Staff

Sandi Cramer
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.

Carol Livingston
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.

Danielle Weinstien
Administrative Coordinator
Danielle assists with day to day operations, email communications and event planning. She has worked at Midbar for over 3 years. She, her husband and 2 children have belonged to Midbar for over 5 years, having had both their kids pass through the ECC and now involved in Religious School.

Cheryl Orsini
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.

Joanna Gonzales
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.

Ana Arellano
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.

Martha Grainger
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.

Sharon Winkler
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.

Valerie McAlister
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.