Kim Subrin - Chanen Preschool Director

Kim was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania but grew up in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. She spent much of her childhood involved in the Jewish Community, through her synagogue and Jewish summer camps. After completing high school, Kim moved to Illinois where she attended Illinois State University and completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and Human Relations and her Master’s degree in Human Services Counseling. After some time as a social worker, Kim realized her true passion was to work with the Jewish Community. After many summers of working at a JCC day camp and resident camp, Kim began working at the JCC in Skokie, Illinois before moving to Phoenix in 2000 to work at the Valley of the Sun JCC. Kim spent almost 10 years as the JCC at the Youth and Camping Director, creating all of their youth programs as well as starting Shemesh Day Camp and then the Program Director where she worked with JCC wide programs and all departments.

In 2009, Kim took a little break from work while she and her husband, Brian, started their family with the birth of their son Brayden. Kim started as the Director at Chanen Preschool in August of 2009. In 2011, Kim and Brian welcomed their son Parker. She feels so lucky to be part of such a wonderful community and have the opportunity to see the Chanen student’s smiling faces and hear their giggles up and down the hallways every day! It doesn’t hurt that she gets to share her school experience with her sons either!

Susan Atkins - Office Manager at Chanen Preschool

She is the face of the Front Desk and handles attendance, billing and all parent and staff questions about the preschool and more things too numerous to list. This is Susan’s third year at Congregation Beth Israel, and she loves the interaction with all the students and their families. Susan is married and has three children, two in college, and one a recent college graduate. She has worked in the Phoenix Jewish community for the past 23 years.

Mara Dobrusin - Lead Teacher/ Pre-K

I am so happy to be a part of the wonderful Chanen community. In the classroom, I love that each day is different, and the children are a constant source of amazement. Watching them learn and grow is extremely rewarding! This will be my third year teaching Pre-Kindergarten at Chanen. I have been in the education field for about 4 years. I received my undergraduate degree in Communication at Arizona State University. Soon after, I realized my desire to want to teach children and received my Master's degree in elementary education. I also enjoy spending time with my wonderful husband David, my family, and I love being Auntie Mara to Jake, Eli, Skylar, Maya and Hayden.

Lindsay Jacobson - Lead Teacher/Pre-K

I completed my elementary education degree at the University of Arizona and participated in the bilingual field methods program in Tucson. I completed my student teaching in a fourth grade classroom back in Chicago, my hometown. After working with many young children for a year after graduation I taught as a lead teacher in the 3-year-old program at North Shore School. I moved back to Arizona in 2006 and have been work as a lead teacher in Pre-K. I am currently in my 6th year as one of the Bumblebee teachers Congregation Beth Israel’s Chanen Preschool and I love what I do!

Jordan Reynolds - Lead Teacher/Pre-K

This is my 2nd year working as a part of the Chanen team. I graduated from ASU in 2008 with my Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education. I taught 1st grade for 3 years in Mesa and learned a great deal. When I am not teaching, I love to travel and go to the movies.

Heather Glovinsky - Lead Teacher/Pre K

This is my second year at Chanen. I love seeing how the children interpret information and enjoy coming up with fun, new ways to do projects. I have previously taught 1st - 3rd graders for 2 years, and tutored junior high and high school students for 5 years. I have also taught 4th & 5th grade Sunday School for 2 years. I really enjoy the staff and families at Chanen.

Wendy Logue - Lead Teacher/3's

I was born and raised in New York. I earned my BA in Elementary Education from Jacksonville University. I started my teaching career in Atlanta while getting my M Ed in Reading, Language and Literacy from Georgia State. I have taught Pre-K, Kindergarten, First Grade and was a Reading Specialist. I moved to Arizona in 2001. I was fortunate enough to be able to stay home with my children while they were young. I worked at a Preschool in Phoenix for several years before coming to Chanen. I am excited to be a part of the Chanen family. I love working with preschoolers and look forward to teaching the 3 year old Frog class and seeing the children learn and grow. When I'm not teaching, you can find me spending time with my husband and three children!

Tsovik Kabaki - Assistant Teacher/3’s

I have been working with children for a wonderful 23 years. For my first 10 years, I taught high school students, and for the past 13 years, I have been working here at Chanen. In Armenia, after graduating high school, I attended a university for 4 years. I really enjoy working with kids. Their smiles light up my day!

Courtney Haworth - Lead Teacher/3’s

During the 2010-2011 school year I was an assistant teacher in the older two’s class. This year, I am a Lead Teacher in the 3-year-old Alligator class. I have my Bachelors Degree in Education, specializing in Elementary Education. I am an Arizona State Certified teacher for ages kindergarten through eighth grade. I am so excited to be returning to Chanen Preschool for another year. I am eager to bring my education background and new ideas into the school. I love working with the staff and families of Congregation Beth Israel and Chanen Preschool.

Cheryl Klein - Assistant Teacher/3's

I come from an eclectric background ranging from traveling with the international performing group "Up With People", to working as a meeting planner in Chicago and a Benefits Manager/Trainer for Bar-S Foods here in Phoenix. We have 2 incredible daughters ages 15 and 11 and a 4 year old Schnoodle named Ollie. My experience with children comes from being a very hands on stay home mom. This is my first year at Chanen and am enjoying the Alligator room. I love the warmth and positive energy of everyone here and look forward to spending a lot more time getting to know your children.

Ari Moffitt - Lead Teacher/3's & Director of Curriculum

I have a Bachelor's in Elementary Education from U of A, and a Master's in Administrative Leadership from NAU. I have taught for over 20 years from preschool to Community College. This is my 11th year at Chanen. What I love about teaching is the ability to engage children in learning through play. I love to become a part of each of my students familiey and they in mine.

Amy Steinman-Gavartin - Assistant Teacher/3's

This is my second year at Chanen as the Assistant Teacher, and I am enjoying each day with the Fish (3 day 3's). I was born and raised in Birmingham, MI. After graduating from Butler University in 2007, I moved to Arizona to pursue a graduate degree in Nonprofit Studies. Since relocating from the Mid West, working with children has become my passion. I have been teaching Sunday school at a conservative synagogue in Scottsdale for five years. Besides spending time in the classroom, I love to row (I was on the Crew team in college), spend time with my husband Al and our two dogs: Stella and Marlo.

Dawn Wasserman - Lead Teacher/Young 2’s

I was born and raised in Philadelphia where I attended Temple University. My husband, Gregg, and I moved to Phoenix in 1996. We have two children, Sarah and Alex, both of whom attended Chanen preschool. From 2002 to 2006, I worked as an assistant teacher with the 1, 2, and 3 year old classes. After three years of pursuing special education for my son, I happily returned to Chanen in 2009. It has been wonderful to be back and to see my students' smiling faces every morning. I feel so fortunate to be a part of our preschoolers' formative years. Watching them learn and grow throughout the year is truly rewarding.

Lisa Lisk - Assistant Teacher/Young 2's

This is my first year teaching at Chanen Preschool. Prior to this position, I taught 2's and 3's in New Jersey, and 4th graders in California! I have a BA in Art Education and an MA in Elementary Education. I enjoy working with young people of all ages and currently tutor children for B'nai Mitzvah as well. My greatest accomplishment so far has been raising and nurturing my four children, ages 9 to 15. I have been married to my husband Geoff for 18 years and we recently moved our family to Arizona in 2011.

Ivy Lesser - Assistant Teacher/Young 2's

I have been teaching children for 10 years for ages infants through Kindergarten, at the JCC of Atlanta and also the JCC of Chandler. This is my 1st year at Chanen Preschool. I love all of my little "Bunnies" and am so happy to watch them grow and prosper. We have lots of fun. When I am not teaching, I love to spend time with my husband, and our family and friends.

Marcy Lewis - Lead Teacher/2’s

I am the Lead Teacher for the Older 2's classroom. This is my 6th year teaching the 2's at Chanen. I have taught the 2's for 18 years and LOVE this age group!! It's so much fun watching them develop. I grew up and had my Bat Mitzvah at the CBI on Osborn. I love sitting in the Chapel with the old pews looking at the stained glass windows that I loved seeing as a child. I have been married for 13 years and have two sons, Justin age 10 and Noah age 7.

Candi Cantin - Assistant Teacher/2's/ PE Coach

I have been teaching PE at Chanen since January 2012, and also as a floater & assistant in the Monkey Room. Prior to having my children, I have taught at preschools, tutoring centers, and even kindergarten for 10+ years. I'm originally from Chicago, where I received my degree in education at Northwestern Illinois University. I have been married for almost 17 years and have been living here ever since. We have 2 children; a daughter who is 14, and a son who is 9. Now that they're getting older, it was nice to get back with the little ones and seeing their happy faces all the time!

Seta Douzmanian - Assistant Teacher/2’s

I attended LA Community College and then became an intensive care and ER secretary where I worked in the same hospital for sixteen years. Shortly after moving to Arizona I started working at Chanen Preschool and have happily been teaching here for eleven years!

Dvora Rodich - Lead Teacher/1's

I came from Israel almost 15 years ago. I have a bachelor degree in Special Education from David Yalin Teachers Collage in Jerusalem. I have 15 years teaching experience in Israel with Pre-k children to Jr. High, from teaching children with Physical and Emotional Disabilities, to children with autism, cerebral palsy as well as deaf children with learning disabilities. I have been teaching at Chanen Pre-School for the past 13 years. In all my years of teaching, the thing that bring me the most joy, is seeing the growth and learning of each individual child .To see their smile when they succeed in achieving something new, can warm my heart. Most of all, the ability to give and get so much love to each child, is so wonderful.

Erez Kessler - Assistant Teacher/1’s

This is my 3rd year here at Chanen and I love every minute of it. I am Assistant Teacher in room 8. I am also the Music Specialist. I was born in Israel and I have 2 brothers. One of them opened a preschool 3 years ago and it's very successful. When I was 16 I started working with kids in Israel. I was a Counselor at camp, a clown at birthday parties, and performed on the stage as an entertainer or as a Master Of Ceremonies. In the summer of 2003, I started my journey in the U.S. as a Music Specialist at various Jewish summer camps. In May 2008, I met my wife and fell in love and moved to AZ. We got married in September 2009 and we just had a baby son. Chanen is a second home to me. I love coming to work and seeing the kids smiling and hearing their laughter and their voices while they are singing with me. Thank You Kim and Thank You parents for letting me work with kids that I really love it.

Mimi Krumholz - Assistant Teacher/1's

This is my first year at Chanen Preschool. Some of your older children may recognize me, I taught art for Camp Charles Pearlstein in 2012. the Turtles are a fun age to work with; I love bonding with the children, and seeing the confidence that comes from learning something new. Chanen is a loving and caring community, and I love being a part of it.

Susan Goodman - Lead Teacher/1’s

The Arizona heat is obviously not too hot for me, as I was born, raised and still live in this great state! I left Phoenix for a year to attend school in Israel and then continued in Tucson to receive my Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Arizona - GO WILDCATS!  Growing up I always loved the Chanen Preschool Program - so much that my two children attended the program and I am proud to say graduated with honors. My daughter and son learned from each age group and still practice the Jewish traditions gained through the Chanen Preschool curriculum. I'm thrilled to be part of the outstanding staff of Chanen Preschool. I am so happy to be a lead teacher in the Toddler Room and be able to teach all these wonderful boys and girls. The smiles of children are the best! I look forward to another great school year!

Gail Kehr - Assistant Teacher/1's

I grew up in the Valley and raised my family here. I've had my own business in the private sector most of my working life. About 12 years ago, I started doing volunteer work with infant-preschool age children and found a passion for it. This has been an unexpected delightful new journey for me. This is my seventh year at Chanen in the Ladybug room. I love nurturing the children and helping provide a positive foundation for their life journey.

Kim Burns - Lead Teacher/Infants

My husband and I have four children ages 20, 18, 14 and 13. I have been doing in-home childcare for the last 19 years. We have been living in Arizona for 18 years since moving here from Maryland. I'm new here at Chanen this year and love every minute of my time here with the Puppies!

Lisa Kline - Assistant Teacher/Infants

I started at Chanen in February 2011, but being a publicist & working with A-list actors is very similar to teaching and teaches you to have great patience! I love seing children learn new concepts and enjoy making learning fun. Everyone here is super nice! I enjoy coming to work every single day! I love to hangout with my family and friends, going to Zumba and Pilates. And of course, watching the AZ Wildcats! Also, I do a ton of charity work especially for kidney cancer research.

Elle Dunlap - Assistant Teacher/Infants

I have worked as a teacher for about one year and have 6+ years of experience as a nanny. I am brand new to Chanen, starting in January 2013, and hoping for many years watching the Chanen family grow. I love helping and encouraging a child's curiousity. It is so amazing to see them pick up new skills. I love the sense of community and family at Chanen. When I am not working, I love to run and go to Coyotes games!

Viviana Mankita - Hebrew & Spanish Language

The eldest of four, my father immigrated from a 'shtetl' in Europe to Mexico City, where my siblings and I were born and raised. Growing up I attended a Jewish school in Mexico, where I learned Yiddish, Hebrew and English. After high school, I earned my teaching certificate and began to teach kindergarten in a Jewish day school. In 1981 my husband and I decided to move with our four children to Los Angeles, Ca., and fifteen years later we moved to the Valley of the Sun. I have been involved in Jewish education for a very long time. I am trilingual and tricultural and I love to share my knowledge and experiences with the children. I love to cook matzo ball soup and kugel for the holidays, and tacos and tostadas for 5 de Mayo. In my spare time I like to play cards, and spend time with my grandchildren.

Jennifer Henry - Art Specialist in Austin's Art Studio

This is my first year at Chanen. I could not wish for a more exciting opportunity than being the ARt Specialist in Austin's Art Studio. Over twenty years of professional experiences as an Early Childhood Educator, Visual Arts and elementary teacher and librarian are culminated in this position. More than 25 years ago, I emigrated from South Africa with my husband, Robin and 3 children, Allan, Laura and Gail who all live in Arizona. The very best days (apart from working with Chanen's little people) are to play with my grandsons, Cooper, aged 4 and Max, aged 2 (whose parents are Allan and Jen Henry.) Robin and I love to explore Arizona and all that this beautiful state has to offer.