The mother of two, Beth Baracani is among a small cadre of teachers who are parents at The Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she moved to Las Vegas with her family in 2006. This year marks her second year on our faculty. Ms. Baracani holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, and a post-baccalaureate degree in education from Cardinal Stritch University. Her passion for teaching shines through every day in the classroom where she says “I just love the little ones and watching them grow and develop is so rewarding for me.”

Beth Blaustein moved to Las Vegas two years ago from Beachwood, Ohio. She joins The Adelson Educational Campus this year as the Lower School Computer Technology teacher, the lower school Librarian and upper school Library/Media Aide. She holds a BS in Elementary Education K-8 from Ohio State University and a Technology Certification from Notre Dame College of Ohio. She is thrilled to be growing her programs from the ground up.

Ms. Borenstein received her BS from the University of Arizona with a major in Family Studies and a minor in art. She then went on to continue her education, receiving a post graduate degree in counseling and child development from the Cairn Miller Institute in Melbourne, Australia. Shortly thereafter she worked as an art teacher at an after-school educational facility working with children ranging in ages from 18 months to 12 years. She is excited to be part of The Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy team and thrilled for the opportunity ot provide a fun, enthusiastic and creative environment in which the children can grow and flourish.

Laura Bruni graduated from California State Polytechnic, Pomona with a BA in Architecture and a minor in Philosophy.  Ms. Bruni continued her education and went on to earn a California Teaching Credential along with special certification to teach English as a second language. She was a teacher for 11 years in California, as well as a literacy coach where she helped train and support teachers in implanting the literacy program. Her training includes two-years of early literacy training through LAUSD, participant in the UCLA literacy project, LAUSD training in literacy for readers and attended the California Governor’s Literacy Institute.  Ms. Bruni was a state presenter at the California Kindergarten Conference where she presented material that promoted literacy across the curriculum.  She was selected as a lead teacher to promote effective instructional strategies as part of a special program through USC.  She also received extensive training in Writer’s Workshop to effectively promote writing in elementary schools when her school received the largest Annenberg Grant ever given to one school.

Deborah Castille received her undergraduate degree in child development, with an emphasis on family studies, from California State University, in her hometown of Los Angeles more than 20 years ago. Since then, she has built a successful and rewarding career working with young children — and still enjoys every minute of it. Married for 18 years, Ms. Castille has three school-aged children. Debbie looks forward to beginning her masters program in early childhood education within the next 12 months.

Throughout her more than 19 years of service to the educational community, Stacy Colwell has provided excellent leadership to a variety of schools with a continual emphasis on improving instruction for all students. Her background as a school administrator, teacher trainer, mentor, and classroom teacher give her a broad perspective on the needs of the entire school community. She holds a master’s in education, focusing on educational administration, from Washington State University, a multiple-subject teaching credential from California State University, San Bernardino, and a bachelor’s degree in communication arts from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Married for more than 20 years, with a daughter who attends The Adelson Educational Campus, Ms. Colwell enjoys quality time with her family, reading, playing games, swimming and golfing.

Thom Culcasi has been a musical director, voice teacher and singer/actor for the last twenty years all over the United States, Canada, and Europe. As a musical director and conductor, Thom has worked for the Rubicon Theatre Educational Outreach and Youth Program in Ventura, California for the last two years. Thom’s recent Las Vegas projects include musical director for The Buddy Holly Story for Super Summer Theatre and conductor for the upcoming production of COMPANY for the Nevada Conservatory Theater. Mr. Culcasi was a teaching fellow at Wesleyan University’s Center for Creative Youth in the music and theater programs. He graduated from The Boston Conservatory and its sister schools The New England Conservatory and Emerson College.

This is Debbie’s second year in the preschool. She is excited to be working with the three year-old class this year. A former New Yorker, she received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Queens College. She extended her studies in Early Childhood Education at Southern Nevada Community College. Mrs. Fink and her husband moved to Las Vegas nine years ago. They have one child who attends The Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy.

Felicia Frazee joined the The Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy in 2007. This will be her third year teaching second grade. A native Texan, Ms. Frazee has called Las Vegas home for two years. She received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

After teaching in our preschool program for two years, Jennifer George has joined our Junior Kindergarten Program. Prior to joining The M.I.S. Hebrew Academy faculty, Ms. George taught at The Challenger Schools for six years, both in Northern California and Las Vegas. While there she participated in Challenger's teacher certification and attained their highest level, Master Gold Teacher. Previously, she was with Achieve in Northern California teaching special needs children ages 7-12 in their after-school recreational program. While living in Northern California she attended both Foothill and West Valley College, studying early childhood education. Ms. George recently completed her Child Development Accreditation, a nationally accredited certificate program for early childhood educators. This is Ms. George’s fifth year at The Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy.

An 18-year veteran teacher, Yvonne Greenfield began her career at The M.I.S. Hebrew Academy in 1999, after relocating from New Jersey. Ms. Greenfield, who views each child as a unique person, believes in teaching the entire child, focusing on confidence-building and elevating self-esteem. She is selflessly devoted to making a difference in each child’s life and inspiring a lifelong love of learning, so it came as no surprise when Ms. Greenfield was named “Teacher of the Year” by the Summerlin Children’s Forum in 2000. She recently completed her Child Development Accreditation, a nationally accredited certificate program for early childhood educators. Yvonne is also active in the community, teaching religious school and helping in various local youth activities.

With a passion for tapping into little ones’ minds to create great thinkers and learners who are not afraid to take risks, Dena Henke strives to create a challenging and safe classroom environment for children to thrive and grow. A teacher at The Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy since 2004, Ms. Henke has been teaching for over 16 years. She holds a Master’s degree in psychology and a BA in human development. Gifted in art, Ms. Henke is fond of using this medium in the classroom to challenge creativity.

After studying at the University of Pittsburgh from 2001-2005 and obtaining a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Jacki Holjencin relocated to the Las Vegas area. Shortly after arriving, she was thrilled to accept a position as a preschool educator at The Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy. She joined the school in 2005 as a teacher in the preschool and junior kindergarten and is currently taking classes to complete her master’s degree in special education.

Ms. Innazzo, who goes by “Kiki,” taught preschool and religious school for the past 13 years. Kiki studied at the school for Jewish Studies in New York and is currently completing her accreditation in Early Childhood Education. Kiki started in 2008 with The Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy and she is very excited to be teaching three year-olds with her co-teacher Susy Torres. Kiki also has two children enrolled at The Adelson Educational Campus.

Sherry Lasky has made teaching her life’s work for the past 38 years, 19 of which have been with The Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy. A tremendous asset, Ms. Lasky brings expertise, professionalism, history and stability to our school every day. A graduate of the University of California at Fresno, majoring in history and elementary education, she holds lifetime teaching certifications in California and Texas, and has maintained a Nevada teaching credential in elementary education since 1990. Ms. Lasky’s value to our community has also been recognized, notably as a 2004 Summerlin Children’s Forum Evening of Excellence honoree.

Olivia Lowe grew up in Montgomery, Pennsylvania and graduated from Clarion University of Pennslyvania with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a minor in coaching. She has taught kindergarten in her home state and first grade here in Las Vegas. She moved to Las Vegas in 2007 and enjoys coaching, playing soccer and hiking at Mt. Charleston with her dog.

Orly Maayan has been with The Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy since 2005 as a Hebrew teacher, bringing love and passion to teach about Israel and its official language to our lower school students. Ms. Maayan enriches our Hebrew programs with multi-media and hands-on learning. Born in the southern city of Eilat by the Red Sea, Ms. Maayan holds a masters degree in the science of metaphysics from the University of Sedona, Arizona, and a bachelors degree from University of Lexington. She is also a member of the ATA (American Translators Association) and a Reiki Master. She has two amazing children in Las Vegas, two dogs and a cat.

Mandy Mace grew up in Texas and has lived in Las Vegas for the past year and a half, where she has been program director at the JCC. She has her bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies with an emphasis on education from the University of Utah. She loves to the great outdoors and traveling. In addition to teaching math, she coaches volleyball.

Antoinette taught kindergarten at the Isidore Newman Independent School in New Orleans for more than a decade before moving to Las Vegas. She received her BA from the University of San Diego, California in French and Spanish. She is also fluent in Italian. She did her post graduate studies in elementary teaching at California State University, Dominquez Hills. She holds teaching credentials in both California and Lousiana.

Jennifer Newman received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and went on to pursue a career in teaching grades K-2. Ms. Newman joined The Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy in 2006. Ms. Newman team teaches first grade with fellow faculty member Nancy Zoller. Working together, they strive to build a positive, creative atmosphere each and every day for their students.

Amy joined The Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy in 2005. She currently indulges her strong passion for educating and working with toddlers and young children by teaching the two year-old program. Ms. Novak earned her bachelor’s in early childhood education from Western Illinois University and is completing her master’s in the same field from the University of Phoenix. Her goal is to earn a doctorate in education and, in the future, teach early childhood education, child development and special education classes at the university level.

Alicia returns to teaching after taking time off to be a stay-at-home mother and active PTA volunteer. Previously she taught first and second grade at various area elementary schools, including Lummis, Red Rock, Fong and Elbert Edwards. Ms. Rivera holds a MS in Science from Nova Southeastern University and a BA from the University of Detroit.

Courtney Schorr grew up here in Las Vegas. She received her bachelor's degree in Fine Arts/Film Studies from the University of Colorado, Boulder. After a short three-year stint working in Hollywood, Miss Schorr moved to New York to get her masters in education from Bank Street College and to pursue her calling which is working with children. Miss Schorr has taught at independent schools in both Manhattan and Brooklyn, and she is thrilled to be teaching closer to her friends and family out west.

Karin Soresman studied in South Africa, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. After immigrating to the United States, she earned another bachelor’s degree and went on to teach in day schools for two decades. Throughout her impressive career, she has received many awards as well as recognition for excellence, conferred by institutions in both South Africa and the United States. Nominated for “Teacher of the Year” (a Disney award), Ms. Soresman advanced all the way to the final round, and was later recognized by KVBC-TV, Channel 3 in Las Vegas as their “Teacher of the Month.” With extensive training in speech and drama, she has produced many plays, and has completed her director’s certificate in preschool education. Ms. Soresman says she is “thrilled to be entrusted with educating and promoting the best interests of each child in line with the philosophy of The Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy.”

Julie Steed started last year at The Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy teaching preschoolers before moving to the administration. She is an East Coast native. For 25 years, Ms. Steed operated a preschool in her home, fulfilling her desire to teach and be a stay-at-home mom for her four children and later to school her two grandchildren. She joins our faculty from Seton Academy West, where she was also a preschool teacher. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, she came to Las Vegas 10 years ago, by way of San Jose, California. Her commitment to teaching continues to be fueled by her love of children and “the joy of watching them grow, learn and develop into their own little selves.” She holds an E.C.E. in preschool early childhood education, and is also a C.D.A. (Child Development Associate).

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Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, Suzan Torres lived in Los Angeles for 24 years and taught at Temple Emanuel, a preschool in Beverly Hills, before moving to Las Vegas five years ago. This is Susy’s third year teaching at The Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy. Mrs. Torres is accredited by the Child Development Association, has her associate’s degree in early childhood education and is currently completing her bachelor’s degree. The mother of two of our students, she is excited to be able to impart her knowledge and skills to her students at The Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy for the third year.

Ms. Tregerman is a transplant from Baltimore, Maryland and a graduate of the University of Maryland in Baltimore County. She holds a BA in political science. She moved to the Las Vegas area eight years ago, and has three children enrolled at The Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy. Stacey joined the faculty of The Milton I. Schwartz Hebrew Academy in 2008. Stacey is currently completing her accreditation in Early Childhood Education.

Nancy Zoller has educated young children for 35 years, yet she still brings unbridled enthusiasm to the classroom. Ms. Zoller and first grade teacher Jennifer Newman combine their talents to create a nurturing classroom environment where children love to learn. For 25 years, Ms. Zoller distinguished herself as lead second grade teacher at Dedham Country Day School near Boston, where she developed curricula and received grants for community service work. A graduate of Smith College, Massachusetts, she holds degrees in psychology and education.