Archives: Team Showcase

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)!

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.

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.

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.

Meet Alison Walter!

Alison is excited to return to JCDSRI for her eighth year as Director of Development. She is also the proud parent of three JCDSRI graduates. Alison holds a B.A. in Sociology and an M.S.W. from the University of Maryland as well as a Masters of Jewish Studies and Certificate of Jewish Communal Work from Hebrew University. Prior to working at JCDSRI, Alison was the Director of Development at MetroWest Jewish Day School and Women’s Philanthropy at CJP Boston. Every year Alison looks forward to watching the students mature into amazing leaders. She also loved having morning assembly right outside of her office.

In her free time, Alison loves taking people to Israel. For the past few summers she has helped facilitate a trip of 10 moms from Rhode Island to visit Israel for 10 days!