Our staff is made up of warm, caring individuals who are professionals in their field. Our faculty participates in ongoing training in early childhood and Jewish education. Our staff is enthusiastic, creative and eager to work with you to enhance your child’s preschool experience.

Caron Blanke
Email address: cblanke@jccdenver.org
Start date at preschool: November 2001
Background experience working with children: I have worked with children since I was in high school, through teaching religious school, working in after school programs and of course, everyone’s favorite, babysitting. My first JCC job working with children was at the JCC Ranch Camp in 1994, when I ran the pool for the summer. I then worked at Camp Shai as their program coordinator. I decided to go back to school to earn my MSW and Masters in Jewish Communal Service. Upon graduation, I worked at the JCC in Columbus, Ohio as the director of Children and Youth Services, as well as the director of their off-site summer day camp for school-aged children. I returned to Denver in 2001 and taught a two year old class in the preschool before starting the Shalom Baby program in 2002. I now have my own two children, whose imaginations, curiosity and wonder inspire me every day to learn more about how best to create wonderful and nurturing places for all of our children.
Best part of teaching: I love my job because every day I can go home knowing that because of the work we do, children’s lives are being positively changed on a daily basis. Watching children and teachers grow and learn is incredibly rewarding. I also am passionate about Jewish identity and continuity and believe that early education is critical in ensuring that there are future generations to continue the work of our Jewish community.

Jed Wardlaw
Email address: jwardlaw@jccdenver.org
Start date: August 2004
Background and experience: I have worked in the field of education for more than 10 years. I have a BA in Religion and Anthropology from James Madison University in Virginia and a Masters in Educational Psychology from the University of Colorado. I have been both and administrator as well as a classroom teacher during my tenure here at the JCC-ECC. When I am at the ECC I enjoy coaching football, spending time with my wife Erin, and playing golf.

Freda Edelstein
Email address: fedelstein@jccdenver.org
Start date at preschool: August 2007
Background experience working with children: I worked at a preschool for 12 years. I was responsible for implementing a successful infant/toddler program in the school. I am director certified.
Best part of teaching: I enjoy the interaction with the children and knowing that I am helping them develop a lifelong love of learning.

Stephanie J Martin – Infant Toddler Coordinator
Email address: jccduckies@yahoo.com
Start date at preschool: June 2004
Background and experience working with children: I have a BS in Child Development and have been working in an ECE environment for the past 8 years
Best part of teaching: Learning happens within every day experiences. Teaching happens when we have the opportunity to build off children’s interests, and support each child’s individual social, cognitive, physical, and emotional needs. The magic for me lies in the children’s discoveries. When a child discovers he or she is a capable learner and can accomplish things on their own

Leah Joffe
Email address: ljoffe@jccdenver.org
Start date at preschool: March 2008
Background experience working with children: I have baby sat for many years in high school. I also put together a summer program for kids while I was in college.
Best part of teaching: I enjoy seeing the kids smiles when entering and leaving the preschool and saying hi throughout the day.

Butterflies
Dominique Ayn Goldbar
Email address: jccbutterflies@yahoo.com
Start date at preschool: August 2004
Background experience working with children:
19 years as a teacher starting with College students.
Best part of teaching: The Children

Anna Cook
Email address: hottbanana1288@gmail.com
Start date at the preschool: September 2008
Background experience working with children: I have been a summer camp counselor at Camp Shai for 5 years working with both special needs and with an entire cabin, I have also been babysitting as a second job for about a year and a half now! This is my first time with children of this age, but I am enjoying it.
Best part of teaching: The thing about teaching that I enjoy most would have to be the fact that I am able to help and watch the little ones grow. I am able to show them that school can be fun. Helping them develop is what I truly enjoy.

Bears
Rebecca Kopperud
Email address: bearsdenverjcc@yahoo.com
Start date at the preschool: August 2005
Background experience working with children: I have 12 years of experience working with children.
Best part of teaching: I like teaching because it is fun.

Frogs
Laurie K. Milwid
Email address: laurie.milwid@gmail.com
Start date at the preschool: June 2000
Background experience working with children: I have been a preschool teacher since July 1999. Before that time I was a stay at home Mom raising my own two children. That was my greatest hands-on experience!
Best part of teaching: I love the excitement and enthusiasm for learning in young children. There is no greater thrill then when that light bulb goes off. I also love my ability to reach the children in a positive way and pass on the love of exploration and curiosity for the world and all its endless knowledge.

Maria Jackson
Email address: none
Start date at the preschool: December 1999
Background experience working with children: Began working with children while in high school at a health club called Racquet World in the child care facility from there I taught at the Montessori in the Denver tech center for 8 years and have been here at the J.C.C. for 10 years.
Best part of teaching: The power to make children laugh, have fun and feel confident in who they are and what they are capable of achieving and being.

Shooting Stars

Bumblebees

Starfish
Ellie Woodward
Email address: EWoodw2000@cs.com
Start date at preschool: April 2006
Background and experience working with children: I have been teaching at the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle School levels since 1991, in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and now Colorado; I taught Social Studies Grades 5-8 for four years at the Bess and Paul Sigel Hebrew Academy of Greater Hartford; I directed, and was Head Preschool/Infant/Toddler teacher at the Suffield House Child Care Center and Preschool in Suffield, CT for four years; I owned and operated my own CT Licensed Family Daycare business in Windsor Locks, CT;
I have: One Bachelor of Arts Degree in Egyptology and Oriental Studies, One Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood, Elementary and Middle School Teaching; One Master’s Degree in Early Childhood, Elementary and Middle School teaching;
Connecticut and Massachusetts teaching licenses, CT Family Daycare License.
One CT Head Teacher License
Best part of teaching: I very much enjoy being with the children, loving them, watching and helping them grow and develop, each according to his/her own individual ability. Teaching is not a “job”, it is a vocation to which I am totally dedicated.

Lindsey Levin
Email address: JCCstarfish@hotmail.com
Start date at preschool: 08/06
Background and experience working with children: I fell in love with preschool when I was a senior in high school. We had to do internships and I chose to do mine in a 2’s classroom. During high school and college, I substituted at a few local preschools and I taught religious school (1st grade) for 7 years.
Best part of teaching: I love seeing the look on a child’s face when they learn something new.

Explorers
Diana Sarcone
Email address: ha_aysteem@yahoo.com
Start date at preschool: August 1998
Background and experience working with children: I worked 2 years at a preschool in Florida and 10 years at the JCC.
Best part of teaching: I am inspired by the children’s love of learning and their curiosity.

Sunbeams
Michelle Hoffman
Email address: jccsunbeams@yahoo.com
Start date at preschool: August 2007
Background and experience working with children: I have a bachelor’s in child development with 5 years teaching experience. I am also working on my masters in Ed. Psych.
Best part of teaching: The joy on each child’s face

Pioneers
Dora Muzykant
Email address: jccpioneers@live.com
Start date at preschool: August 1992
Background and experience working with children: Bachelor’s degree and M.A- Management of Culture and Educational Work. 22 years experience in educational field for different ages in Russia, including 6 years as a Certified Director of a summer camp in Russia. I am going on the 17th year at the JCC preschool. Central Agency for Jewish Education Alef-Bet Award – 1995
Best part of teaching: I enjoy being with the children and learning from them. I’m a life long learner who loves being in school everyday. I find teaching spiritually enriching and personally satisfying.

Shelley Chaiffetz
No email
Start date at preschool: September 1978
Background and experience working with children: Bachelors degree in teaching and courses towards a master in early childhood curriculum development. Have taught kindergarten, pre kindergarten, been an art teacher and Jr. College instructor in child development.
Best part of teaching: There is no job on earth that can compare to teaching young children. The joy, enthusiasm, energy, and spontaneity is wonderful.

Chipmunks
Stephanie Reed
Email address: jcc.chipmunks@gmail.com
Start date at preschool: August 2008
Background and experience working with children: I’ve been working with children for 10 Years, 7 of witch are with infants and toddlers. I have 3 years of college studying early childhood education with and emphasis on infants and toddlers and children with special needs. I am also Infants Nursery Supervisor qualified.
Best part of teaching: I love that each child is different and new to the world, that everything I do has an impact on who they will become.

Shannon H. Shafner
Email address: jcc.chipmunks@gmail.com
Start date at the preschool: August 2008
Background and experience working with children:  I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communications with an emphasis in Elementary Education and a minor in Theatre Arts, from the University of Northern Colorado. I am currently working on my Master of Arts degree in Early Childhood Special Education at The University of Colorado at Denver.   I have been working with children for about 10 years. I have worked with children ranging in age from birth through thirteen.  I have worked with infants for the past 6 years including working here at the Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center ECC Chipmunk Room (Infants)!
Best part of teaching: I love teaching because I love making a difference in the children’s lives that I am working with. It makes me happy to see them develop, learn, and grow in so many ways!  I have always wanted to be a teacher since I was really young!  My grandmother was a great influence in my life, and I want to be an influence in the children’s lives I teach.

Polkadots
Hadass Tsabari
Email address: polkadots_106@yahoo.com
Start date at the preschool: December 2005
Background experience working with children: 20 plus years teaching with a B.A. in Criminology and Sociology and additional Early Childhood Education courses.
Best part of teaching: I like the feedback and relationships formed with the children. I enjoy watching their development over the school year.

Melissa McRae-Jones
Email address: polkadots_106@yahoo.com
Start date at the preschool: July 2006
Background experience working with children: 12 plus years teaching in Early Childhood and a B.A. in Educational Studies/Communications.
Best Part of teaching: Everyday is something new and exciting. The children teach you as much as you teach them. It is an amazing relationship and dynamic.

Duckies