Staff

Early Childhood Center Director

Sandi has over 27 years of experience in early childhood education as a teacher, lead, and director. Prior to her coming to Midbar Kodesh, Sandi served as Director of the Seton Academy (now known as Primrose School). Sandi and her husband Marc are long-time members of the Southern Nevada Jewish Community dating back over 50 years. Sandi is very knowledgeable about everything from licensing to educational developmentally appropriate curriculum. 

Office Manager

Carol oversees all office matters. She has worked at Midbar for over 3 years and handles all financial interactions, manages faculty, maintains organizational systems, and collaborates with volunteers, staff and board to ensure programming and event flow. Previously, she worked within Real Estate, hospitality and just prior to coming on staff at Midbar, Carol worked at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) as their office manager. She has 3 daughters, 2 grandchildren and a Boston terrier.

Project Manager & Events Director

Marci is a native of Las Vegas and has been a part of the Midbar Kodesh family since the beginning. Marci is married to Joel and has four boys. Each of them has gone through the ECC and has become a bar mitzvah. Marci has held multiple roles over the years, from Youth Director to Religious School Director, Religious School teacher, and administrative assistant in Midbar's front office. She has also taught Special Education students in high school for over twenty-plus years. Now, you will see Marci in the Midbar office as she helps to create and implement our programming; coordinates volunteers, and manages our social media presence.

Early Childhood Coordinator

Cheryl handles all paperwork for students within the ECC and oversees all Licensing and Health District documentation and renewals. Cheryl has worked at Midbar for over 8 years. She has lived in Henderson for close to 30 years and has been married for 42 years.

Lead Teacher for Metukeem (18 months)

Johanna has 23 years of experience working in Early Childhood.  She graduated from Los Angeles Mission College, where she obtained an A.A in Child Development.  Johanna has certification in A.B.A Therapy and has experienced in helping children with special needs. She has been working at Midbar for 7 years, and enjoys teaching the Metukeem class.

Lead Teacher for Dubonim (2 years)

Ana has over 17 years of experience in Early Childhood and has been at Midbar for over 4 years. She holds a CDA (Child Development Associate) and previously taught in California. Ana has a warm, loving and friendly personality. She has the ability to nurture the independence of her students by teaching and encouraging them to complete simple tasks on their own.

Lead Teacher for Dubonim (2 years)

Martha has more than 40 years of experience in education, 6 of which have been here at Midbar. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Martha’s family includes her mother and step dad, three adult sons, two daughters-in-law, three grandchildren and a variety of dogs and cats, and a tortoise.  She volunteers with scouts, and likes to camp, hike, swim, do yoga and travel.

Lead Teacher for Pilonim (3 years)

Sharon has taught at Midbar for over 10 years and she, along with her family, have been members at Midbar for more than 24 years. Sharon received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Development from California State College Northridge. She taught for 8 years at the Highland Park Community Nursery and Daycare Center in Chicago. Sharon has also been a preschool Lead Teacher at The Challenger School and at The Henderson International School. She brings her background in Early Childhood Education and Judaism to the children and, as this age group especially enjoys learning through movement, music, art, experimentation and exploration, Miss Sharon is proud to be a facilitator of their learning experience and looks forward to many more rewarding years of teaching.

Lead Teacher for Kochavim (4 years)

Val has over 21 years of experience in Early Childhood, teaching at Midbar since the start of the school. She holds a BA in Education and previously worked with special needs children having also completed training in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). You’ll catch Miss Val directing and filming short videos with her students, running annual fundraisers such as the Shabbat spirit shirts or our school photo shoots, or putting together amazing Hanukkah and end of year shows. Miss Val’s classroom fosters independence and teaches with a good balance of learning through play and traditional classroom learning to prepare the children for their next step to Kindergarten.