Early Childhood Center Staff

Early Childhood Center Director

Sandi brings over 27 years of experience in early childhood education, having served as a teacher, lead teacher, and director. Before joining Midbar Kodesh Temple, she was the Director of Seton Academy (now Primrose School). Sandi and her husband, Marc, have been active members of the Southern Nevada Jewish community for over 50 years. She brings extensive knowledge in both state licensing regulations and the implementation of developmentally appropriate educational curricula. Sandi is dedicated to fostering a warm, engaging, and high-quality learning environment for children, families, and staff.

Early Childhood Coordinator

Cheryl manages all student records for the ECC and oversees Licensing and Health District documentation and renewals. She has been a dedicated member of the Midbar Kodesh Temple team for over 9 years. Cheryl has lived in Henderson for nearly 30 years and has been married for 42 years. Her attention to detail and behind-the-scenes support help keep the ECC running smoothly.

Lead Teacher for Metukeem (18 months)

Johanna brings 24 years of experience in early childhood education. She holds an A.A. in Child Development from Los Angeles Mission College and is certified in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Johanna has valuable experience supporting children with special needs and is passionate about creating inclusive, nurturing learning environments. She has been a dedicated member of the Midbar Kodesh Temple ECC team for the past 8 years and loves teaching in the Metukeem classroom.

Assistant Teacher for Metukeem (18 months)

Sofia is excited to join the ECC team as an Assistant Teacher in the Metukeem classroom, working alongside Ms. Johanna. She has a passion for working with young children and is committed to creating a warm, supportive classroom environment. Sofia recently moved back to Henderson and is happy to be part of the Midbar Kodesh community. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends, and paddle boarding at the lake. 

Lead Teacher for Dubonim (2 years)

Ana brings over 18 years of experience in early childhood education and has been a valued member of the Midbar Kodesh Temple ECC team for more than 5 years. She holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) and previously taught in California. Ana is known for her warm, friendly, and nurturing presence in the classroom. She supports the development of independence in her students by gently teaching and encouraging them to complete simple tasks on their own.

Assistant Teacher for Dubonim (2 years)

Anthony has been a part of the Midbar Kodesh Temple ECC team for 7 years. During his time at the school, he has worked in every classroom alongside each lead teacher, gaining a wide range of experience. This year marks his third year in the Dubonim classroom with Ms. Ana, and he couldn’t be more excited to continue supporting the youngest learners. Anthony was born and raised on Long Island, New York, and moved to Las Vegas in 2010, just before starting high school. He brings energy, flexibility, and a deep commitment to the ECC community.

Lead Teacher for Pilonim (3 years)

Amanda brings over 20 years of experience teaching preschool in the Las Vegas area. She creates a structured and consistent classroom environment where students feel supported and encouraged to grow. Amanda is especially passionate about helping young children develop their social-emotional skills, including learning to express their feelings through words. She also focuses on building foundational academic skills such as fine motor development, letter recognition, and phonics to help prepare her students for Pre-K. Amanda is married and has a 7-year-old son who attends elementary school.

Assistant Teacher for Pilonim (3 years)

Mikaela is entering her fourth year at Midbar Kodesh Temple ECC and is excited to serve as the Assistant Teacher in the Pilonim classroom alongside Ms. Amanda. Over the past three years, she has gained meaningful experience working with a variety of age groups and has discovered a true passion for early childhood education. Mikaela brings warmth, compassion, and kindness to the classroom and is dedicated to creating a nurturing and supportive environment for her students. She is currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education with the goal of leading her own classroom in the future.

Lead Teacher for Kochavim (4 years)

Val brings over 22 years of experience in early childhood education and has been with Midbar Kodesh Temple ECC since its founding. She holds a B.A. in Education and has completed training in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), with prior experience supporting children with special needs. Val is known for her creativity, dedication, and leadership both in and out of the classroom. She brings passion and energy to all she does. Her classroom fosters independence and offers a thoughtful balance of play-based learning and traditional instruction to prepare children for Kindergarten.

Assistant Teacher for Kochavim (4 years)

Terri has been part of the Midbar Kodesh Temple ECC team for four years and has had the pleasure of working in several classrooms. She began in Dubonim, then continued in Metukeem and Pilonim. Terri is now thrilled to serve as the Assistant Teacher in the Kochavim classroom alongside Ms. Val. She brings warmth, consistency, and enthusiasm to her work with young children. Terri has been married for 28 years and is the proud mother of two daughters, Anabella (8) and Kalila (5). She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.

Program Specialist

Martha serves as a Program Specialist at Midbar Kodesh Temple ECC and brings over 40 years of experience in education, including the past 7 years at Midbar. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Martha is passionate about supporting both students and educators, and she brings a wealth of knowledge and warmth to the ECC community.