Meet the ECS Team

We understand that learning is rooted in relationships, the relationships between students, with their teachers and with our families. Our educators are professionals in their field and warm and welcoming individuals eager to build loving connections with their students and communicative relationships with the ECS families. Our team works together to create a warm environment that embraces our community and engages our children, inviting them in to explore and learn together.

Interested in joining us? Email your cover letter and resume to ecsadmin@bnaishalomofolney.org

Kfirah HaLevi, ECS Director

Kfirah is curious, passionate and playful. She loves to learn about human development, especially social-emotional growth and how we learn. Kfirah holds an M.A. in Art Therapy and is currently earning her M.Ed. in Jewish Education. She has worked with children for over 13 years, with the past 7 focused on early childhood education. Kfirah wants children to feel valued, curious and confident in our school, and hopes that everyone that enters feels that they are a welcome member of our community.

"Our children are richer when we let them know that we, even as adults, want to grow too, and that we hope to keep growing all our lives." - Fred Rogers

Shannon Neubauer, Office Administrator

Shannon is organized, outgoing and a team-player. She holds an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education and has worked with children on and off for four years. Shannon loves to learn about cooking and wants children to feel welcome and heard within our school.

"Today is a great day to learn something new."

Takeia Jenkins, Toddler Teacher

Takeia is loyal, patient and ambitious. She loves to learn new things, and holds education certifications for Infants & Toddlers, Preschool and School-Age children. Takeia has worked with children for 10 years and strives to create a safe and loving environment for her students.

"Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud." -Maya Angelou

Marceline Happi-Sikam, Toddler Teacher

Marceline is creative, compassionate and dedicated. She has worked in the field of early childhood education for over 25 years, holds a CDA, is a trained Montessori teacher, and loves to learn about innovative teaching techniques. Marceline wants her students to feel safe, valued and excited to learn when they enter her classroom.

"Children are not things to be molded, but are people to be unfolded" -Jess Lair

Dilini Ediriweera, Twos Teacher

Dilini is flexible, hard-working and enthusiastic. She has been working as an educator for 24 years, holds a CDA and is currently pursuing an Associates of Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education Technology. Dilini loves learning about the individual children in her class and the best ways to support them. She wants her students to feel secure, safe and comfortable in her classroom, recognizing that trustworthy relationships helps students thrive.

"The child has a hundred languages, a hundred hands, a hundred thoughts, a hundred ways of thinking, of playing, of speaking." - Loris Malaguzzi

Arielle Pesach, Twos Teacher

Arielle is kind, helpful and creative. She has worked in early childhood education for 12 years, starting through a program in her high school, and holds the 90-hours Child Development certificate. Arielle loves to cook and learn about different cuisines and try new recipes. She hopes that when children enter her classroom they feel welcome, safe and empowered to have a say in what's going on.

"Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself." - Chinese Proverb

Michelle McClain, Threes Teacher

Michelle is friendly, energetic and inspiring. She has been working in early childhood education for 25 years, holds a B.A in Human Development and an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Development and Education. Michelle loves to learn about gardening and quilting and to brings the arts into her classroom. She wants her children to feel safe and warm in her classroom, happy to be a part of the community and excited to learn about the world through play.

"They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel." - Carl W. Buehner

Karen Arriola, Threes Teacher

Karen is kind, caring and a calming presence in the classroom. She has worked in early childhood education for four years and holds a variety of training certificates. She loves to learn new things and eagerly embraces educational opportunities. Karen wants children to feel that the classroom is a second home, where they are loved, safe and welcome to explore.

"I think I can, I think I can." - Watty Piper (The Little Engine that Could)

Marla Orenstein, Pre-K Teacher

Marla is nurturing, dedicated and constantly evolving. She has a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and an M.S. in Reading Specialization and has been working in education for 38 years. Marla loves to learn about children's motivation to learn and wants them to enter her classroom feeling that it is a safe space to explore, create, share ideas, make friends and learn.

"Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all." - Aristotle

Britzell Cruz, Pre-K Teacher

Britzell is creative, caring and patient. This is her fourth year teaching at BSO and she loves to learn new teaching methods that bring a fresh perspective to her work. Britzell wants the children to enter her classroom feeling welcomed, safe and excited to learn.

"While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about." - Angela Schwindt

Monica Cruz, Floater Teacher

Monica is understanding, patient and flexible. She begun working in early childhood education through a high school program, 6 years ago. Monica loves to learn more about science and math, both to advance her own understanding and that of children! Monice wants children to feel comfortable being their complete selves when they are with her.

"The child gives us a beautiful lesson- that in order to form and maintain our intelligence, we must use our hands." -Maria Montessori

Linda Levine, J-Lab Katan Specialist

Linda is caring, open-minded and committed. She has a B.A. in psychology, has done graduate work in Special Education and completed the 90 hour training in preschool education. Linda loves learning about new approaches and theories of education, especially in regards to early childhood. She wants children to feel welcome and embraced with positive energy when they enter her class.

"All students can learn and succeed, but not on the same day in the same way." - George Evans

Familiar Faces in our Classrooms...

Rabbi Nagelberg, BSO Rabbi

Adrienne "Auntie A" Suson, Music Specialist

Hayden Lieberman, Community Volunteer