Pre-School and Kindergarten | Faculty

Carla

Parent-Toddler & Pre-School Director

I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to work with parents, teachers and young children. In either my role as teacher in the Parent-Tot class, or as Director of the Pre-School, I am privileged to offer the first personal introduction and welcome most families receive when coming to Akiba-Schechter. I am proud to explain our philosophy to parents and I am committed to assuring our philosophy is conveyed throughout the program. I enjoy working with teachers, helping them feel empowered and to be active learners just as Akiba encourages our students to be active learners.

My first love is teaching in the classroom. Teaching Parent/Tot enables me to play a role of a child and parents' "first experience at school." I am able to show parents what it means to "learn through play" and how to interact with their child in many meaningful ways. I am able to create a special bond with children and help them gain self-confidence in a classroom environment. I love to sing and dance, and utilize these skills in the classroom.

I came to Akiba in 1991. At Akiba, I have taught in the 1st & 2nd grade, the Kindergarten, 3 and 4 year-olds, Ready!Set!Go! and Parent/Tot! It's wonderful to have had these classroom experiences when speaking with parents and other teachers.

I was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and I attended the University of Massachusetts where I received a BA in Early Childhood Education. While teaching at Akiba I received my Masters in Early Childhood Education for Leadership and Advocacy from National Louis University. I have also taught Sunday school at Sinai Congregation and was the Early Childhood Educational Coordinator at Rodfei Zedek. In 2000 I was honored with the prestigious Kohl/McCormick Early Childhood Teaching Award.

I have two young children who attend the Akiba-Schechter Pre-School. It is a very special experience to teach at the same school my children attend. I enjoy creating scrapbooks for my family as well as for family members for special events. My husband and I are avid campers and travelers, though we've not have much time for those adventures while our children are young.


Modified: Last Modified:August 25, 2007. 16:38:44 pm