Group: Faculty & Staff

Meet Andrea Katzman!

Andrea is excited to return to JCDSRI for her sixteenth year, and her fifth as Head of School. Andrea earned both her BA and MA from the University of Kansas and immediately after finishing graduate school, lived in Jerusalem for a year where she coordinated a Jewish feminist project and directed an English Language learning program for Ethiopian immigrants.

In 1999, Andrea and her family moved to Providence and a few years later, she began teaching Pre-K at JCDSRI. Andrea has also served as a private educational consultant and taught in the Education Department of Rhode Island College and in the Shoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education at Hebrew College. In 2009-10, Andrea and her family lived in Rishon LeZion, Israel, during which time she co-wrote and published her first book, Purple Leaves, Red Cherries: Short Stories on Motherhood. 

Andrea is grateful to be Head of School at JCDSRI and – together with her students and colleagues at JCDSRI – spends her days building community and practicing kavod (respect), hesed (kindness), and shalom (peace). She has an extensive snow-globe collection and regularly perpetrates acts of “guerilla gardening”. Andrea and her husband, Steve Jacobson, have two college-age daughters, both of whom are proud graduates of JCDSRI!

Meet Harshita Lakhiani!

Harshita is excited to return to JCDSRI for her twenty-fourth year, first as the Business Manager and now as the Chief Financial Officer. She holds a Bachelors in Economics and Accounting from H.R. College of Commerce in India. Prior to working at JCDSRI, Harshita worked with a stockbroker in India.  Every year, she looks forward to the fifth-grade graduation as she sees students, whom she has known since pre – kindergarten, all grown up and ready for middle school!

In her free time, Harshita loves gardening and cooking.

Meet Heidi Mace!

Heidi is in her second year as the Nitzanim (3-year-old) teacher here at JCDSRI! She has a degree in Travel and Tourism Management from Johnson and Wales University, and is also a Certified Preschool Teacher. Heidi is also certified in CPR and First Aid. In the past, Heidi has worked as a Travel Agent, Corporate Travel Consultant, Payroll Account Manager, and as a Sales and Design Associate at The Container Store, and she finally found her passion in teaching preschool 13 years ago. She has really enjoyed meeting all the wonderful families that come through our doors and can’t wait to be part of such a positive and loving environment here at JCDSRI!

Heidi has always had a passion for travel. She truly enjoys drawing and being creative, a gift passed down from her grandmother. Most importantly, Heidi enjoys spending quality time with her four children and husband.

Meet Laurie Noorparvar!

Laurie is excited to return to JCDSRI for her sixteenth year as an Ilanot teacher. She holds a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Rhode Island. Prior to working at JCDSRI, Laurie has taught since 1989 in different school settings. Every year, Laurie looks forward to the first day of school! She can’t wait to see the children in the classroom and watch them navigate their new and exciting environment. 

In her free time, Laurie loves exploring new areas of interest for her Ilanot students. She enjoys reading, taking walks, cooking/baking, finding new craft projects and recipes on Pinterest, and seeing her neighborhood’s landscaping.

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!