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
Judaic Director
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.
Ms. Megs
Teacher
With five years of experience teaching kindergarten internationally and a year of teaching in the United States, Ms. Megs brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for early childhood education.
Ms. Megs holds a degree in Applied Developmental Psychology, focusing on learning theory and child development, and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Education to further hone her skills.
She deeply appreciates the Reggio-Emilia inspired approach at Jewish Beginnings, believing self-directed learning and deeper understanding of cultural identity is vital to whole learning. Committed to fostering a nurturing and stimulating environment, Ms. Megs aims to support each child's unique development and instill a lifelong love of learning.
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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. Talia
Teacher
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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. Autumn
Teacher
Ms. Autumn brings a nurturing spirit and a deep love for early childhood education to our team. Originally from Montana, where she grew up as one of eight siblings, Autumn developed a strong sense of family, responsibility, and care from a young age. Her natural connection with children led her to work in a daycare setting back home, where she discovered her passion for supporting young learners.
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In 2021, Autumn moved to Florida and now lives locally with her husband, their daughter, and their playful dog, Harlem. She is known for her calm, patient presence in the classroom and her ability to make each child feel seen, heard, and loved. Her goal is to create a peaceful, joyful environment where children can grow, explore, and thrive.
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.
Ms. Fanny
School Custodian
Ms. Fanny 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!