Early Childhood Staff

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Working with children has always been the foundation of Bobbie’s career. Prior to working with the early childhood team, Bobbie was active in various roles at
The J, such as in community outreach and program development. All three of Bobbie’s children attended preschool and camp programs at The J as well.

When Bobbie returned to The J to teach preschool, she felt that she was right where she was supposed to be. Here she has found a strong community amongst her early childhood colleagues. Bobbie looks forward to spending every day in the classroom. She feels that when she helps children explore the world, she is able to see things from their point of view. Bobbie has worked with all of the age groups in the Mandel JCC early childhood program ranging from the 2s to Pre-K. In the past, Bobbie has also served in an administrative role at a satellite location for one of The J’s early childhood programs.
Bobbie has been working with the 3-year-olds for the past three years and is looking forward to entering her fourth year with this age group.

Elena came to Cleveland from Russia after graduating from the Ural Pedagogical University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English language and English literature and a minor in German language. Here, in Cleveland, she met her husband and together they are now raising two wonderful children, Vera and Alexandra.

After having her children, Elena realized that she needed more information about how American public schools operated, so she enrolled in a school-based master program at John Carroll University, which placed her into the Lower Hawken School for a year to complete her studies. This experience was extremely rewarding. Not only did it make Elena a stronger mentor to young children she was working with, it made her a stronger parent. The idea of fair play is very close to Elena’s heart because it recognizes that each child is unique, and the needs of one child will be different from the needs of another, and those needs deserve to be met. Elena’s goal is to create a safe, fun and supportive climate for children to learn and grow while making new friends and discoveries at The J’s preschool.

Over the past two decades living in Cleveland, Elena has been busy getting an associate degree in commercial art and graphic design, volunteering in a metropolitan school district, starting a family, substitute teaching in Orange, Beachwood and Shaker Heights schools, kayaking and camping with her loved ones, and enjoying her friends and her community.

Hermine was born and raised in Cleveland and graduated from Beachwood High School. She received her bachelors of education from The Ohio State University.
Before joining the early childhood teaching team at the Mandel JCC, Hermine had a long career in education, specifically in early childhood. Hermine started her preschool teaching career in 1981.
Hermine taught for many years at The Park Preschool as well as at the Solon Jewish Preschool. This past year, Hermine worked with a small pod of 3-year-old children. Hermine was also the Early Childhood Director of The Park Preschool for six years. Over the course of her career, Hermine has taught Parent and Me classes, Grandparent and Me classes, as well as the 2, 3 and 4-year-olds. She loves doing art projects and baking with the kids.

In addition to her work in early childhood, Hermine has been involved in volunteering at Mt. Sinai Hospital’s Auxiliary, she was on the PTA of Orange High School and Solon Chabad. She is known at the Solon Chabad as “The Soup Lady” preparing matzah ball soup for Chabad Shabbat dinners. Hermine and her husband Ron have three grown boys and two grandchildren. Hermine’s hobbies include playing Mahjong, knitting and gardening.
Hermine is looking forward to working as a floater teacher at the Mandel JCC this school year!

Holly Bruell holds an associate's degree in early childhood education from Cuyahoga Community College and has been teaching at The J’s preschool since 1992.
The majority of these years have been spent in a classroom teaching three-year-olds. “Helping children cultivate a love of learning and develop a strong connection to our classroom community is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work,” Holly said. “Our program responds to what is really important in early childhood education – building trusting relationships, supporting children’s ability to understand and regulate their feelings, cultivating children’s innate curiosity and preserving children’s right to a healthy childhood. The start of the school is a new beginning for teachers and children alike. It’s my favourite time of year!”

Holly is passionate about her own growth and development and participates in professional workshops and conferences. “There are so many ways to grow and evolve as a teacher,” said Holly. She has participated in a weeklong Conscious Discipline training program, which continues to shape and influence her practice and those around her. In addition, Holly plans J-Family Days for community members.

Holly’s connections to The J run deep. Her adult children attended preschool at The J. Both of Holly’s daughters met their husbands at Camp Wise, The J’s overnight camp. Holly and her husband Doug enjoy spending time with their three granddaughters.

India has a tremendous amount of experience working in early childhood. She started her career running an in-home daycare for infants through preschoolers.
Before joining the staff at The J, India was active in her community of Cleveland Heights, volunteering her time with the PTA at Roxboro Elementary School.
What started off as volunteering a few days a week tutoring kindergarten to third graders, quickly grew into a position chairing. For the next three years, India recruited other parents to give their time in the classroom as well.
India is a founding member of the parent group Building Rox, recently renamed Building Heights. Its mission is focused on raising funds and providing opportunities at little or no cost for children in the community and CHUH (Cleveland Heights-University Heights) School District. The camp works in partnership with a local Cleveland Heights theatre group that offers a free performing arts camp to fifth graders.
Together with Reaching Heights, a new camp has been developed for the CHUH School District called Heights Middle School Shorts, which serves local middle school families.
India is the mother of three sons ranging from high school through adulthood. India loves music, singing and storytelling and has taught enrichment classes to our 3-year-olds in chorus and storytelling. India has taught the 2s through Pre-K at The J. India is a floater in our early childhood department.

Jill has been teaching at The J since 2008 and truly believes working with children is her calling. Jill loves watching her young students grow. Offering them guidance, support and encouragement is second nature to her. “It’s about building trust and connections with both parents and children,” she said. “We want parents to feel comfortable and secure in knowing that their children are receiving exceptional care while they are away from home. We all take our work seriously – and we love coming to work each day!”
Jill considers The J her “home away from home.” “It’s the exact feeling I want children to have when they come here each day,” she said.
Jill enjoys taking long walks and caring for animals. She lives in Beachwood with her son and dog.

Jordana was excited to join The J’s early childhood team as a support specialist. She offers programming assistance throughout the toddler and 3s classrooms. Her hope is that the children in her care feel safe to explore their environments.
Jordana graduated from Brush High School in South Euclid in 2022. She worked as a counsellor for Mandel JCC’s J-Day Camps for three summers after being a camper herself at Camp Wise and J-Day Camps. Jordana was a staff member for The J’s Kids Club during the 2021-2022 school year, where she enjoyed working with kids on their gross motor skills during free play. Jordana is excited to grow as an early childhood professional and share her love of art and movement with the children.
Jordana lives in South Euclid. In her spare time, she enjoys painting, hiking and being
in nature.

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Lisa has been devoted to the early childhood field for over 26 years. She has worked with all ages of children, from infants and toddlers to pre-K and school-aged students.
Lisa holds a child development associate certificate and a degree in early childhood education from Eastern Gateway Community College. She was presented with the Toddler Teacher of the Year award in 2005 from Tru-Mah-Col.

“I love being a part of children’s growth and development,” said Lisa. They are curious and creative learners, which I find fascinating to observe.” Lisa is dedicated to the social and emotional development of each child and makes it her goal to foster kindness and friendships in her classroom.
Originally from Hubbard, Ohio, Lisa moved to the area in August 2014. During her free time, Lisa enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, taking walks at the lake and is an avid animal lover.

Meryl earned her Bachelor of Digital Arts degree from Bowling Green State University. She has worked in the childcare field since 2018, both as a private nanny as well as at various preschools. She grew up in Shaker Heights and now lives in Cleveland Heights.
Meryl loves walking and hiking in nature and observing the natural world. The importance of the world around us is something she strives to impart to her students.

This is Nicole’s third year teaching at The J. She has previously worked at The J’s Playland Day Camp and was a substitute teacher. Nicole started teaching full-time in the Early Childhood Department in 2019.
Nicole graduated from Kent State University in May 2019 with a Bachelor of Science degree in human development and family studies with a concentration in child and youth development. She also double minored in sociology and nonprofit studies and received a certificate in disability studies and community inclusion.
Over the last three years, Nicole has worked at the Friendship Circle of Cleveland as a volunteer, an intern and then as part of the behavioural staff. She finds working with children of differing abilities extremely rewarding.
In her spare time, Nicole enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She is a huge fan of the Cleveland Indians, reading and is a lover of all things Disney.

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Rebekah has been with The J since 2014. Rebekah has a warm demeanour and passion for working with young children. She carried her love of working with young children with her when she made the move with her family from Tucson, Arizona, to Cleveland, Ohio. In Tucson, Rebekah worked as a camp director and preschool teacher.

Since living in Cleveland, Rebekah has worked at a number of early childhood centers but she feels most at home at The J. “One of my biggest passions in life is being in a classroom with children where I can support, nurture and influence their positive growth,” Rebekah said. “I’m equally passionate about developing meaningful relationships with parents and families of my students – we’re partners working towards a common goal to do what’s best for their children. The J is the perfect place to do this – the environment truly feels like a home away from home.”
Rebekah has a “play to learn” philosophy accompanied by the Conscious Discipline method. This makes for a smooth-running classroom facilitated by creativity and curiosity.
Rebekah graduated in May 2018 with her associate's degree in early childhood education and has obtained her Ohio licensure for Pre-K.

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Stef is delighted to be part of The J’s teaching team for another great year. Prior to coming to The J, she worked as a preschool teacher at Park Preschool for several years, a preschool aide at Gurney Elementary School and an educational assistant at Lewis Elementary School. Stef views her teaching role as an opportunity to support and empower children and enhance their learning potential.

She sees working with children as a privilege and looks forward to another year of fostering kindness and friendships, exploration and growth.

Stef graduated from Ohio University in 1998, and holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism, with a minor in public relations. She also earned a certification in environmental studies from Newcastle University in Callaghan, Australia.

Stef lives in Solon with her husband, Jamie. They have two children, two dogs, two fish and one hedgehog. In her free time, Stef enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, hiking, spending time outdoors and caring for animals.

Talya is delighted to be a part of The J’s teaching team for another great year. A graduate of Syracuse University, Talya has a Bachelor of Arts degree in inclusive elementary and special education.
Prior to teaching at The J, Talya spent a year in Israel where she taught English to Hebrew speaking children. She also worked for the Jewish Federation of Cleveland in its public education initiative where she managed reading tutors in eight different Cleveland City schools.
Talya’s love for children began at an early age. She grew up in a close-knit family where living Jewish values and sustaining meaningful Jewish practices and traditions positively influenced and shaped the person she is today.
Talya is excited about facilitating a dynamic classroom experience where all children thrive. “Every day in the classroom is a new adventure, an opportunity for children and teachers alike to grow. It’s a two-way street. My students learn as much from me I learn from them,” she said.

In addition to teaching Pre-K, Talya has taught sign language as an enrichment class to our 3- and 4-year-olds. She has taught Hebrew school at Park Synagogue and is an avid soccer player. Talya is a creative and crafty person and has channeled these skills through the pandemic, opening up her own Etsy shop.