DIRECTOR OF GAN SHALOM

Meet Emma!

A graduate of Gan Shalom Preschool herself, Emma has worked in the field of Jewish early child education for over fifteen years. As a two year old teacher for ten years of those years, she enjoyed laying the foundation upon which children build their Jewish identity. Emma is passionate about the learning that takes place in a Jewish play-based preschool for children, families, and educators. Emma was a participant in the many professional development opportunities put forth by the Federation’s Jewish Early Childhood and Family Engagement Initiative. She received a certificate from Gratz College in Jewish early childhood education (JECE), deepened children’s learning and engaged families in events as a Jewish Resource Specialist, and was trained by JECE Leadership Initiative. Most recently Emma graduated from the American Jewish University with a Master’s in Early Childhood Education.

Emma can be reached at (510) 848-3298 or director@ganshalomberkeley.org

 

ADAMAH CLASSROM (3-5 year-old)

 

Meet Sarah! Lead Teacher in Adamah

Sarah has been in the field of early childhood education for over 20 years. She began working as an educator at Head Start for ten years before becoming a mentor teacher at a Jewish preschool. Sarah loves being part of the preschool community where everyone is free to learn, create, make friends and have fun. And she likes making up songs.

 

 

Meet Chanthy! Teacher in Adamah

Chanthy has been an early childhood educator at JCCEB for 16 years and currently working at Gan Shalom.  She started out in finance working with brokers and traders in a financial institution in San Francisco after College. Realizing that was not her calling, she decided to attend Merritt College to get her ECE units. She is excited to start a whole new school year with the Adamah classroom.

 

SHAMAYIM CLASSROOM (2 year-old)

 

Meet Anna! Lead Teacher in Shamayim

Anna was born and raised in Israel and is fluent in Hebrew, English and Hebrish. Anna has over a decade of experience in play-based, early childhood education. She believes the preschool community needs to support the growth, the development and the well-being of the children and their adults, in age appropriate ways. Anna is also a proud mom to her two daughters, Liah and Noga.

 

Meet Iris! Teacher in Shamayim

Iris is the mother of four daughters who all attended Gan Shalom and who have fond memories of rainbows and cinnamon challah.  Iris served on the Gan Parent Advisory Committee (PAC), co-chaired a director search committee, and helped write an Alameda County grant for the new Gan building.  She has a bachelor’s degree in social science, and a masters in journalism.  Originally from Israel, Iris is now very excited to be back at Gan as a Shamayim teacher, a job which lets her play with beautiful little people and share all those Hebrew songs she remembers from her childhood.  In her spare time, Iris loves traveling, beading, and making art.

 

 

Meet Pelinor! Teacher in Shamayim

Pelinor is a passionate Sephardic Jew, who went to the Bay Area’s very own Tehiyah Day school. Her favorite Torah story is Yaakov meeting Leah, favorite holidays are Shavout and Pesah, and favorite Hebrew word is ‏מלפפון (cucumber). Lastly she speaks English, Spanish, and Ladino.

 

 

Meet Nicolette! Teacher in Shamayim

Nicolette has been teaching early childhood education for over 5 years. She is not only a Gan teacher, but a Gan parent too. She has two sons, 8 and 3 and her son William is Adamah classroom. Nicolette likes to refer to herself as the Gan Mifgash meerkat.

 

 

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Meet Jenifer! Preschool Administrator

Jenifer makes sure everything runs smoothly. Jenifer can be reached at (510) 843-5246 or office@cbiberkeley.org

 

Meet Adriana! Afternoon Teacher + Administrative Coordinator

Adriana studied at Yale university and has been working in education for over 4 years. She is a strong proponent of authentic care pedagogy and curriculum that centers on outdoor play. She also works with CBI as the congregation’s Youth Programs Coordinator.

 

 

Meet Denise! Curriculum Consultant/Mentor Teacher

 

Denise Moyes-Schnur has worked in the field of Jewish Early Childhood Education for over forty years. During that time, she has worked as preschool director, consultant, and mentor, and has worked both locally and nationally in the Jewish Early Childhood Education Initiative, (JECEI) where she was the Director of Early Childhood Education, and the Jewish Early Childhood Education Leadership Initiative, (JECELI) where she developed and coordinated the mentor program. Denise served as the Director of the Jewish Early Childhood and Family Engagement Initiative at the Jewish Community Federation, where she oversaw programs and professional development for Early Childhood Educators in Jewish Preschools in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is currently an instructor at American Jewish University, and a consultant in private practice, where she coaches teachers and directors, and provides mentoring and professional development experiences for early childhood educators. Denise holds a master’s degree in early childhood leadership from Mills College.