Meet the Team
Dedicated & Certified
Morah Mussie, M.S. Ed.
Director | Judaic Teacher
Mussie's love for teaching began at a young age. After earning her Masters Degree in Special Education in New York, Mussie gained more than 10 years of experience as a successful preschool teacher, Educational Director, mentor and program director. Her refined, loving character and tender approach has made her a beloved educator by many.
Ms. Lisa
Teacher
Lisa moved to Central Florida in 1981 and raised her children here. She has taught early childhood education for twelve years, and loves being in the classroom. She is passionate about Jewish education and seeks to pass that passion on to her students.
In her spare time, Lisa enjoys cooking, reading, doing crossword puzzles, and spending time with her daughters Leah and Lexi.
Ms. Kay
Teacher
Having grown up in California with her younger brother, Kay has been working with children for over 15 years, and her passion for fostering educational development continues to grows. In the classroom, Ms. Kay strives to create a positive, inclusive, and engaging environment where every student feels valued and motivated to achieve their best.
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Outside of the classroom, Kay enjoys being active outdoors, traveling and attending live music events.
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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. 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.
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.