Parenting Center Teachers

• Audrey Engdahl (KidSongs with Ms. Audrey)
• Sarah Gershman (Getting Ready for Preschool 20-24 months)
• Tena Howell (Itsy Bitsy Yoga®)
• Maia Magder (Talking with Tots, Tots at the Table)
• Sara Smith (Music & Me)
• Sarah Rabin Spira (substitute teacher)
• Miriam Szubin (Music and Motion, Musical Infants, Getting Ready for Preschool 20-24 months)

Audrey Engdahl (KidSongs with Ms. Audrey) is a local performer and teacher. She and her husband Rick have appeared at area cafes and festivals and garnered multiple Washington Area Music Award nominations both as the children's music duo Rick & Audrey and in their contemporary folk band Sense of Wonder. Their 2007 children's CD, Imagine That!  is a Parents Choice award winner. www.RickAndAudrey.com

Sarah Gershman (Getting Ready for Preschool 15-19 months) is the Music Educator for the Washington DCJCC preschool. She has been teaching music, telling stories, and entertaining kids at the J for the past four years. Sarah is the author of the award-winning Jewish children's book, "The Bedtime Sh'ma." This year, she toured the country with her ukelele as she helped kids and families discover how to make bedtime Jewish. Prior to her work with young children, Sarah taught at the Jewish Community High School of the Bay. She has a background in theater and is the President of Green Room Speakers, a company which helps people learn to speak in public.

Tena Howell (Itsy Bitsy Yoga®) is a certified yoga instructor for both adults and children of all ages. She has practiced yoga since the age of 15 and studied with the International Sivananda Vedanta Centers, where she received her Hatha Yoga teacher certification in 2005. As the mother of a four year old who participated in many 16th Street J Parenting Center classes, and as a 16th Street J Preschool Parent, she is excited to bring Itsy Bitsy Yoga to the DCJCC Parenting Center! As a yoga facilitator and mom, she is dedicated to providing her Tyke with the foundations for a healthy and fun lifestyle. This spring she will undergo training to facilitate prenatal yoga and conscious birthing classes.
Certifications:
International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre–Yoga Teacher Certification, 2005
Tot and Tyke Itsy Bitsy Yoga® – Instructor Certification, 2009
Radiant Child Yoga – Certificate Program, 2009

Maia Magder (Talking with Tots, Tots at the Table), M.S. CCC-SLP is the founder of the Georgetown Speech Group, LLC, dcspeechcenter.com. Maia works with adults that have communication and swallowing disorders such as stroke, traumatic brain injury and other neurological disorders. She evaluates and treats children with developmental delays in speech and language, as well as disorders of swallowing. She also has a special interest in autism spectrum disorders, and works in the community leading a social communication group for children and adolescents.  Maia obtained her Master's degree from Emerson College in Boston, known for its holistic, family-centered approach. Before coming to Washington, she worked with patients at Moss Rehabilitation Hospital and Albert Einstein Hospital in Philadelphia.  Maia lives with her husband Dan, their son Reuven, and daughter Ayelet Rose. 

Sara Smith (Music & Me) has a B.A. degree in Music from the University of Texas at Austin. As a trained singer and pianist, Sara has performed in musical theater, operas, and community events for 17 years. Sara is passionate about making music with young children, and she is excited to bring Music & Me to the DCJCC Parenting Center!

Sarah Rabin Spira (Holiday Helpers, substitute teacher) is the Director of Early Childhood, Youth and Family Programs at the Washington DCJCC.  Read more.

Miriam Szubin (Getting Ready for Preschool 20-24 months, Music and Motion, Musical Infants) has an M.A in Education and many years of experience as an educator of all ages.   Formerly a teacher at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, she has taught tots and adults at the DCJCC since 2007 and also works in the Education Department of the National Portrait Gallery.  She enjoys singing and dancing with her own two small sons and is a proud DCJCC preschool parent.