about the world around them and their creativity.  Children need safe and inspiring spaces to play, explore, and create, and I strive to do that in the classroom.

I love teaching in a Jewish school, I enjoy bringing various aspects of our rich heritage and tradition, music, stories, and holidays to all aspects of our curriculum.  Shabbat is a favorite time each week, enabling me to share my own love of Shabbat and Judaism with the students.  I love to teach Hebrew words and to invoke in the students a love for Israel and Jewish peoplehood.

I also hope to make each student a friend, as a way to model friendship among the children in the classroom.  We are teachers and friends to the students, the parents, and the entire TBSCC community.  I judge each person I meet as a potential teacher and friend, and I feel privileged to be among teachers who are not just inspiring and knowledgeable, but friendly and caring, as well.

Jesse Feigenbaum

I believe children learn best when they feel safe, when the learning experiences are relevant to their lives, and when they feel comfortable taking risks as learners. I feel children learn best when they feel they are part of a community.

Children have the right to time to play. When children play they explore, experiment, observe, pretend, build, and create. When children play, they are more themselves than at any other time. Play allows them to express their ideas and make decisions. Play is truly the work of young children.

As a teacher my goal is to develop an understanding of each individual child.  I thrive on the challenge of creatively adapting and generating curriculum to meet the state standards, as well as, the children’s individual needs and the class as a community. In my classroom learning is geared towards the needs and emerging interests of the children.

Through my graduate studies I have discovered my true passion for developing and implementing science curriculum in the early childhood years. I believe young children are naturally curious about the world around them. Developing inquiry skills early in life fosters children’s curiosity, understanding of the natural world, and their love of learning.

During my previous teaching experiences the success that partnering parents, teachers, and the school share in creating a community of critical thinkers and lifelong learners. I believe through sharing my love for learning and educating I can foster the love for learning in others. As a Jewish educator I strive to ignite a desire and commitment in families to continue Jewish learning and living beyond their first experiences in preschool.

I am so thrilled to be joining the TBS community. I can't wait to get to know everyone.

Rohan Turel

My philosophy in working with children is based on a lot of ideas , beliefs, experiences and my love of children. I believe in process vs. product. and open ended projects. I like to create curriculum and develop it through and from the child's interest. My favorite activities for the children are hands on activities. I believe this is the best way to learn through experience.

Since nature is all around us, it's great to use all (almost all) natural materials in the classroom, such as wooden toys, fabric toys, wooden furniture, painting with pine cones, painting with leaves (and more). Let your imagination lead you!

In respecting children, I believe that furniture around the classroom and the school should be on children's level, even teachers. While engaging in play with the children I like to sit on the floor (or very close to it). I believe that children tune in to the most to calm and respectful tone of voice and I try to stay calm as often as possible so that children feel valued and respected.

Laura Walsh

Exploring the world with young children has always been one of my greatest pleasures.  Working with young children is especially rewarding because, as a teacher, you collaborate so closely with the family.   Together we spend the year exploring, observing, and discussing how your child views the world.  For many children this is the first time they've ventured into the world without his/her parents.  As a teacher it is a gift to accompany children as they experience things for the first time independent of their families - from making new friends, exploring new ideas and concepts, to learning how to put their lunches away.  Watching the pride that emanates from children as they accomplish both small and large milestones during the year reminds me, on a daily basis, why I love to teach.

My brief time with the TBS camp this summer showed me what a loving, supportive environment TBS provides to children and their families  Most importantly, I saw teachers and children engaged together in joyful learning.   One of my greatest joys as a teacher is exploring nature with children, and I never underestimate how much a child can learn in their own backyard.  When I saw the teachers at TBS seizing that opportunity with so much creativity this summer, I knew this would be a good match for my teaching style. 

My goal for each child is to help them meet with success in the classroom by reaching their optimal potential.  For a child under five this means exploring the world through play, reading wonderful books, learning new songs and poems, and engaging in activities that challenge and excite them.  Most importantly, it means developing new relationships with peers and teachers that reinforce their self esteem and help them to grow. I look forward to getting to know everyone in the year ahead!

"If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you."- A.A. Milne

Savita Brewer

I am so thrilled to join the faculty of Temple Beth Shalom’s Children Center this year. I will be working in the Rainbow classroom with the 2 to 3 year olds and am looking forward to a great year with your children.

As a teacher, I look forward to providing an environment where a child will have rich and meaningful experiences and feel valued and where they feel safe to take risks and make mistakes. It is important that in my classroom children are supported in developing social and emotional skills and will learn to express their ideas and feeling while they share in collaborative efforts and experience the power of working together.

For young children, learning is an ongoing, flexible process where children construct their own
understandings and sparks ideas, theories and feelings about the world around them.

I believe that the learning process is a collaboration among parents, teachers and the child. I look
forward to working with families and strive to build a shared sense of responsibility in learning and the growth of the child as well as working together to give children the strong foundation for a lifelong love of learning.

Wherever we are and whatever we are doing, it is possible to learn something that can enrich our lives and the lives of others…No one’s education is ever complete. --Sir John Templeton

I am so excited to start the year and get to know and work with our Rainbow community!

Sasha Kopp

"Who is wise?  One who learns from everyone.”  Mishnah

 

I am so excited to be joining the TBS team this year!  As a teacher, I am passionate about creating a caring and thoughtful classroom community where everyone has the opportunity to learn from one another. I believe that every child has many gifts to offer the classroom, and that together we will create a classroom that is a blend of each individual’s child’s personalities and interests. 

 

I love working with children because I love observing and exploring their natural curiosity and creativity.  I believe that learning is a hands-on process and that students should have the opportunity to learn from being exposed to nature, art, drama and play. These tangible experiences enrich the classroom and bring excitement to everyday learning.

 

I had the opportunity to study early childhood education in Copenhagen, Denmark and work at an outdoor preschool program. I learned about their theories of the “the competent child” and I deeply believe that children are very capable. As a teacher, I want to create opportunities for my students to gain independence and confidence in the skills they have.  It is incredible exciting and rewarding for me to watch children grow and learn about the world around them. 

 

I want school to be messy, fun and exciting for you children. It is important to me to hear laugher and enthusiasm each and every day. I care about your children’s feelings and want them to feel valued in the classroom. It is important to me that your children learn about feelings, their own and others, through imaginative play. To me, play is learning. Through play students problem solve, share, grow and use skills that they will use for the rest of their lives.

 

I feel so lucky to work with you as a team to create a positive, warm environment for your children this year. I can’t wait to see what we can learn from each other!

Marissa Silberstein

"A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.” Forest E. Witcraft


I am thrilled to be joining the Temple Beth Shalom community as a teacher in the Rainbow room this year. Ever since I was in the sixth grade, when I took a course on becoming a babysitter, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher of young children. I love watching young children as they explore and evolve. I am so excited to watch your children as they evolve from very tiny caterpillars in the beginning of the year into big beautiful butterflies at the end of the year. Their curious little minds are always fascinating to me as they come out of their cocoon and explore the world around them. This might happen by way of one simple line on a piece of paper to a big elaborate block structure. Whichever way children choose to explore and express themselves is the way that I will teach them. I will help guide them as they explore the classroom environment and the outdoors in a very warm, nurturing, caring, and safe way so they feel as comfortable as possible in their surroundings.

What comes to mind when I think of young children are exploration, curiosity, and self-expression. It is very important that children learn in a hands-on way so that they can feel free to develop at their own pace. Although they may play with others, at such a young age children often are involved in parallel play, or playing alongside others, but not directly with them. Observation of children involved in each of these types of play is so vital to me as children are socializing, some for the very first time in a group setting.

Parent involvement is so important at this young age. I have an open door policy where parents and caregivers can spend time in the classroom maybe doing a project with the children or reading a story. I value parent communication between home and school which is key in fostering strong trusting relationships amongst parents and teachers.

Thank you for sharing your children with me and with the Temple Beth Shalom community.

Rebecca Levine

“There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child.  There are seven million.” Walt Streightiff

I love children!  I love how they think about themselves and the world around them.  I enjoy watching them interact with each other.  I am delighted to watch their achievements - both big and small.  I find tremendous joy in seeing their growth and their ability to take on new challenges as time goes by.  I can’t imagine doing anything else!

As a teacher, I believe it is my job to create a safe and nurturing environment where children feel comfortable to take risks, to try new things, and to grow socially, emotionally and physically.  By acting as a guide for the children, I allow their natural curiosity to direct their learning. Children need the opportunity to discover for themselves and practice skills in authentic situations. I believe providing access to hands-on activities and allowing adequate time and space for children to explore is crucial to their personal growth. 

“You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives.” Clay P. Bedford

Children are our most precious gifts.  I believe that the communication between home and school is crucial to the individual successes of each child.  I welcome all families into my classroom and hope to learn from you and your children throughout the year.  I feel honored to embark on this very special journey together.

Julia Wise

I am very excited to join the teachers and students here at Temple Beth Shalom this year! As a teacher, my main educational philosophy centers around helping children develop and foster their own innate creativity. When given the time and environment, children are endless resources of artistry, imagination, and inventiveness. Supporting creative developments inside the classroom allow us teachers to guide children to create their own problem solving techniques. Creativity encourages young children to become confident, and goes along to further assist the development of critical thinking skills. In addition, creativity inside the classroom gives embodiment to children’s thoughts and ownership of their emotions. It is a special kind of freedom and it also allows us to have fun!

I feel privileged to be able to share my love of creativity and adventure with the students and parents of Temple Beth Shalom. I find great joy in watching young children discover new talents and reach higher levels of understanding about themselves and the world around them through books, play, and hands on activities. I try to bring patience, learning, understanding, humor, and fun into the children center classrooms here at Temple Beth Shalom.

“Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see.”

Alison Simpson

Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand. -Chinese proverb

As a teacher, I strive to challenge each one of my students each and every day. Children are capable of making their own discoveries and that process helps them find their own competencies and better understand themselves. I find that self-confidence and independence are intrinsically related, and they help children turn into the people they are becoming. I think that school should be both challenging and fun, helping each child grow.

I love having the chance to develop relationships with each and every student and discovering what he or she is passionate about. From that understanding, I see the classroom as a launch pad to creativity and development that is both educational and exciting for everyone. I think that each child’s voice is important, and it’s something to be cherished. A successful classroom requires input from both teacher and student to function optimally. I strive to help children find their own strong voice to express their feelings and ideas.

By working in a Jewish school, I have the opportunity to share my passion for Judaism with new minds. Sharing the Jewish stories that I grew up hearing helps me to revisit my own childhood and helps me rediscover the magic of learning these stories all over again.

You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself. -Galileo Galilei

Melissa Bogdan

I am a passionate person who loves to work with children, and who believes that there is a tremendous amount that I can learn from children as well as teach them. It is my job to make learning fun, to nurture the innate curiosity and inquisitiveness of children, and to help deepen their understanding of the world around them. It is most important that children feel valued and
respected as the unique and wonderful individuals that they are. As a teacher I can help build their self-esteem by showing that I value what they think, feel, and create. I like to ask their opinions, and then demonstrate to them that I have incorporated their opinions in the decisions that we have made together. Young children are just learning how to develop relationships and operate in the world as social beings. Part of my job is to help them develop the skills they need to successfully interact with others. I see myself as a guiding force who is a keen observer of the moods, feelings, and behavior of the children I teach. By recognizing and valuing the individual characteristics of each child, I can help that child build upon his or her natural abilities, and strengthen the areas in which he or she may struggle more. Working alongside the families, I will make sure the children I teach grow socially, emotionally, and intellectually during the time we spend together. As a Jewish educator I will teach Jewish values and practice while building a sense of a Jewish community in which we all will share.

Lauri Cohen

To me parents and families are the most significant persons in the child’s life. I strive to work in a partnership with families to benefit the child. My door is always open to families at all times. Parents and family members are encouraged to actively participate in our program. Children are best served when the school and home environments work together.

I believe that each child is a unique individual who develops at his/her own rate. I strive to provide a developmentally appropriate program that focuses on the process of learning and helping children enjoy successful experiences.

I my classroom the environment sets a tone that supports community building among children and adults as central to the learning experience. Children will learn to share in collaborative efforts and experience the power of working together. I believe in positive guidance techniques; by establishing consistent, age appropriate limits. I strive to design a program to develop a child’s sense of independence, confidence and responsibility.

To have the opportunity to participate in your child’s early learning experience is both an honor and a privilege that I will always treasure!

I learned much from my teachers; even more from my colleagues; and most from my students.
Mishnah, Makkot

The best teacher is one who suggests, rather than dogmatizes, and inspires his listener with the wish to teach himself.
Edward Bulwer-Lytton

Judi Appelstein

As a teacher I encourage children to feel secure and good about themselves and the decisions that they make. In my classroom I help children learn to negotiate conflicts and solve problems and to make new and solid friendships. The children in my classroom learn to cooperate and become members of a team, and most importantly, we have fun!