Amy Bolotin ~
FJECC Executive Director

As a highly regarded leader in the local and national Jewish Early Childhood Education community, Amy is a passionate advocate for a child-centered, responsive approach to early childhood teaching and learning. She has participated in leadership programs such as the Paradigm Project’s Coaches Catalyzing Change and the Individual Level Training in the Brazelton Touchpoints Approach. Amy was selected as a fellow in the 2014-2016 cohort of the Jewish Early Childhood Educational Leadership Institute (JECELI), a groundbreaking program that models inquiry and reflective practice through observation, experimentation, and ongoing learning, using concepts and content acquired through Jewish study to inform the work of learning and leadership. She holds a Bachelor’s in English literature from the University of California at Berkeley and a Master’s in Infant and Parent Development from Bank Street College of Education. Amy is committed to continuing FJECC’s core principle of providing the highest quality in Jewish and secular early childhood education and, in response to the needs of families today, has the vision to bring the FJECC into the future. “The heart of my work as an educator, as a director, as a mentor and leader, lies in the relationships I build with those around me.”

Contact Amy: abolotin@tisrael.org

Stephanie Neumann ~
Office Manager

Stephanie joined FJECC as Office Manager in 2019. Originally from Connecticut, Stephanie moved to Boston in 2006 to attend Wheelock College, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities/Literature and Elementary Education. She returned to her home state where she taught 5th grade for a few years, but made her way back to Massachusetts after being introduced to her now-husband, Jake. She spent several years working as the office coordinator of a medical practice before she began her time at FJECC.

Stephanie loves that she can blend her administrative skill-set with her background in education and values the amazing work the FJECC educators do each and every day. Stephanie and Jake currently reside in Sutton with their two dogs, Charlie and Betsy. They love spending time with family and friends, the New England Patriots, and traveling (especially to the coast of Maine, where they got married in the summer of 2022).

Contact Stephanie: preschooladmin@tisrael.org

Iryna Zakhozha ~
Judaic Coordinator

Iryna has joyfully taught in Jewish Education since 1992.  Her first few years of teaching were in the Ukraine (where she was born), before continuing her career in England for several years. Since 2006 Iryna has been working at Jewish preschools in Newton and teaching 2nd grade and Kindergarten at Temple Israel's Religious School. Iryna holds a Master's Degree in Early Childhood and Jewish Education. Her love of young children and passion for Judaic teaching creates a perfect combination for integrating Judaica into every aspect of the FJECC curriculum and guiding the children through their Jewish journey.

Contact Iryna: izakhozha@tisrael.org

Arielle Frangipane ~
Programming Director
Red Room Lead Teacher

Arielle completed her B.S. in Human Development and Early Childhood Education at Wheelock College, and began her teaching career at Peabody Terrace Children’s Center, a Harvard affiliated preschool. In 2011, she moved to Buffalo, New York and pursued a M.Ed. in Literacy. While in New York, Arielle taught toddlers and preschoolers at the Jewish Community Center. After completing her degree, Arielle returned to Massachusetts and began teaching at the FJECC. Her favorite thing about teaching is helping children develop their social-emotional skills.

Arielle enjoys spending time with her husband Nick, their cat Peat, and her friends and family.

Contact Arielle: afrangipane@tisrael.org 

Atara Goldshtein ~
Red Room Lead Teacher

Atara comes from a family of educators, so it is not a surprise that she followed in their footsteps. She holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and a master’s degree in special education from Lesley University. Atara has worked with infants to elementary aged children. She taught kindergarten and second grade, facilitated infant playgroups, and conducted home visits and developmental assessments for toddlers and preschool aged children. Atara believes that learning is an ongoing journey rather than a single destination. She loves accompanying students on their journeys and often feels that she learns just as much from them as they do from her!    

Atara enjoys spending her free time with her husband, her daughter Galit (FJECC alum), and her son Idan (current FJECC student). 

Betsy Ogrinc ~
Afternoon Teacher

Coming Soon!

Miriam Franks ~
Green Room Teacher (Boston Pre-K)

Miriam completed her B.S. in Environmental Science at Wheaton College and her M.A.T. in Secondary Education at Brandeis University. While at school, she began working at the Museum of Science where she stayed for 10+ years. Over those 10 years, she worked in the Discovery Center with young children, designed activities that coincide with the K-12 Mass Frameworks, interpreted in the exhibit halls on a variety of topics, developed hands-on activities around science and engineering for students of all ages and abilities, and finally, brought the Museum to schools across New England through Traveling Programs. While there, she developed two Preschool Outreach Programs, a first for the department. Her favorite thing is to help every child see that they are scientists and engineers.

When not teaching, she can be found outside running, biking, swimming, playing ultimate frisbee, and hanging with friends.

Nicole Kroll ~
Green Room Lead Teacher (Boston Pre-K)

Nicole has been teaching preschool or PreK for 10 years, most recently at Boston Public Schools. She has two children of her own, a 4th grader and a preschooler at FJECC. When she is not teaching, she enjoys gardening, cooking, walking her two dogs, and riding her bike around Boston. As a long time member at Temple Israel of Boston she is excited to be part of the FJECC community.

Elena Greenberg ~
Purple Room Lead Teacher

Elena joined the FJECC team in 2022. Originally from New York City, she attended Binghamton University where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and graduated from Fordham University with a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education. Elena has been teaching in public and private schools since 2013. She has taught as a lead teacher for preschool, pre-K and Kindergarten in New York City and Massachusetts. Elena moved to Massachusetts two years ago with her husband, daughter (former FJECC student) and dog.

In her free time, she enjoys playing musical instruments, singing, growing fruits and vegetables in her garden and exploring nature with her family. She is excited to share another amazing year with the Purple Room team!

Sarah Tobias ~
Green Room Lead Teacher (Boston Pre-K)

Sarah grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in NYC before attending Mount Holyoke College as a member of the class of 2017. She majored in Environmental Science and Anthropology before getting her Master's degree in early childhood education. She has worked in preschool and PreK classrooms since 2018 and is excited to continue this work at FJECC! One of her favorite parts of this age group is the intense curiosity and creativity as children find their place in the world around them, and she strives to create a classroom environment that nurtures this development. 

When not in the classroom, Sarah can be found cooking, going on long bike rides, playing board games, and spending time with her guinea pigs!

Misty O’Brien ~
Blue Room Lead Teacher

Misty came to the FJECC team in 2022 with roughly 18 years of teaching experience (working with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and young elementary age children in an afterschool capacity).  She grew up in Maine with her dad and grandmother, earned her B.S. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Maine at Farmington, and has spent most of her teaching career between Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, and even spent two years teaching in Switzerland!  While in Vermont she obtained her Master’s Degree in Education. In the classroom she is passionate about literature, physical fitness, singing, and nature. 

When she isn’t teaching, Misty enjoys running, board games, reading, and trivia.

Olivia LeBlanc ~
Red Room Teacher

Olivia is excited to be a member of the FJECC family. Olivia’s love for teaching emerged at a young age from spending time in her mother’s Kindergarten classroom. Following in her footsteps, Olivia started her teaching career in 2014 and got her EEC certification in 2017 through Fisher College. 

Olivia has an immense appreciation for the arts and believes imagination and creativity are traits that foster innovation. She promotes a curriculum where students have the space to explore their creativity and use materials without constraints, envisioning the various possibilities. 

When Olivia is outside the classroom she enjoys creating different forms of art such as painting, drawing, doll making, and sewing. She also enjoys nature walks with her daughter Wren. 

Tara Schwartz ~
Yellow Room Lead Teacher

Tara has been working in classrooms since 2001 and was excited to start her first year at FJECC in 2022. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Central Florida and an M.A. in Child Development from California State University, Los Angeles. She started teaching toddlers in 2008, and quickly became a mentor to other teachers, as well as a parent educator in Los Angeles. As a toddler specialist, she enjoys assisting parents in the separation process at school and offering suggestions to try at home to encourage independence and positive behavior. She loves working with all families and integrating her knowledge into the FJECC community.

In the classroom, you can find Tara in every learning center, but she especially loves music and movement. Outside of the classroom, Tara likes to travel, explore new restaurants, and snuggle with her cat, Summer. She also loves visiting her nephew and niece in West Roxbury!

MacKenzie Elvin ~
Afternoon Teacher

Mackenzie has been working in early childhood education since 2020. She grew up in rural Pennsylvania and went on to complete a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Spanish at Penn State University in 2017. She has worked with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and pre-K children during her time in early childhood education. She loves supporting different classrooms and being able to make connections with children of all ages at FJECC. She also teaches vinyasa and yin style yoga classes in the Fenway neighborhood. In her free time, she likes to play video games, practice yoga, and explore Boston with her husband.

Ilisa Flum ~
Yellow Room Assistant Teacher

Ilisa graduated from Salem State University with a BA in Theater performance in 2020. As a enrichment leader and mentor, Ilisa found a love for childhood education. She has been working with children since 2018 and has plans on continuing her education as a drama therapist. From her experiences in theatre and childcare, she has always found it easier to influence their behavior through “play.” During her work with children she tries to implement theatre skills. Skills such as being present and empathetic when listening to others. Through the concept of “play” children are able to explore and learn more about themselves as they develop interpersonal relationships in a controlled environment. Funneling emotions actively through dance, art, performance, or song can be extremely beneficial. It is her belief that if a child finds their spark early on, it enables a healthy response to processing complex thoughts and emotions. 

When Ilisa isn’t working you can find her hosting karaoke, hanging out with her cat Mabel, or FaceTiming her niece, Evelyn. 

Aimee Weil-Meggison ~
Purple Room Lead Teacher

Aimee was excited to join the FJECC in 2022! She is grateful to be part of an organization that has an innovative approach and is looking to learn and grow as an early childhood educator along with her teaching team. Aimee earned her Bachelors of Arts in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Psychology from Lesley University in 2002. She loves being back in a city setting amidst the diversity and energy it brings. She began her teaching career at the Regis College Childrens Center shortly after graduating from Lesley. When she moved to Hopkinton in 2004, Aimee found her new teaching home at Holliston Community Childrens center where she enjoyed teaching preschool until May 2010. 

She then took 12 years off to be at home with her 3 children. During her teaching hiatus, Aimee began her journey as a self-taught professional baker. Between Fall of 2018 and winter of 2019 she gleaned training as a children’s yoga and mindfulness teacher at Childlight Yoga and Kidpowerment Yoga. She enjoys bringing this skill set into the classroom as well and is excited to share it with your children! 

In September 2020, she re-entered the field where she taught Pre-K at The Gilson JCC Early Learning Center in Sharon for 2 years. 

She loves the curiosity and genuine innocence with which young children view the world and feels so lucky to be able to experience this daily. 

Aimee enjoys hikes in the woods, frequenting the lakeside beach in her neighborhood as well as visits to the ocean throughout the summer and does as much yoga as she can fit in on a weekly basis!

Daniel Haile ~
Blue Room Assistant Teacher

Dan grew up in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. He moved to Boston in 2013 and soon after attended Boston College where he completed his B.A. in Applied Psychology and Human Development.

Dan is passionate about connecting with children through play and promoting a nurturing environment for growth and learning. His teaching experiences at Jumpstart and Malden Public Schools reinforced his love for working with children. Working alongside great teachers to create a safe and supportive learning environment is what he aims to achieve. He is excited to be a member of the FJECC team.

Outside of work Dan enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors and playing basketball.

Rianne Mares ~
Blue Room Lead Teacher

Rianne always knew she was going to work with children. While completing a B.A. in Psychology, she found a job at the BU Early Childhood Learning Lab and fell in love with teaching. She received her M.A. in Early Childhood Education from the Institute of Education in London, England. Rianne has taught toddlers and preschool children for over twenty years – fifteen at the FJECC. 

Rianne adores children’s honesty, their curiosity, learning about and discovering the world through their eyes. She believes that the most important job of an early childhood educator is to create a classroom environment where every child feels respected, loved, and supported. 

Rianne is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach and enjoys diving into a topic or theme and finding every way to explore it alongside the children.

When she isn’t teaching, Rianne spends time with her partner Andrew and her dog Fluffy Jalapeño. They love going to the beach in their hometown of Winthrop, going out to eat or cook, taking trips to Maine and hanging with friends and family! 

Kassidy Johnson~
Orange Room Lead Teacher

Coming Soon!

Sandra Levine ~
Orange Room Lead Teacher

From a young age, Sandra knew she wanted a career working with children. After working in summer camps and elementary school, she found her home in the Toddler and Preschool classroom. Sandra has a BA in Psychology, a B.Ed in Elementary Education, a Masters in Early Childhood Education from Boston College and a degree in Jewish Early Childhood Education from Hebrew College. Sandra has been working with children for over 30 years. She began working at the FJECC in 2007, after her own children graduated and went on to elementary school. She enjoys all aspects of the job, from developing and implementing curriculum to working with the families. Watching the children grow and learn is magical! She feels fortunate to have the opportunity to witness it daily.

When not in the classroom, Sandra enjoys knitting, working in her garden, and spending time with friends and family. Sandra was thrilled to take a year off to spend with her one year old granddaughter and is happy to be back at the FJECC!

Yuliete Lizarazo ~
Purple Room Assistant Teacher

Originally from Colombia, Yuliete moved to Boston in 2022. In 2023 she began to study for the process of converting to Judiasm. In 2024 Yuliete joined the FJECC and furthered her experience with Jewish early childhood education. She is fluent in English and Spanish. Yuliete believes that Jewish values in early childhood nurture the infinite potential of children, their families, and the Jewish community. In the classroom she enjoys books, arts and Shabbat activities.

She loves crochet, hiking, good books, matcha latte, and taking care of cats.

Sara Szantyr ~
Yellow Room Lead Teacher

Sara Szantyr is thrilled to be part of our vibrant learning community. Originally from the beautiful state of Maine, Sara has been dedicated to early childhood education since 2017. She describes her journey in teaching as being incredibly rewarding, and she is passionate about fostering a nurturing and creative environment for young learners.

When not in the classroom, you can find Sara indulging in her love for reading, enjoying live music at concerts, and exploring the vibrant city of Boston. She believes in the power of storytelling and hands-on creativity, leading her to her favorite activities in the classroom; messy art projects and engaging story times sessions. She's excited to bring her enthusiasm and experience to the Yellow Room adventures this year!

Jorge Mercado ~

Coming Soon!

Jessa Mulman ~
Float Teacher

Like many of the teachers at FJECC, Jessa comes from a long line of educators in her family. It is through them that she found her love for children and education. Jessa holds a bachelor's degree in Expressive Arts Therapy from Lesley University. As such, she is a very strong advocate for the idea that children all have a creative nature to them, and it is the role of the educator to help bring that creative spark to life no matter how young or old they are. Jessa could not be more thrilled to be a new face to the FJECC community. Active in the Jewish community, Jessa is looking forward to sharing her love for being Jewish with the next generation. When not teaching, she can be found watching Disney movies or playing with her 4-year-old tabby cat, Tashi. In addition, she loves to draw and paint.

Helen Cohen ~
Director Emeritas, FJECC Founding Director

Helen Cohen has been at the forefront of shaping the direction of early childhood education in the Boston area for over two decades, receiving significant recognition and accolades as a leader in the field.  She is the Founding Director of the FJECC at Temple Israel, where she served as Executive Director from 1994-2021.

Helen is a graduate of McGill University and received her master’s degree in Early Childhood and Special Education from Lesley College. She has taught both graduate and undergraduate student-teachers at Wheelock and Hebrew College and has presented at numerous conferences, including those hosted by the Bureau of Jewish Education of Boston and the Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism.

Helen has served on the Educational Advisory Council of Brookline and is a past board member of the Boston Association for the Education of Young Children.  Her work with parents, both on a daily basis and in more formal settings such as workshops, lectures and parenting programs, enable her to understand the challenges of parenting and how best to be a support. 

View Helen’s blog from her time as FJECC Director.