Meet the Parenting Center Teachers
Jessica Baron (Baby Signs Playdate) received her Master’s in Deaf Education from Gallaudet University in 2001. Ever since then, she has been a teacher of a variety of students, including Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Special Education, in the public school system. Jessica and her toddler enjoy using Baby Signs to communicate every day.
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.
Lucia (Luchy) Filler (Español para Pequeñitos) is a Colombian native with a B.A. degree in Business Administration from the Escuela de Administración de Negocios, E.A.N. in Bogotá, Colombia. Lucia has experience as a Spanish teacher with adults and currently home schools Spanish to her six year-old and three year-old daughters who are each bilingual. She has been teaching Español Para Pequeñitos since spring 2011 and has introduced the class to Preschoolers at the DCJCC as well. Lucia Filler is also part of the Bilingual Ross Elementary School Playgroup Story program for infants, toddlers and young children introduced in February 2011. She recently founded My ABC en Español. http://myabcenespanol.com/home.html
Leah Frelinghuysen (Music and Movement from Mozart to Ellington) loves introducing music to toddlers, using her background in music performance and her Bachelor of Music from The Juilliard School. As an arts advocate for more than a decade, she also has a passion for arts education and early childhood learning. She was part of the original team that launched the successful VH1 Save the Music program and campaign across the country. She also loves spending time at the piano with her son.
Sarah Gershman (Getting Ready for Preschool on Thursdays) has been teaching music, telling stories, and entertaining kids at the J for the past six years. Sarah is the author of the award-winning Jewish children's books, "The Bedtime Sh'ma" and "Modeh Ani." Sarah has Masters Degrees in Social Work and Judaic Studies from Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary. She has a background in theater and is the President of Green Room Speakers, a company which helps people learn to speak in public. Sarah is also the mother of three children: Matan (7), Josie (5) and Gabriel (1).
Michelle Hessel (Makin’ Music with Ms. Michelle) has been educating and entertaining young children since 2002. She is Director of Operations for musiKids Inc., in Bethesda, Md and also teaches music at The Glenbrook Cooperative Nursery School. Michelle has performed all over the DC area and is very proud to be a part of the new musiKids cd "Gilly Good Morning" which was nominated for a 2012 Wammie for Best Childrens Recording. She is excited to bring her unique program to the DCJCC where she started her career as an educator -- at age 14 as a counselor at the summer camp!
Frannie Hochberg-Giuffrida (Art for Tots) is a lawyer and writer who has taught children and adults subjects ranging from photography to sailing to legal rhetoric. She enjoys doing art projects with her 3-year-old daughter and brings her creativity and enthusiasm to the J to share with your child.
Tena Howell (Itsy Bitsy Yoga® for Tots) is a certified yoga instructor for adults, prenatal mothers, 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 6-year-old who participated in many DCJCC Parenting Center classes, and as a former 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, and to creating a space where yoga is accessible to adult and children of all ages and abilities.
Certifications:
*International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre – 200hr Yoga Teacher Certification, 2005
*Tot and Tyke Itsy Bitsy Yoga® – Instructor Certification, 2009
*Radiant Child Yoga – Certificate Program, 2009
*Street Yoga - Certificate Program, 2010
*Prenatal Yoga & Conscious Birthing – Janice Clarfield Certificate Program, 2011
Susanna Montezemolo (Itsy Bitsy Yoga® for Babies, summer session) is a certified yoga instructor for adults, prenatal mothers, and children. She completed Itsy Bitsy Yoga® Babies and Tots training in the summer of 2011 with Itsy Bitsy Yoga® founder Helen Garabedian. She has also completed baby & me training at Tranquil Space and Karma Kids Yoga teacher training, as well as several prenatal teacher trainings. She is certified to teach adults through Tranquil Space, where she completed her 200-hour certification and is working toward her 500-hour certification. Susanna loves facilitating yoga classes for babies, whose flexibility and ability to live in the moment make them natural yogis. She finds particular yogic inspiration from her daughter, born in September 2011, who just loves Itsy Bitsy Yoga® poses and songs.
Mina Simhai (Itsy Bitsy Yoga® for Babies, spring session) is a certified yoga instructor for adults and prenatal mothers and completed Itsy Bitsy Yoga® Babies and Tots training this summer with Itsy Bitsy Yoga® founder, Helen Garabedian. Yoga found Mina in 2003, when she was working as a corporate lawyer in New York. Through yoga, Mina learned to relax and bring some balance to her hectic, stressful life. Mina is the mother of a sweet toddler who has enjoyed many Parenting Center classes at the DCJCC. She is excited to join the DCJCC as an Itsy Bitsy Yoga® Facilitator. In her classes she strives to create a space where parents/caregivers can deepen their bond with their babies, enjoy interacting with their babies in fun and soothing new ways, and connect with other parents/caregivers.
Power Tots Instructors (Power Tots Gymnastics) have varied backgrounds, but one thing they all have in common is a love of teaching children! Some of our instructors are former professional cheerleaders for such teams as the Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens, while others have backgrounds in dance, performance, education, and even business. Our instructors all go through a rigorous Power Tots training program, are certified in adult, child, and infant CPR, and are safety-certified through USA Gymnastics. In addition to the Power Tots Yoga training, our yoga instructors all go through a 20-hour yoga training program specifically designed for children's yoga.
Rachel Scheer (Baby Lap Time) is a certified Reading Specialist with classroom teaching and children’s library services experience. She has worked in a variety of settings teaching babies, children, and adults to become lifelong readers. She grew up in the Washington, DC area and belonged to Beth El Hebrew Congregation in Alexandria, VA.
Sara Smith (Music & Me, Shir Musical Fun) has a B.A. degree in Music from the University of Texas at Austin, and is an experienced music teacher for young children. As a trained singer, Sara has performed in musical theater and operas for 15 years, and she loves entertaining children and her own new baby girl with dance and song.
Miriam Szubin (Getting Ready for Preschool on Fridays, Musical Infants) is the Washington DCJCC's Parenting Center Coordinator. She 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 sons and is a proud DCJCC preschool parent.
Eva Temkin (Little Chef’s Cooking Class) has a J.D. from NYU and is an experienced cooking teacher. As a culinary instructor, Eva has worked with children on developing cooking skills and healthy eating habits. She also spends hours every week cooking with her own toddler and his friends.
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