fbpx

Archives: Team Showcase

Post Type Description

Heather Cline

Meet Heather Cline!

Heather is excited to return to JCDSRI for her fifth year. She is an assistant teacher in Ilanot, and kindergarten as well as our Art teacher. Heather also serves as the JCDSRI school photographer! She holds a B.S. in Communications from Ithaca College with a Minor in Recreation. Prior to working at JCDSRI, Heather focused on caring for her family and children and worked as a real estate agent.  Heather loves being a part of such a great community at JCDSRI. It brings her great joy to witness the excitement students feel when learning something new, the pride they feel when they succeed at accomplishing a task as well as the respect and kindness they show to one another.

In her free time, Heather enjoys giving back to the community and spreading kindness. She has been an active volunteer with the American Liver Foundation for 20 years. On the side, she has her own photography business and loves to be outdoors and active – skiing, playing pickleball, tennis, golf, cycling, and going on adventures.  Spending quality time with her son and daughter and extended family truly brings her happiness.

Jill Davis

Jill is excited to return to JCDSRI for her twenty-sixth year at JCDSRI and her second year as our school principal. Jill has played many important roles during her time at JCDSRI including mentoring new teachers for over 15 years. She holds degrees in Psychology, Philosophy, and Social Work, as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching and Education with a focus on Special Education. Jill also studied Educational Psychology while in London, England at the University of Westminster. Prior to working at JCDSRI, Jill was a counselor for Newport Mental Health, Adeline Laplante Center, and Child and Family Services. She also worked as a therapist for children with Autism and their families.
Every year, she looks forward to so many things that she could not pick just one! Here are a few of things Jill looks most forward to:
  • inspiring teachers to grow to be the best teachers they can be by creating a space where teachers feel like their ideas are heard and feel comfortable and excited to work collaboratively on any given task and/or project
  • connecting with children and their families on an intimate level for trust to be established
  • developing curriculum as a whole staff that is progressive, integrated, and project-based
  • facilitating a learning space where children can thrive which helps nurture and embrace their love for learning
In her free time, Jill loves to travel with her family (her husband and five kids- 2 sets of twins). She loves to hike and trail run. She also enjoys coaching her kids in basketball and watching all five kiddos grow and thrive. And a fun fact- Jill wrote a children’s book which will be published soon!

Eileen Ellis

Meet Eileen Ellis!

Eileen is excited to return to JCDSRI for her twenty-seventh year at JCDSRI! Eileen began working as an office assistant and has made herself an invaluable member of the administrative team as the assistant to the Head of School. She holds a degree in Business Administration from the Community College of Rhode Island and as she likes to say, an advanced degree from the School of Hard Knocks. Prior to working at JCDSRI, Eileen was an assistant teacher. Every year Eileen looks forward to experiencing the life of the school – our incredible students!

A few fun facts about Eileen: she has kayaked a few bodies of water nearby including the Narrow River in Narragansett, RI. She has 5 grandchildren from 2 sons and daughters-in-law. In her past life, she was the ranch lady for black angus cattle and other barnyard friends. Shorthand is still a skill of hers. AND Eileen loves JCDSRI!

Shayna Fel

Meet Shayna Fel!

Shayna is excited to return to JCDSRI for her fifth year as Director of Admissions and Community Engagement. Shayna is a graduate of JCDSRI (formerly the Alperin Schechter Day School) and has loved getting reacquainted with the school and community that gave her a strong and meaningful foundation. She is also the proud parent of a first grader and kindergartner and has a future JCDSRI student at home who cannot wait to join the fun. Shayna holds a B.A. in Elementary and Special Education from Boston University and an M.S.W. from Hunter College. She is an independently licensed clinical social worker. Prior to working at JCDSRI, Shayna spent 15 years working with children, teens, and young adults with diverse learning needs in schools, camps and community organizations. Most recently, she worked on the admission team at Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston. Every year, Shayna looks forward to watching as students and families make JCDSRI their home for learning, exploring and experiencing joy. 

In her free time, Shayna loves to read a great novel, go to the beach and have dance parties in the rain with her kids.

Tal Ginzburg

Meet Tal Ginzburg!

Morah Tal is excited to join JCDSRI for her second year, serving as our kindergarten Judaic Studies and Hebrew teacher, as well as our fifth grade Hebrew teacher. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, and a teaching certificate in Special Education from Beit Berl College in Israel. In Israel, during her internship, Morah Tal was a teacher for children with ADHD and learning disabilities. After that, she served as a lead teacher for second and third grades. Upon moving to the US, Morah Tal worked as a lead teacher at the Early Childhood Center at the JCC, working with children ages infants to 3-years-old. Morah Tal is very excited to meet all of the children and teachers here at JCDSRI and watch as her students grow, develop and learn new skills and concepts.

In her spare time, Morah Tal enjoys baking and cake designing!

Patricia Goldman

Meet Patricia Goldman!

Mrs. Goldman is honored to be returning to JCDSRI this year for her second years as the second and third grade General Studies teacher. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Rhode Island College. Mrs. Goldman also studied Waldorf Education at Antioch University and Sunbridge College. Before joining JCDSRI, she worked at a Waldorf school where she followed her students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Mrs. Goldman looks forward to getting to know the children and the community and to working in partnership with parents and colleagues.