SCDS Montessori Teachers and School Staff

                           

Naomi Nudell
Preschool/Kindergarten Teacher

Naomi enjoys working with children and strongly believes in the Montessori method of teaching. She attended a Montessori teacher-training course, and has taught in Jewish Montessori preschools for twelve years.

​Frieda Schlesinger
Preschool/Kindergarten Teacher

Frieda loves working with young children and has been doing so since her teenage years. She has three years of teaching experience in a Montessori school, working her way up from assistant to lead teacher. She enjoys building connections with the children and watching them thrive in the classroom environment. Frieda is currently in her second year of Montessori training for her certification.

Julie Cohen
​Preschool/Kindergarten Co-Teacher

Julie is passionate about helping children grow, and creating a healthy environment for them to do so. She has a certificate in Montessori Fundamentals, and two years teaching experience. Julie is currently in her second year of Montessori training for her certification.

Hadasah Esquivel
Preschool/Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Hadasah takes to heart the honor that is the involvement in children's growth and development. She loves fueling the excitement in a child's accomplishments. She has accumulated medical training and certifications. Hadasah is excited to be joining the Shaarei Chinuch Montessori team and is looking forward to growing with it.

Ruth Wait
​Music Teacher

Ruth Wait is a classically trained musician with 17 years' experience teaching music privately and in the classroom, from preschool to high school. Ruth is passionate about making music exciting and hands-on by allowing her students to explore and express themselves using various instruments and methods. From violin to trumpet, didgeridoo to glockenspiel, guitar and many more, Ruth loves to bring instruments into the classroom so students can see why instruments sound different & unique. Ruth is also a parent at Shaarei Chinuch and has been a member of the Chicago Jewish community for 9 years.

Alayna Angus
Business Operations Coordinator

Alayna has been working in education for over fifteen years, and has held jobs as both a teacher and administrative assistant in this field. With a Bachelor's in English and her experience in the office and classroom, she has become an integral and indispensable part of our team.

Shaina Rubin
​Administrative Assistant 

Shaina manages the day-to-day office and administrative operations at Shaarei Chinuch Day School. She enjoys working behind the scenes to ensure a positive and productive learning environment for our students and staff. Shaina received her BA in English from Northeastern Illinois University.