Adat Shalom Preschool employs dedicated teachers and staff who have the credentials and the passion to create a fun and engaging learning environment for your child.
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Our head teachers boast degrees from accredited colleges or universities and have thousands of hours of experience in working with young children.
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All of our staff members are caring, patient and enthusiastic individuals who have your child’s best interest at heart.
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Our teachers and staff are CPR and First Aid Certified every two years.
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All of our teachers have criminal and child abuse clearances on file.
- Each year, our teachers and staff participate in professional development training. In recent years, our teachers have attended workshops, including: learning about the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy and workshops sponsored by the Fox Chapel School District.
Additionally, we invite River Pediatric Therapies each year to observe students, consult with our teachers, and provide training.
Meet Our Director
Casey Schapira
Casey started out as a Pre-School parent in 2009. A valued substitute teacher in 2013, Casey joined the staff full time in 2014 as a teacher in our First Experience Program. She took over as Director for the 2019-2020 school year.
Casey is a graduate of Penn State with a focus on Child and Family Development, and she earned a Graduate Degree in Education from the University of Pittsburgh.
Casey has been working with children of all ages since she was a teenager. She is married and the mother of three – all Adat Shalom graduates
Meet Our Classroom Teachers
Cheryl Stephens
Cheryl began teaching as a substitute and joined us full time in 2015. She has worked with children for over 20 years. At Adat Shalom she has worked with the Pre-K, Lunch bunch 3s and STEM camp. Her creative nature can always be seen in her classes. You may often find her singing along with the children. She is married and the mother of two boys.
Carey Rzeszotarski
Carey started working at the Preschool in 2001. She has over 20 years of experience working with children. She has taught every level at the preschool, as well as administering the camp program. Carey has a love of animals and shares this with her students. Carey’s class is home to a bunny, two toads, and an axolotl. Carey is married and the mother of two children who are Adat graduates.
Nicole Troup
Nicole has worked with children and adolescents in a variety of therapeutic and educational settings. A member of the Adat Shalom teaching team since the 2019-20 school year, Nicole brings creativity and ingenuity to her classroom. She endeavors to ignite in her students a lifelong love of learning through exploration and play. Nicole believes that there is no better moment than that of seeing a child’s eyes light up with delight when they make connections and learn new skills!
Jamie Miller
Adat Shalom was excited to welcome Jamie to the staff this year. Jamie is very familiar with the preschool community – her son has been here since 2018. Jamie has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. She has worked in both daycare and the healthcare settings for many years. In addition to creating fun activities and art with the children, Jamie enjoys crafting in her spare time.
Meet Our Specials Teachers
Celeste Janosko- Super Science Teacher
Celeste has been a teacher for the past 30 years in venues ranging from the Fox Chapel School District to the Phipps Conservatory to Shady Side Junior School, where she currently teaches. Her work with children is extensive, and she has worked at our preschool since 2004. Celeste brings hands-on science to our Pre-K students.