I am a graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in Art History and a minor in Human Development. I love watching children discover new things and helping them learn new things!
My name is Aisha Bhatty. This is going to be my first year as a teacher at the Washington DCJCC and I am very excited. I recently graduated with a Master's in Elementary Education and hold a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, both from George Mason University. I have lived in Virginia for most of my life and consider it home. I am the seventh of eight siblings, and really enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I really love meeting new people and learning about different cultures. I love French and classic American literature, theatre, and all types of music.
I graduated from Hofstra University with a degree in Psychology. I am a proud born and raised "Washingtonian" who is no stranger to the Washington DCJCC. I attended camp at the 16th Street J when I was young and worked as the after school counselor years later. I've been teaching at the J since February 2010 and I could not possibly think of a better place to work! I absolutely adore kids and my passion for teaching is endless. I'm excited for the new school year to begin, and I look forward to meeting all the new kids and families. My door is always open, come by and say hello!
I graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Jewish studies with an emphasis in secondary education. Although I am a New Jersey-ite at heart, after graduating from UMD, I found myself in Washington, DC. This is my third year teaching preschool, but I am no stranger to the classroom. I have worked at a number of synagogues in New Jersey and Maryland teaching music and choir to students of all different ages. I am extremely excited to be part of the team at the 16th Street J and can't wait to meet all of the preschool families!
I am originally from the northwest suburbs of Chicago. In May, I graduated from the University of Kansas with a BA in Psychology and Jewish Studies. After spending a few years as a overnight camp counselor and religious school teacher in college, I knew that I wanted to work with children. I really enjoy watching children explore their surroundings and begin to develop themselves. Wanting to move to a city and start anew, I decided to come to Washington, DC found the perfect job that combined two of my biggest passions: children and Judaism. I am very excited to work at the Washington DCJCC and am looking forward to getting to know your children and developing relationships with all the families!
I have been with the 16th Street J Preschool for the past 10 years, having worked both in part-time and full-time positions. A graduate of Bates College (Maine), my educational focus was in children's theater; however, my passion for education (as well as the fact that the J is like my second home) has kept me coming back to the JCC Family since 2000.
I grew up in Oviedo, Florida, which is a small suburb outside of Orlando. In December 2008, I graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Elementary Education. During my educational endeavor, I completed two Internships, a Junior Achievement program as well as countless volunteer hours in various types of classrooms. Since I was young, I have always enjoyed working with children, beginning with the local Hebrew School Program as a Teacher’s Assistant. Since then, I have had such a diverse amount of experience working with young children in a number of different settings. After graduating from UCF, I have worked for Seminole County Public Schools as a long-term substitute teacher as well as worked at a local Pre-school as a Lead teacher for their Pre-K program. In the evenings and throughout my college years, I worked for the City of Oviedo Recreation and Parks Department. My job title was a Recreational Aide where I helped assist in multiple programs, all of which involved working with children of all ages where they are engaged in play or educational experiences. I am looking forward to moving up to Washington D.C. and being apart of the 16th Street J Preschool!
I graduated from High Point University, NC with a Technical Theatre degree, with an emphasis in Lighting Design, and a minor in Art. This year I hope to collaborate and play with our young students towards a creative, artistic, and dramatic learning environment. My approach to teaching is hands-on and reinforces independence while allowing childen to explore and have their own self discovery. I am thrilled to join the ever imaginative team at the 16th Street J.
My full name is Jettana McArthur, but the kids know me as Tana. I graduated from Oxon Hill High School in Prince George’s County in 2006. My passion for kids began in high school while taking child development courses, and I learned the fundamentals of the way children grow mentally, physically and spiritually. While on hiatus from school, I worked at Educational Etc., a resource store of insightful material for parents, students and teachers. I started working at the J as a floater teacher in September 2007, and then I was a co-teacher in one of the 3-year old classrooms. Although I’m relatively new to teaching, I believe in my capability to provide a loving and learning atmosphere. I’m so excited to learn and grow with your kids this year!
I am from Akron, Ohio and graduated from Ohio University in 2009 with my bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. During my time at Ohio University, I completed my pre-primary student teaching in a preschool that also used the Reggio approach. My primary student teaching was completed in an extremely small village in Ireland. Last year I worked in a kindergarten classroom as a teaching assistant at a local private school. During all of these experiences I not only worked closely with the other teachers and students but also the families and the community. I hope to continue to follow this approach and welcome any questions you may have for me.
My teaching career began over 10 years ago, when I discovered how much I love working with young children. This discovery led me to the University of Kansas, where I graduated with a degree in Human Development with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. I taught for two years in Kansas City, where I started studying the Reggio Emilia approach to early education. I then moved out to Colorado to continue teaching and pursue a graduate degree. While in Colorado, I completed my masters degree in Early Childhood Education and obtained a Colorado Professional Teaching License in Early Childhood Education. I am excited for the new school year!
I came to the DCJCC Preschool in May 2008, after graduating with a degree in Child Development from Mills College in Oakland, California. During college, I taught two semesters of preschool at the Mills College Laboratory School. My first semester of teaching was in an Infant/Toddler classroom with children whose ages ranged from 6 months to 2 years. During my second semester, I worked in a mixed-age preschool classroom with children ranging from 3-5 years. My educational background at Mills was in Constructivist philosophy with an added emphasis on the Reggio Emilia approach, so I feel very much in my element teaching at the 16th street J. This year marks my 3rd year at the JCC! I am very excited to be working with Tana McArthur again and getting to know new children and families. I feel lucky to be in a job where I get to play and laugh all day long!
I grew up in Cheltenham, PA, a suburb five minutes west of Philadelphia. Throughout my pre-professional life, the things I've done and jobs I've had have always been focused on working with children, whether it be teaching Hebrew school, teaching swimming at day camps or coaching basketball. In 2006, I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication and Rhetoric, but decided I was not finished with my work with children. Last year, I lived in Philadelphia and was a Pre-K teacher there. In August 2008, I moved to DC for a change of scenery and have loved my time here so far. I love the Pre-K atmosphere, the excitement of exploration, discovery. The idea that I'm working with people who literally are learning something new all the time makes coming to work a wonderful experience everyday. I think of life as a journey, and I love watching and helping children navigate that journey at this age. At this point in my journey, I have figured out that I love being with children every day. I hope to go back to school to get a Master's Degree in a field related to Early Childhood Education or Development in order to continue that journey. I'm in the Pre-K class, come by and say "hi." Have fun!
I have been working at the Washington DCJCC since February 2003, starting as an assistant Preschool teacher and working my way up to a lead teacher, Camp Director, Preschool Assistant Director and now the Director of all of our Early Childhood, Youth & Family Programs. This has been a wonderful place to learn and grow and to share my passion for education, reading, play and child development with the many children we have had in our school. I have a Bachelor's in English (focusing on Children's Literature) and Journalism from the University of Florida and a Master's in Media and Public Affairs from George Washington University. Once I made a career switch from PR and Marketing, I supplemented my degrees with additional classes in child development at the University of the District of Columbia and Penn Foster College. I have taught various art classes at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop as well.
I grew up in Miami, Florida, as the oldest of five children, and moved to DC 12 years ago. I met my husband Mark at the J; in fact, we had a pre-wedding during camp in 2007 so that all of the campers could join us. The campers planned and wrote everything, from decorating the chuppah to writing the ketubah to planning the party food at the "reception." Mark and I are expecting our first child this fall. We're a family at the 16th Street J, and I hope that your family will join us.
I graduated from Brandeis University in May 2008 with a degree in History and a minor in Education. Although I am originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I decided to move to Washington, DC, after graduating. Throughout my last semester of college, I student-taught at an elementary school and received my license to teach while working at my campus' preschool. Teaching children has always been a passion of mine, and I am excited to be working at the 16th Street J!
I'm from Australia and have a degree in early childhood education. I have spent the last year at the J working with the two year olds. Play is at the core of my personal teaching philosophy, believing the best way for children to learn is through a play-based emergent curriculum. My ideal program encourages children to express themselves through many ‘languages’ (a Reggio Emilia idea) by ways of dance, drama, drawing, writing, talking, painting, playing, etc. I am will be staying on this year as the Atelierista, the art studio specialist, and am excited for the opportunity to share my knowledge and passion for teaching through art with all the classes, as well as being able to help in other areas of the classroom like room design, photo observations and portfolios.
Get Nurtured Preschool Homepage
Classes for toddlersCamps and classes for older children
ContactSarah Rabin SpiraDirector, Early Childhood, Youth & Family Programs(202) 777-3278sarahr@washingtondcjcc.orgDaniel MargolRegistrar (202) 777-3256danielm@washingtondcjcc.org
f. (202) 518-9420