Our Faculty and Administration

Head of School – Nan Jarashow

Drawing on her background in religious studies, her training and experience as an elementary educator, and her tenure as the mother of three, Nan Jarashow enjoys the opportunity Aleph Bet offers to challenge students to grow intellectually and spiritually and to help them find integration in that growth. Ms. Jarashow holds a B.A. in Religious Studies from Carleton College and a M.A.T in Elementary Education from The George Washington University.

General Studies – Allison Herman

Years of teaching various ages and mothering three sons have led Allison Herman to incorporate multiple modalities in her instruction, ensuring that she reaches each of her students and provides the early success that gives them confidence as learners. Ms. Herman holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Maryland, College Park.

General Studies – Kathy Poerstel

Experience as the mother of three very different children has helped to shape Kathy Poerstel's commitment to challenging gifted students, supporting those who struggle, and helping all students to accept themselves and others as unique learners.  Mrs. Poerstel holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She participated in the M.A. Program in Educational Technology Leadership at George Washington University and is trained in the Orton Gillingham Method of reading instruction and remediation. In addition to being a general studies homeroom teacher, Mrs. Poerstel heads our Technology and PE programs.

General Studies - Heather DeBuse

Heather DeBuse seeks to provide a safe, friendly environment conducive to active learning that gives students the courage to take risks and to learn in a manner that suits their individual learning styles.  She has more than ten years’ classroom experience, a B.A. in Elementary Education from University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and a Masters of Education in Reading from Loyola College.

General Studies – Stacy Shaener

Mrs. Shaener brings to the Aleph Bet classrooms experience and expertise in reading instruction, a commitment to developing students’ mathematical reasoning and building strong computation skills, and a talent for making history come alive. She finds particular pleasure in being part of a community where students’ Jewish identity is an integrated feature of their everyday life. Mrs. Shaener holds a B.A. in English, from the University of Albany and received Elementary Certification from Kean College. She was trained at the Singapore Math Institute at Worcester College and has been a presenter at the national conference on Singapore Math.

Art – Gloria Cohen

Gloria Cohen is committed to child-centered learning that fosters critical thinking. She promotes creativity in her students and sustains their natural curiosity and love for learning. A working artist with her own practice, Mrs. Cohen has taught art in independent schools, and she has offered private studio instruction to children and adults. Mrs. Cohen received a B.A. in English and Communications, with a minor in Fine Arts, from Long Island University, and she has pursued extensive graduate study in painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, and art history.

Hebrew & Judaic Studies – Cheryl Krushat

Through daily use of Hebrew and discussion of holidays, mitzvot, and Torah, Cheryl Krushat helps students to develop a positive sense of identity and pride - personally as a Jew, and collectively with the Jewish people.  Mrs. Krushat has a bachelor=s degree in visual arts from Goucher College, an M.P.H. in public health education from the University of California, Berkeley, and has completed course work in Hebrew, Biblical History, and Jewish Education at Baltimore Hebrew University.  She has worked as a Jewish educator for twenty years.

Fifth Grade

Our fifth grade curriculum prepares our students for the next stage in their lives: middle school. Through departmentalization, fifth graders have the opportunity to experience distinct periods and subjects while reconnecting with familiar teachers.  The teachers who share their expertise and experience are: Stacy Shaener – Math and Social Studies; Heather DeBuse – Language Arts; Nan Jarashow – Science.

Hebrew & Judaic Studies – Hagit Leibowitz

Hagit Leibowitz brings breadth of experience and living knowledge of Judaism to her students, helping them to find meaning and joy in Jewish tradition. Her classroom is warm and alive with Hebrew. Trained as a lawyer in Israel, Mrs. Leibowitz transitioned into the field of education after moving to the U.S. She has taught in Jewish day and supplementary schools for many years. Mrs. Leibowitz holds an LL.B. degree from Bar Ilan University and an LL.M from Tel Aviv University, is trained in Tal Am Curriculum Development, and has completed course work in second language teaching.

Music – Elizabeth Melvin

Elizabeth Melvin believes that her role as a music teacher is to help students discover the joy of music-making that is available to everyone, regardless of "talent" or whether an instrument is available. She sees music as one of the best ways to build bridges between cultures, between generations, and between communities. Ms. Melvin holds a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies (Concentration on Music and Folklore) from the University of North Carolina and has done graduate study in ethnomusicology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.