Meet the Team
Dedicated & Certified
Morah Mussie, M.S. Ed.
Director
Mussie’s love for teaching began at a young age and has only grown over the years. After earning her Master’s Degree in Special Education in New York, she gained over 15 years of experience as a preschool teacher, Educational Director, mentor, and program director.
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Her refined, loving character and tender approach has made her a beloved educator by many. Passionate about Jewish education, Mussie is committed to fostering a love of learning in young minds.
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Above all, she is the proud mother of six wonderful children, bringing both professional expertise and personal experience to her work in early childhood education.
Morah Chaya
Director of Judaic Curriculum
Chaya grew up in Israel with a deep passion for Jewish education, art, and working with children. The youngest in a family of seven and surrounded by many nieces and nephews, she developed a natural love for teaching and nurturing young minds.
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​Chaya spent six years teaching in South Florida before moving to Orlando with her husband and two children. Chaya brings warmth, creativity, and dedication to her classroom, fostering a love of learning through engaging and meaningful experiences.
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​In her free time, she enjoys cooking, designing dresses, creating art, and spending quality time with her family.
Morah Tzirel
Assistant Director | Judaic Instructor
Coming soon...
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Ms. Amanda
Teacher
With a lifelong passion for caring for children, Ms. Amanda's career path was clear from an early age. Transitioning from babysitting to a professional role in childcare felt like a natural progression. With experience as a nanny throughout high school, she's known that working with children was their calling since childhood.
Outside of work, Ms. Amanda enjoys dancing, playing basketball, and spending quality time with her family and their beloved dogs.
Ms. Ashley
Teacher
Ms. Ashley has been teaching for three years, bringing her passion for nurturing young minds to her classroom. She moved from Miami to Palm Coast after high school and earned her associate degree from Daytona State College before moving to Orlando.
In her free time, Ms. Ashley enjoys reading and spending time at the beach.
Teacher
Ms. Elizabeth
Ms. Elizabeth moved from New York to Florida in 2023, bringing her passion for working with children to our team. She holds a Master's degree in Social Work and has extensive experience working with children as a play therapist, teacher, and camp counselor.
Ms. Elizabeth loves spending time with her family, which includes three siblings and ten nieces and nephews. She is an avid skier during the winter months and enjoys the company of her cats.
Ms. Janet
Teacher
Ms. Janet comes to Jewish Beginnings with a rich background in early childhood education, including years as a Kindergarten teacher, VPK lead teacher, preschool teacher and a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education .
Janet believes in the power of purposeful play and loves creating hands-on, engaging classrooms where children learn, grow, and discover through exploration and kindness.
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Originally from Tennessee, Janet is a proud mom and grandma. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and finding new ways to make learning exciting for young minds.
Ms. Karla
Teacher
Originally from Colombia, Ms. Karla moved to Florida in 2016, where she lives with her husband.
Karla has been passionate about working with children from a young age. With years of experience as a nanny, she brings a natural warmth and calm presence to her classroom that helps children feel safe and supported.
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Her nurturing personality and love for early childhood education make her a valued member of our team.
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In her free time, Karla enjoys spending time with her family, playing basketball for fun, and caring for her beloved cat, Urus
Ms. Yamina
Teacher
Ms. Yamina was raised in Orlando, where she discovered her passion for teaching through the Early Childhood Education (ECE) program in high school. She is currently continuing her studies in college, pursuing her education while doing what she loves most - working with children and building meaningful connections with them.
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Outside of the classroom, Yamina enjoys running, reading, and spending time with animals. She shares her home with her dog and a bearded dragon named Clover. She loves being part of a warm environment where children feel supported, understood, and excited to learn.
Ms. Rossana
School Custodian
Ms. Rossana is an essential part of our Jewish Beginnings family, keeping our school clean, organized, and welcoming for our students and staff. With great attention to detail and a warm, friendly presence, she ensures that our learning environment remains safe and comfortable for all.
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Her dedication and hard work behind the scenes help create the best possible experience for our children each day. We are grateful for her care and commitment to our school!
Coming soon...
Teacher
Our team is growing! Stay tuned as we welcome new educators who will help continue the warmth, care, and learning at Jewish Beginnings.
Coming soon...
Teacher
Our team is growing! Stay tuned as we welcome new educators who will help continue the warmth, care, and learning at Jewish Beginnings.
Ms. Elizabeth
Teacher
Ms. Elizabeth is originally from New York City and has been part of the Orlando community since 2009. She began working in early childhood education at just 18 years old and has spent many years teaching and nurturing young children. After taking time to raise her five beautiful children, Elizabeth returned to the classroom with even deeper appreciation for the joy and importance of early childhood education.
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Elizabeth brings warmth, patience, and creativity into her work with children. She loves spending time with her family and enjoys crafts, being outdoors, exploring nature, and visiting the beach. She feels grateful to be part of a learning environment where children are encouraged to grow, explore, and feel loved each day.
Miriam Friedman, LMSW
Educational Consultant
Mrs. Miriam Friedman brings over three decades of experience in the field of early childhood education and social work. Having served as a preschool director for more than 24 years, Miriam developed a deep understanding of the unique needs of young children and their families.
With a Master of Social Work and a specialization in psychotherapy, particularly with children, Miriam excels in recognizing and addressing what is developmentally appropriate for each stage of a child's growth.
In addition to her professional achievements, Miriam is the proud mother of 10 children, which has given her invaluable firsthand experience in nurturing and supporting children's development. Her holistic approach combines her expertise in education with her background in social work, making her an invaluable asset to our team.
Nina Naparstek
Educational Consultant
Mrs. Nina Naparstek is a seasoned educator with 18 years of leadership experience as a preschool director. A respected blogger and sought-after speaker, Nina is known as a "teacher's teacher," sharing her invaluable insights and practical guidance with educators across the field.
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As a consultant, Nina provides invaluable support to the staff at Jewish Beginnings, particularly in the area of Judaics. She excels at mentoring educators in teaching Judaics through hands-on, immersive experiences, with a special focus on the Reggio Emilia style. Her expertise in making Jewish education engaging and meaningful has greatly enriched the learning environment at Jewish Beginnings.
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Nina is also the proud mother of four children, bringing both professional and personal insights that enhance her approach to early childhood education.