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Archives: Team Showcase

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Ben Rome

Meet Ben Rome!

Ben is excited to return to JCDSRI for his second year as the 3rd grade General Studies teacher and art teacher for the upper grades. Ben studied Elementary and Exceptional Students Education at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida. Prior to working at JCDSRI, Ben worked as an experiential educator on a sailboat, served for Commonwealth Corps in New Bedford, Massachusetts and worked at a science research reserve with protected sea turtles. Every year, Ben loves seeing how much his students’ faces change from day to day as they mature (or lose teeth!).

In his free time, Ben likes to keep moving:  biking, sailing, cooking, hiking, drinking coffee–all the typical millennial stuff!

Erika Rusley

Meet Erika Rusley!

Erika is excited to return to JCDSRI for her fifth year, this year as the 5th -grade General Studies teacher and Tzedek Coordinator. She holds a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from Colby College and an M.A.T. from Boston University in English Education. Prior to working at JCDSRI, Erika has held several different positions in the field of education. She taught English-Language Arts in a variety of school settings (public, independent, charter, online), served as elementary school special education support staff and was part of the Teach for America Teacher Development Partnership. Erika was also the Co-Director of Breakthrough Providence. She continues to work as an Instructor and Coach for new teachers at Johns Hopkins University.  Every year, Erika looks forward to spending every day with amazing students and wonderful colleagues.

In her free time, Erika loves to jog, especially when she sees friends from the JCDSRI community enjoying the great outdoors on her running route!

Marissa Salvas

Meet Marissa Salvas!

Marissa is excited to return to JCDSRI for her fourth year as the 5th grade General Studies teacher and school librarian. Marissa studied wildlife biology in the Blue Ridge Mountains and took care of injured wildlife including hawks, owls, squirrels, and songbirds. She then came home to study elementary education to combine her love of science and education. She holds a B.S. in Wildlife Biology from Lees McRae College in North Carolina and an M.A.T. in Elementary Education from Rhode Island College. Prior to working at JCDSRI, Marissa was a librarian, taught at an Audubon summer camp and worked at the Rhode Island STEAM Center helping science educators across Rhode Island and promoting women in STEM fields. Every year Marissa enjoys getting to know her students and learning about the Jewish traditions.

In her free time, Marissa is writing a book!

Tiferet Sassona Rose

Meet Tiferet Rose!

Tiferet  is excited to return to JCDSRI for her sixth year as Director of TikkunXDesign – JCDSRI’s Design Lab as well as our Science Specialist for 3rd – 5th Grades. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Science from Barnard College, an M.P.S. in Environmental Interpretation from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and a Masters in Science Education from Syracuse University. Prior to working at JCDSRI, Tiferet taught middle school science at a charter school in Syracuse, N.Y. Every year, Tiferet looks forward to putting together and executing JCDSRI’s STEAM Splash: our annual week-long school-wide science festival.

In her free time, Tiferet loves making soap and growing lots of vegetables (especially garlic)!

Sage Savage

Meet Sage Savage!

This is Miss Sage’s third year in our Kindergarten classroom here at JCDSRI! She completed her undergraduate degree at SUNY Purchase College with a focus in Art History; she also  recently completed her MAT in elementary education from Concordia University in Portland, OR. Throughout her career, Sage has worked with children in a variety of learning environments, including as a paraprofessional, instructional assistant, and preschool teacher. This year, she is looking forward to being a part of the JCDSRI community and helping students learn and grow!

In her spare time, Miss Sage loves to try out new recipes to cook and enjoys practicing yoga.

Sarah Shay-Davidson

Meet Sarah Shay-Davidson!

Sarah is excited to return to JCDSRI for her eighth year. She is the 1st grade Judaic Studies teacher as well as the art teacher for the lower grades. Additionally, Sarah serves as the Haggim (Jewish holiday) Coordinator. She holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design as well as a certificate for teaching students with special needs from Hebrew College. Prior to working at JCDSRI, Sarah taught Hebrew for 7 years at Kehillah Schechter Academy in Norwood, Massachusetts (formally known as South Area Solomon Schechter). Every year Sarah looks forward to the moment when the whole community comes together on the first day of school. She cannot wait to see everyone again!

In her free time, Sarah loves to swim and her superpower is re-purposing furniture with her husband.

Chris Southiere

Meet Chris Southiere!

Chris is excited to return to JCDSRI for his sixth year! He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music. Prior to working at JCDSRI, Chris worked as a professional musician, an occupation he continues when he is not at school. He is the drummer for a band called Soulsha that tours around the country. Every year, Chris looks forward observing each student’s growth throughout the school year and he loves getting to see each student’s personality come through in different ways during recess and lunch.

In his free time, when he is not playing music, Chris loves to play soccer.

Susan Sugerman

Meet Sue Sugerman!

Sue is excited to return to JCDSRI for her eighteenth year at JCDSRI! She has played many important roles at school including classroom teacher, AISNE coordinator, scheduler, yearbook coordinator and physical education teacher. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Rhode Island and an M.A. in Counseling from Rhode Island College. Prior to working at JCDSRI, she taught, and continues to teach Physical Education at Providence Hebrew Day School. Every year, Sue looks forward to creating new games and activities for her classes. She also kvells when students work hard at a new skill and improve throughout the year.  

In her free time, she loves playing Scrabble, doing word games and puzzles and spending as much time as possible with her family. During the summer, she enjoys listening to the sound of the waves crashing onto the shore in Narragansett.