Ayelet Blit got her BA from Queens College in New York. She has been involved in Jewish education for the last fifteen years. She directed the religious schools of two of the largest synagogues in Las Vegas and consulted for two others. Ayelet is also a tutor for Bar/Bat Mitzvah and teaches students how to chant from the Torah.

She has been a conversion instructor for the last twelve years and helped more than 100 people achieve their dream to become Jewish. She joined the Adelson Educational campus three years ago and has worked with Middle School, Upper School, and Lower School students.

Laura Bruni graduated from California State Polytechnic, Pomona with a BA in Architecture and a minor in Philosophy. She also recently received her Master in Elementary Education. Ms. Bruni has 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.

Throughout her more than 20 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 gives her a broad perspective on the needs of the entire school community. She holds a Masters in Education, focusing on educational administration, from Washington State University, a multiple-subject teaching credential from California State University, San Bernardino, and a Bachelor of Science 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 over 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, as well as various Las Vegas projects including; musical director for The Buddy Holly Story for Super Summer Theatre and conductor for the 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.

Linda Cunningham holds a BS in Elementary Education and a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis in Literacy.  In addition to her degrees, she is certified in Early Childhood Education, as a Reading Specialist, and a teacher for English Language Learners.  During her teaching career she has taught Kindergarten through third grade, spent ten years as a Literacy Specialist for Clark County Schools, and was an adjunct professor at Sierra Nevada College.  Her true passion is teaching children to read and she is delighted to once again be working as a first grade teacher!
 

Felicia Frazee joined the former Hebrew Academy/Adelson Campus in 2007. A native Texan, Ms. Frazee has called Las Vegas home since starting at The Adelson Campus. She received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

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 former Hebrew Academy/Adelson Campus since 2004, Ms. Henke has been teaching for over 20 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.

Gary has been teaching for over a decade, and has been at The Adelson Campus since 2010. He came to Vegas in 2003 where he taught second grade at another independent private school. His education includes an MA in Education specializing in Primary Education, Child Psychology and School Leadership.  Gary also has a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. He has taught in North Carolina and the United Kingdom.

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-3. Ms. Newman joined the former Hebrew Academy/Adelson Campus in 2006. Ms. Newman strives to build a positive, creative atmosphere each and every day for her students.

Sherry Lasky has made teaching her life’s work for the past 40 years, 20+ of which have been with the former Hebrew Academy/Adelson Campus. 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 grew up in central Pennsylvania where she attended Clarion University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a minor in coaching. She is currently attending Capella University to receive her Master's degree in Educational Psychology. She has been teaching and working with children since 2005. She loves teaching and seeing the development of students throughout the school year. She uses many different tools in order to reach each and every student in her classroom.

Orly Maayan has been with the former Hebrew Academy/Adelson Campus since 2005 as a Hebrew teacher. She brings love and passion 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 west Texas and received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Utah in Human Development with an emphasis in Elementary Education. She is currently working on her Master's degree in Elementary Education. Mandy loves integrating curriculum in creative ways and believes there are so many new strategies out there that can be implemented into any curriculum. She is interested in  new styles and philosophies for the classroom because every child is an individual, and no one learns the same way. She is also the Teen Program Director for the JCC of Southern Nevada. Mandy loves football, traveling, and being in the great outdoors with her dogs.

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.

Amy joined the former Hebrew Academy/Adelson Campus in 2005. She currently indulges her strong passion for education by being a classroom specialist. 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.

David Philippus was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. Because of his strong music programs in middle and high school, Mr. Philippus has carved out an exciting and successful path for himself in music and education. Music has allowed him to travel the world and has introduced him to unique experiences. At an early age Mr. Philippus was selected to play in the McDonald's All-American Grammy Band in New York City where he learned to love Big Band Jazz and to love New York City. After earning his bachelors in Jazz Performance at the University of Nevada Las Vegas on the trombone, he followed his passion for performing to New York City where he freelanced in salsa bands and jazz clubs, and played on Broadway in the orchestra pit for Hairspray. He also toured the east coast with the Artie Shaw Band. After finishing his masters in Jazz Performance from the State University of New York at Purchase, Philippus took a job in Japan for a year, playing in a wide variety of ensembles. Upon returning to the states, Philippus decided to return to Las Vegas where he played with Alicia Keys, Natalie Cole, Michel Legrand, Neil Sedaka, Frankie Vallie, The OJ's, Michael Grimm (winner of America's Got Talent), and many more. He also performed with Phantom of the Opera the Las Vegas Spectacular, The Producers, Legends in Concert, Spamalot, Donny and Marie, and is currently playing at The Lion King Las Vegas. His love for music and education has brought him here to the Adelson School where he hopes to build the same kind of inspiring band program that has motivated his career.

Beth has been teaching for 11 years. She came to Vegas in 2005, teaching second, fourth, and mixed-grade classes in local private schools. Beth received a Bachelor’s degree in Education and Child Study from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Her M.Ed. in Reading was completed at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  Beth has also taught in Maryland, Massachusetts, and Florida.

Nicole Klein-Richter (Morah Naomi) is thrilled to be back teaching Hebrew language and Judaica. She formerly was the lead Hebrew language teacher at the Jewish Community Day School of Las Vegas for seven years and has taught at private schools since then, as a Spanish and Kindergarten teacher. Nicole has her Bachelor’s degree from University of Nevada Reno in Spanish and a Master’s degree from UNLV in bilingual education.  Having taught in Las Vegas for the past 16 years, she is delighted to have her son attend the best Jewish day school in Las Vegas!

Alicia joined the Adelson Educational Campus in 2009, and has taught primary education in Las Vegas for over 15 years.  Alicia holds a MS in Science from Nova Southeastern University and a BA from the University of Detroit. Alicia also maintains an ESL teaching endorsement in the state of Nevada. In her off time, Alicia spends time with her family and continues her education to further her continual pursuit of reaching all typles of learners. Mrs. Rivera is married and has 3 children, two of which are students at the Adelson Educational Campus.

Tami Sal grew up in Israel and earned her B.Ed at Beit Berl College. She specializes in two courses; the Hebrew language and Judaics. Tami has more than fourteen years of teaching experience. She taught 1st to 6th grade general studies and Hebrew to new immigrants in Israel. She has also taught Hebrew as a second language to lower and middle school students in Israel, Florida and Arizona. At Donna Klein Jewish Academy in Boca Raton, she was trained to teach the NETA Program; and at Pardes Community School in Phoenix, she was trained to teach the Tal Am Program. Tami is excited to join our community, and she's quite pleased that her children will be joining her at The Adelson Educational Campus.

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.

Julie Steed has been with the school since 2008. She started with teaching preschoolers before working in administration. She is currently the Preschool and Lower School Administrative Assitant.  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 in 2000, 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).

An accomplished Jewish musician, Joel Swedlove has served as the Head Songleader for camps and synagogues throughout the United States. Having performed and studied with some of the biggest names in Jewish Music, Joel provides the Adelson School with a unique voice and personality. While studying Film at Arizona State University, Joel found that his true passion was in Jewish Music, and teaching children that they are able to express their culture through music. Joel brings an energy to all of the classrooms, during Shabbat, and the various Holiday shows throughout the year. Joel is constantly working to ensure that the students at the Adelson School not only have a knowledge of the rich history of Jewish music, but also are learning about contemporary Judaic and Israeli Music. He looks forward to singing with the wonderful Adelson students for years to come.

Susan Tecktiel joined the faculty of the Adelson Educational Campus in 2010.  A veteran Jewish day school teacher, she previously taught at The Ramaz Lower School in New York City, The Abraham Joshua Heschel School in New York City, and The Epstein School in Atlanta.  Mrs. Tecktiel earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Missouri and her master’s degree in Gifted Education from the University of Louisville.  Her goal is to instill a lifelong love of learning in her students, which she fosters by building a challenging, supportive, and fun learning environment.  Mrs. Tecktiel also serves as the Director of Camp Yofi, a Jewish family camp for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, located in Georgia.

Nancy Zoller has educated young children for over 35 years, yet she still brings unbridled enthusiasm to the classroom. Ms. Zoller works 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.