Younger Infant Educators – Classroom Arnahvot (Bunnies)
Kristen Miller, Marjorie Rice, Tabitha Landy
Older Infant Educators – Classroom Dageem (Fish)
Hanna Amanuel, Ashia Patterson
Young Toddler Educators – Classroom Giraffot (Giraffes)
Bryce Tallon, Emma Northman
Older Toddler Educators – Classroom Doobeem (Teddy Bears)
Tobias Flowers, Emma Honkola
Young Twos Educators – Classroom Parparim (Butterflies)
Michelle Mark, Sarah Epstein
Older Twos Educators – Classroom Araypht (Lions)
Jasmine Adams, Kristen Schwalm, Elana Eydelman
Threes Educators – Classroom Peeleem (Elephants)
Elana Raz, Fran Dun, Maryann Runco, Diane Dzurkanin
Pre-K Educators – Classroom Dolfeeneem (Dolphins)
Katie Rahuba, Chen Kirshner
Floating Educators
Josie Hill, Christina Fleming, Sadhika Sampath, Katie Blickley
*Our classroom educators are supported by wonderful substitute educators from local agencies
Art Specialist
Julie Lewinter
Julie has a Child Development Associates degree and has been working at Beth Shalom for over 10 years. Her favorite teaching moment was when she received the job of Studio Educator. Julie loves Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss. Outside of Beth Shalom she rides horses, goes fishing, enjoys outdoor cooking, and the Pittsburgh Penguins! Her favorite thing about Beth Shalom is that she has become like sisters with her other Beth Shalom educators.
Science Specialist
Elaine Catz
Elaine has a BS in Applied Math, Engineering, and Physics, and a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering. After working in the industry, she spent four years teaching at a preschool. In the mid-1990s she mixed her former jobs together, found her true calling in science education, and has taught in a multitude of venues ever since. When she isn’t spending time with her husband and daughter, Elaine can often be found tending her garden and photographing insects.
Music Specialist
Debbey Altman-Diamant
Debbey has a BA in Psychology, a Master’s in Occupational Therapy, and certification as a Music Together teacher. Through college and grad school she taught Hebrew School music. After working for years in a variety of therapeutic settings, including Easter Seals, Head Start and the Center for Movement Therapy, she has spent over 10 years as an Early Intervention Home therapist and several years as a Music Together teacher. Debbey loves singing, moving, dancing and making music with the children and staff at Beth Shalom and sharing the joy it brings to everyone.
ELC Administration
Director
Hilary Yeckel
Hilary is a proud graduate of Slippery Rock University, with a dual Bachelors Degree in Special and Elementary Education. She has worked with a variety of child care centers, after school programs, and spent a year teaching special education in North Carolina. Hilary began her career with Beth Shalom in 2014 as a lead educator in the twos classroom, and then the following year in prekindergarten. After two years as the Assistant Director, she took over the directorship in 2018.
“There is something special about the bonds and relationships you can build here at Beth Shalom. I have had the privilege to watch many families grow through our center. I have seen children become older siblings, and watch as each of them graduates. It is the community that you become a part of that has kept me here all these years. It is something special, and something that I find unique to our ELC.”
Assistant Director
Norah Cauley
Norah was born and raised in the East End of Pittsburgh (Regent Square). She graduated from West Virginia University in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies and public relations. She has since gone back to school for early education achieving her Child Development Associates and Directors Credential. Norah has been working at Beth Shalom since 2014. Norah began in room 103 as an assistant educator with the older infants and quickly became lead for five years. She then moved to room 206 with the younger threes room for three years before becoming Assistant Director in September of 2022.
“I love working in my neighborhood, seeing familiar faces, and caring for many of my friends children”
Beth Shalom Early Learning Center 