JCC Chicago proudly congratulates our Early Childhood educators that have gone above and beyond in their roles on behalf of the children and families they serve.

Winners were selected from Early Childhood community nominations based on the seven lenses of Sheva—an approach that recognizes that in order to offer excellence, you must hire and support excellence in your educators. With Sheva, learning is a team effort between staff, children and their families.

Gabriel Shubert, JCC Chicago Early Childhood at Beth Emet
K’dushah: uses the environment as inspiration for inquiry

Gabriel exemplifies K’dushah in the way they approach teaching the Pomegranates every day. Whether setting up special provocations in their room based on the children and through to our light room to explore light and color – they use every opportunity to make learning special. Their enthusiasm for the world around them encourages the children to learn and explore. The nooks and crannies of our site have become learning spaces, underneath the stairs became a cave, the big multipurpose room a forest, and our playground the science lab.

Mara Stroesser, Jacob Duman Early Childhood Center
Masa: focuses on process vs. product and makes the learning visible

Mara understands what children need and meets them where they are. She is highly reflective and is constantly thinking about how to engage the children in meaningful ways. She sees their potential and allows them to work through the process in activities and social skills. Her style is not focused on outcome, rather the experience. Her specialty is sensory play, and she can often be found arm deep in mud soup or rocking out in a dance party. Mara understands that these are precious babies who are learning the ins-and-outs of this world for the very first time. She holds this dear as she helps them navigate being part of a community and never strays from giving them the best experience and scaffolds to bring out their potential.

Katie Bean, Bernard Weinger JCC
Tikkun Olam: advocates for children and education to make a meaningful difference

Katie is incredibly creative in finding ways to stimulate the children’s interests in her room. She offers them a variety of ways to play and is incredibly loving and supportive of our child and his friends. The first year of life is filled with firsts and incredibly important from a developmental perspective and she is so wonderfully adept at working through developmental milestones. Our son is super excited to get to the JCC and doesn’t want to leave at the end of the day.

Laurie Bagan, JCC Chicago Early Childhood at Am Shalom
Tzelem Elohim: supports the understanding that children are capable and full of potential

Laurie exemplifies Tzelem Elohim. She has dedicated her life to educating children with varying needs, backgrounds and abilities. Laurie patiently works with her students and adapts her lessons to best support them during their unique growth academically and social-emotionally. She is a model teacher and treasured member of our early childhood community, beloved by children, parents and her colleagues.

Rachel Silverman, ‘Z’ Frank Apachi
B’rit: fosters a sense of belonging and commitment to building community

Rachel has a unique way of communicating with parents, children and colleagues to make her classroom feel like a true community. She welcomes everyone with genuine warmth, accepts people for who they are focusing on strengths and abilities, and listens intently to the thoughts and ideas of others. In addition, she asks insightful questions, and takes the time to reflect on her interactions with others. Rachel consistently demonstrates kindness and creates an environment where all children and adults are respected and appreciated.

Sarah Wolper, Bernard Horwich JCC
D’rash: acts as a researcher, learning and exploring alongside the children

She sees through the children’s eyes of how they view the world and how they learn.

Veronica Orochena, Florence G. Heller JCC 
Hit’orerut: reinvents the familiar and finds beauty in the world around them

Veronica has a natural ability to capture the children’s attention through the engaging activities she creates. She always has a positive demeanor that invites the children to learn and experience the world around them. Her activities spark their interest and encourage their imagination as they stomp like elephants down the hallway or paint with flowers outside. Veronica works with her team to create activities that explore items and materials in new ways. The children are excited to come to school each day!