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Eileen Ellis

Meet Eileen Ellis!

Eileen is excited to return to JCDSRI for her twenty-seventh year at JCDSRI! Eileen began working as an office assistant and has made herself an invaluable member of the administrative team as the assistant to the Head of School. She holds a degree in Business Administration from the Community College of Rhode Island and as she likes to say, an advanced degree from the School of Hard Knocks. Prior to working at JCDSRI, Eileen was an assistant teacher. Every year Eileen looks forward to experiencing the life of the school – our incredible students!

A few fun facts about Eileen: she has kayaked a few bodies of water nearby including the Narrow River in Narragansett, RI. She has 5 grandchildren from 2 sons and daughters-in-law. In her past life, she was the ranch lady for black angus cattle and other barnyard friends. Shorthand is still a skill of hers. AND Eileen loves JCDSRI!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.