Archives: Team Showcase
Post Type Description
Andrea Katzman
Meet Andrea Katzman!
Andrea is the Head of School at JCDSRI. She earned both her B.A. and M.A. from the University of Kansas, and after graduate school spent a year in Jerusalem coordinating a Jewish feminist project and directing an English language program for Ethiopian immigrants. Since moving to Providence in 1999, Andrea has taught Pre-K at JCDSRI, worked as a private educational consultant, and taught in the Education Department at Rhode Island College and at the Shoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education at Hebrew College. She is also the co-author of Purple Leaves, Red Cherries: Short Stories on Motherhood, written during a year living in Rishon LeZion, Israel.
Andrea is grateful to lead the JCDSRI community, working with students and colleagues to practice kavod (respect), hesed (kindness), and shalom (peace). She enjoys collecting snow globes, engaging in “guerilla gardening,” and spending time with her husband, Steve Jacobson, and their two daughters — both proud JCDSRI graduates.
Harshita Lakhiani
Meet Harshita Lakhiani!
Harshita is the Chief Financial Officer at JCDSRI. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Accounting from H.R. College of Commerce in India and began her career working with a stockbroker in India. Harshita values the opportunity to watch students grow and develop during their years at JCDSRI, culminating in their fifth-grade graduation.
Outside of school, Harshita enjoys gardening and cooking.
Lauren Louth
Born and raised in Warwick, RI, Lauren (Coletta) Louth loves being a nurse. She graduated RIC in 2000 after receiving a Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree and then again in 2007 with a Master’s degree in Health Education. During this time, she also obtained her license as a Certified School Nurse Teacher. She began her career in the medical field in 1997 at Rhode Island Hospital as an X-Ray Tech Associate, working her way up to becoming a Registered Nurse. After graduating college she worked in a trauma/burn unit for 5 years. She then continued to follow her dream to become a Level 1 Trauma Nurse in the Emergency Department. She also practiced as a Certified School Nurse Teacher, beginning in 2002 for the Providence School Department, and has been enjoying every day since. When Lauren is not at work, she is busy caring for her 6-year-old daughter Julia and 3-year-old son James. Lauren, her husband Jim and their children reside in Warwick.
Heidi Mace
Meet Heidi Mace!
Heidi is the Nitzanim (3-year-old) teacher at JCDSRI. She holds a degree in Travel and Tourism Management from Johnson & Wales University and is a Certified Preschool Teacher, with CPR and First Aid certification. Before finding her passion in early childhood education over a decade ago, Heidi worked as a travel agent, corporate travel consultant, payroll account manager, and sales and design associate at The Container Store. She loves being part of JCDSRI’s positive and loving environment and enjoys welcoming new families into the community.
Outside of school, Heidi has a passion for travel and enjoys drawing and creative projects — a gift passed down from her grandmother. Most importantly, she cherishes spending time with her husband and four children.
Lauren McCally Blackwell
Meet Lauren McCally Blackwell!
Mrs. Blackwell is thrilled to be entering her third year as a Kindergarten General Studies teacher here at JCDSRI! She holds a B.A. in English from Connecticut College, a TEFL Certification from ITTP Prague, and an M.A.T. from Brown University. She is also a certified PreK-6 teacher in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In Prague, Mrs. Blackwell worked for 5 years as a business English teacher and for 5 years as the ESL teacher in preschools throughout the city. After moving back to Rhode Island and completing graduate school, she worked at the French American School of Rhode Island as an English teacher and in the Swansea Public Schools. Mrs. Blackwell really looks forward to forming relationships with children and their families. She also especially loves when children first understand a new concept and use tools and strategies she taught them to problem solve independently.
In her spare time, Mrs. Blackwell loves to garden! She and her husband have a huge flower and vegetable garden at their home in Taunton, Massachusetts. She also practices yoga daily and loves going for long walks with her two standard poodle, Leo and Hera.
Rhonda Mills
Meet Rhonda Mills!
Rhonda is the 2nd Grade Yahadut (Jewish Studies)Teacher and Director of Yahadut at JCDSRI. She holds a B.S. in Elementary and Special Education from Boston University and has completed the Tal Am training program. Before joining JCDSRI, Rhonda taught at the Solomon Schechter Day School in Worcester, MA. She enjoys getting to know her students and planning engaging lessons based on their interests, as well as collaborating with colleagues to create an enriching and exciting learning experience.
Outside of school, Rhonda enjoys reading and participating in book group discussions, swimming, taking long walks, and gardening.