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.
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.
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.
Meet Laurie Noorparvar!
Laurie is the Lower School Ivrit (Hebrew) & Yahadut (Jewish Studies) Support Teacher at JCDSRI. She holds a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Rhode Island. She has been teaching since 1989 in a variety of school settings. Laurie especially looks forward to the first day of school each year, eager to welcome her students and watch them explore and grow in their classroom environment.
Outside of school, Laurie enjoys discovering new topics to share with her Ilanot students, reading, taking walks, cooking and baking, finding craft projects and recipes on Pinterest, and admiring her neighborhood’s landscaping.
Meet Amy Norton!
Amy is the Early Childhood Yahadut (Jewish Studies) Teacher at JCDSRI. She holds a B.S. in Child and Family Studies from Southeast Missouri State University and previously taught preschool at the Linda Rotskoff Early Childhood Center at B’nai Amoona Synagogue. Amy is passionate about impacting young lives in the Jewish community and loves watching children grow and thrive. She is excited to be part of the JCDSRI family.
Outside of school, Amy enjoys cooking, baking, and going for long walks. Since moving to Rhode Island, she especially loves visiting the beach with her family.
Meet Erika Rusley!
Erika is the 5th Grade General Studies Teacher and Tzedek Coordinator at JCDSRI. She holds a B.A. in English and Creative Writing from Colby College and an M.A.T. in English Education from Boston University. Her experience in education includes teaching English Language Arts in public, independent, charter, and online schools; serving as elementary school special education support staff; and working in the Teach for America Teacher Development Partnership. Erika was also the Co-Director of Breakthrough Providence and continues to serve as an instructor and coach for new teachers at Johns Hopkins University. She loves spending her days with JCDSRI’s amazing students and colleagues.
Outside of school, Erika enjoys jogging — especially when she spots friends from the JCDSRI community along her running route.
Meet Tiferet Rose!
Tiferet teaches at JCDSRI and 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 Master’s in Science Education from Syracuse University. Before joining JCDSRI, she taught middle school science at a charter school in Syracuse, NY. Tiferet especially enjoys organizing and leading JCDSRI’s annual STEAM Splash, a week-long school-wide science festival.
Outside of school, Tiferet enjoys making soap and growing vegetables — especially garlic.
Meet Sarah Shay-Davidson!
Sarah teaches Kindergarten Yahadut (Jewish Studies) at JCDSRI and also serves as the Haggim (Jewish Holiday) Coordinator. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design and a certificate in teaching students with special needs from Hebrew College. Before joining JCDSRI, Sarah taught Hebrew for seven years at Kehillah Schechter Academy in Norwood, Massachusetts. She especially looks forward to the first day of school, when the entire community comes together.
Outside of school, Sarah enjoys swimming and re-purposing furniture with her husband — a shared creative superpower.
Meet Robert “Mr. Bob” Sousa!
Mr. Bob works in the After School Program at JCDSRI. He studied Early Childhood Education at CCRI and taught preschool at the Jewish Alliance for 13 years in a variety of roles. Known for his positive and supportive interactions with students, he enjoys creating a welcoming and engaging environment for all children.
Outside of school, Mr. Bob sings in a church choir, goes fishing, and enjoys wood carving (whittling).
Meet Chris Southiere!
Chris teaches at JCDSRI and holds a Bachelor of Music from Berklee College of Music. Before joining the school, he worked as a professional musician — a career he continues outside of school as the drummer for the nationally touring band Soulsha. Chris enjoys watching each student’s growth over the school year and seeing their personalities shine during recess and lunch.
In his free time, when not playing music, Chris enjoys playing soccer.