Our People
Faculty & Staff

Jennifer Agerstam
I am an educator because I enjoy being around kids and their curious, adventurous minds.

Steve Albert

Sandi Anslow

Sean Bartlett
I am a school leader because all children deserve a learning environment that is safe, supportive, and student-centered. I will always strive to celebrate student success and guide student growth.

Leslie Berman
Emma Berry

Richard Boyd

Marcie Brewer
I teach because teaching is a gift. Middle schoolers are amazing. They are old enough to understand the true complexities of life, but young enough that they’re not yet jaded. They make me smile everyday, and I get to share all of my passions—literature, poetry, drama, history, social activism—with them.

Abby Brody
Tarina Bryan
Bess Butterworth

Carla Caynon
I teach because I enjoy helping students learn new things and nurturing their growth.

Elana Cohn-Rozansky
I teach because I love learning and love to think of creative and meaningful ways to spark wonder and curiosity in young people. My hope is that my students will seek out and embrace opportunities to learn, grow, and expand their understanding of the world and their responsibility to it.

Sharee Conner
I teach because “We never know which lives we influence, or when, or why.”
― Stephen King, 11/22/63

Garrett Couch

Brian Darnell
I work at PJA because supporting this amazing community is the best job I've ever had. PJA's values are truly held by those who work here and I always feel supported, and encouraged and inspired to exemplify these values.

Kate Dickinson-Villaseñor

Mindi Earvins
I teach because I enjoy watching children grow and learn. Each milestone brings me so much joy! A child’s laugh is medicine for the heart!

Shahar Eden

Irit Elchaiani
I teach because I love helping children realize that learning can be hard and that's okay! And nothing is better than having one of my students realize they’re stronger and more resilient than they ever thought possible.

Victoria Epstein
I am an educator at PJA’s Kidscorner because I am passionate about the arts and I want to teach people to create. I want to have purpose, pass on knowledge, and engage with tiny humans.

Becky Ewer
I market for PJA so people can learn about how our school makes mensches!

Stephanie Faddis

Cailin Fiddler
I teach in Afterschool because every family and child deserve an accessible community to feel supported and safe to grow in fun, new ways!

Benjamin Foote
I teach because I can't not teach.
Sarah Freilich

Jennifer Garrell
I teach because I enjoy working with children. Teaching is creative and interesting work and it fills my heart. In particular, I love finding ways to connect with each child.

Beth Germain

Sarah Glass
As Admission Director, I love sharing the powerful story of PJA with families.

Cody Hall
I teach because helping children learn and grow is such a special power that helps everyone and generations to come.

Merrill Hendin
Laurel Hennig

Sara Hernandez
Amanda Hiland
Linda Hill
Rae Hill

Anna Hixon

Jana Hopfinger
I teach because I can't think of anything that better combines my love of Judaism, children, creativity and community. My work is varied, exciting and challenging and after 25 years of teaching, I'm learning new things from my students on a daily basis.
Megan Hughes

Thao Hupp
Crystal Huynh

Daravanh Insixiengmay
l teach because it brings me joy and I am able to help shape the lives of my student.

Lisa Katon

Maya Katri
I teach because I love to share the joy of education with children and to see their eyes light up with new learning!

Amy Katz

Nicole King
I teach because witnessing developmental milestones, making everlasting memories, positively impacting the lives of others, laughing, playing and expressing my creativity are only a few perks of the most important job!

Ellen Kipnis
I teach because it is who I am. It is my passion, my calling and my world.

Hailey Knapp
I am an educator at Kidzone because it is my favorite job I have had so far. I like to hang out with the elementary kids.
Livy Knight

Kim Krikorian
I teach because I know how important early childhood education is. Young children are not to be molded but people to be unfolded. I enjoy experiencing the wonder and awe of learning with small children. There are so many new things to learn from a group of citizens that are preparing for a future world.

Carly Landau
I teach because facilitating a supportive and creative community is my passion! I strive to create an environment where my students can discover new passions with a sense of curiosity and confidence.

Larisa Lerner
"It's a great privilege to take my students on a journey of the Hebrew language - in which they not only learn the language of the Torah but also explore the depths of the Jewish heritage and a culture of the modern state of Israel."

Rosanne Levi
I work for PJA because it is not just a school, it's a community. Families and staff work together as one.

Denise Littlefield

Celinda Llanez
I teach because early childhood education is an important building block in a child's learning journey and I'm honored to be part of their adventure.
Madison McCornish

Lynne Meyerowitz
I teach because I believe in the power of education. My own teachers have and continue to influence my life and I similarly aspire to positively impact the lives of my students.
Holly Miller
Colleen Morrissey

Sara Morton

Fabiola Munoz

Bess Nation
I teach because I truly believe that every child is a capable learner. I'm driven and delighted by the way a student's face lights up when their hard work pays off with an "Ah Ha" moment.

Han Ngo
I work for PJA because it is a family and community. PJA students collaborate and learn tech skills for the future.
Naomi Nussbaum

Gita Pastala
I teach because working with middle schoolers energizes and inspires me everyday. Mathematics is the tool, because I find great joy in it, but teaching is my destiny. My goal is to help every student discover the great joy in Mathematics, not only the ones for whom it comes easy, but especially for the one who believes it’s not for them.

Alyssa Pazoff
Galia Peleg
Leah Perkins
I teach because I believe that every person deserves a chance to grow and develop into the best version of themselves that they can be. Being a Special Education Paraprofessional and an After School Activity Teacher gives me the opportunity to spread that love.

Susanna Perrin

Liz Phillips
I teach because of all the joy it brings to me each and every day. From the smallest of moments to the biggest of victories, I love and cherish my time with my students!

Jack Pickell
I am an educator because I want to be a catalyst for positive change in the education system.
Sydney Price
Ben Pro-Richards
Lexie Quandt
I work for PJA because I believe in the power of community and the people at PJA are such lovely examples of what a community should be!

Claudia Ramirez
I teach because I take pride in the social, emotional, and educational growth. It gives me joy when I see students apply their own techniques and mental shortcuts to problem solving.

Chris Roberts
I work at PJA because I believe that community can play a large part in people's lives. For me, community was what brought me back when I found myself spiraling out of control - when you have others you can lean on for support, it can mean the difference between recovering from hardships or letting those hardships define and control you.
Veana Rockette

Matt Rosenberg
I teach to help students gain the ability to be critical thinkers, who can solve real-world problems both inside and outside the classroom.

Anjelica Rudolf
I am an educator because I want to be a source of safety, support, and compassion for children and families.

Erika Saiers

Eden Samiee

Karen Sapoznikow
I fundraise for PJA because I believe that everyone should be able to take advantage of all this school has to offer, regardless of their financial situation. Mensches come from all walks of life. Our ability to offer scholarships enriches our student body and makes our community stronger.

Elliott Saunders
I teach because skills students learn outside the classroom is crucial for the growth of that individual and I love being a part of that team.

Lucy Schwimmer
I teach to provide a strong social, emotional, and academic foundation for every child.

Alisa Scudamore
I teach because my students show me how to remain creative and open while making art. Their ideas and energy renew my optimism for our world.

Shawna Shadden
I teach because I truly enjoy teaching!

Adrianne Sharrock
I teach because I believe that educational beginnings based on curiosity and kindness create not only an engaged learner, but an open and confident person who can also help and teach others.
Gabrielle Sigmund

Molly Sloan
I teach because I am a ready collaborator who loves all things library. Connecting kids, teachers and parents to the right resource at the right time is what makes me tick!

Remy Steckel
I teach because I believe it’s important to be a visibly out and proud LGBTQ+ role model I wish I had as a kid. I want to create a space where kids can feel seen and understood for who they truly are.
Mary Steinberg
I work on the PJA Auction because it helps support students and it gives me the opportunity to connect with our Jewish community.

Noah Steward
I teach because I want our students to feel hopeful and confident in themselves. Seeing kids try new things, find competency in an area difficult for them, or tackle a frustrating personal situation gives me pride and satisfaction as a teacher.
Ben Stolberg

Sue Stone
I teach because I love children and hope to guide and assist them to reach their potential.

Miriam Stroud
I work for PJA because it gives the opportunity to serve my community, create meaningful and lasting relationships and collaborate to improve the well-being of those around me.

Nicole Surbaugh
I teach to inspire the next generation of thinkers, makers, leaders and scientists to ensure that we leave this world a better place.

Debbie Sweeney
Ronella Tanase
Sarah Truran Wills
Philippa Wauchek

Joshua Willis
I am an educator at PJA because I know about a lot of cool stuff that I like to tell people about, and kids need to learn cool stuff. Kids don’t do traditional small talk and neither do I.

Suzanne Winchester
I am an educator because teaching has always felt natural to me and I love to learn.

Harriet Wingard

Fenyx Wolfe
I teach because I've found no greater joy in life than to interact with and help inspire children. Learning should be joyous and I find deep fulfillment in the opportunity to teach students to find their own joy in the learning process! My goal is to create lifelong learners.

Emma Wotring
I teach because I firmly believe that education can repair the world and it brings me immeasurable joy to witness my students grow into kind, responsible and resilient individuals who contribute to a bright future for us all.

Laura Young

Adam Zappa
I teach because there exists no better, more noble, or more rewarding way to spend my time. I teach because learning is lifelong, and children and adolescents have a great deal to teach us. Spending time around such energy and creativity makes me a better and happier person.

Tatiana Zawadzki
I teach because... Little people are my passion!! I truly feel inspired learning from them - every day is a new beginning, a new journey that unfolds a new path creating new memories and welcoming new adventures. If only we slow down, observe and listen we are able to support already creative minds. I’m honored to be an Early Childhood teacher and to witness as each little person welcomes their “Firsts”.
Administration
Steve Albert, Executive Director
B.S. Haverford College. Ed. M. Harvard University. M.S. Portland State University. Steve is passionate about music and theater, and he enjoys singing as well as attending concerts and plays. He also enjoys hiking, kayaking, and skiing, and he likes to travel – especially to visit his grown children who are scattered around the country. He spends more time than he should caring for his saltwater reef tank at his home, which he shares with his wife, Janie, and dog, Lola. Steve’s favorite thing about PJA is the strong sense of community and the genuine care expressed by individuals for one another. This mirrors the collaboration that exists at all levels – from students to teachers to parents to school leadership – and creates a foundation that fosters learning and service on campus and off.
Sean Bartlett, Director of PJA Afterschool Programs
Sean holds a B.A. in American Studies and a teaching credential in social studies. He worked as a middle school history and language arts teacher at the School of the Epiphany in San Francisco from 2010-2016. Sean gained administrative experience as the Assistant Director of the Serra Summer Camp (San Francisco) from 2007-2016. Since moving to Portland in 2016, Sean has worked in Afterschool programs, first as the SUN Extended-Day Program Coordinator at Impact NW, and more recently at Champions in Tualatin. He is responsible for PJA's Afterschool Programs, both on-campus and at our other PPS sites, including opening a new Afterschool Program at the Odyssey Program for the 2023-24 school year.
Abigail Brody, Director of Middle School General Studies
Abby holds a BFA from Syracuse University and M.S. Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania. She spent a semester studying at Hebrew University in Jerusalem during her undergraduate years. Abby worked at William Penn Middle School in Yardley, PA as a Social Studies teacher for 16 years, and served, for 13 of those years, as Social Studies Department Chair. In that capacity, Abby supported 16 general education teachers, as well as special education teachers and support staff. She was actively involved in the curriculum renewal process and provided a range of professional development workshops on a variety of topics ranging from assessment to the teaching of reading to the Abolition Movement to Japanese culture. Prior to her work at William Penn M.S., Abby worked as a teacher at Har Zion Temple High School of Jewish Studies in Penn Valley, PA. Abby has presented at a number of conferences and seminars and is the recipient of several awards and grants. Abby is currently a PJA parent, with a child in our Early Childhood program, and has been serving as a substitute teacher at PJA.
Kate Dickinson-Villaseñor, Director of Lower School General Studies
Kate holds a B.A. in Diversified Liberal Arts and an Ed.M. in Special Education from the University of San Diego, and she is completing her Ed.D in Organizational Change Leadership from the University of Southern California. She holds a wide range of licenses and certifications, including licenses in Elementary Teaching and Special Education from the State of Oregon. Kate currently works as a Teacher on Special Assignment for the Multnomah Education Service District where she provides instructional coaching, professional development and special education guidance, and she also provides consulting through the company, Educating Changemakers, which she founded in 2017. Previously, Kate lived in San Diego, where she served as the Director of Changemaker Initiatives for the San Diego Cooperative Charter Schools. Other professional experience includes work as a 1st/2nd grade teacher in a multi-age classroom and service as an inclusion specialist. Kate has also worked as a Professor of Practice & Community Fellow at the University of San Diego and as an Adjunct Professor at Brandman University. She is a frequent presenter on a wide range of educational topics ranging from social emotional learning and empathy to anti-bias literature and culturally responsive practices. Kate has received a number of honors and awards as a student and professional.
Becky Ewer, Marketing and Creative Director
Becky is the Marketing and Creative Director for the Mittleman Jewish Community Center and Portland Jewish Academy. She started working here in 2005 and loves the family feeling of the MJCC and PJA. Becky grew up in Seattle. She graduated with a B.S. in Business from Skidmore College and a Masters of Science in Arts Administration from Boston University. Becky is passionate about music as she has played the violin since the age of seven and is married to a professional violinist! She and her husband Greg Ewer founded the local nonprofit, 45th Parallel. Becky enjoys playing with her two children, cooking, knitting, and travelling. As a breast cancer survivor, Becky serves as a mentor to other women who are newly diagnosed.
Beth Germain, Chief Financial Officer
B.S. Finance - University of Illinois, MM (MBA) Accounting from Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management
Beth is responsible for all aspects of financial management and budgeting. Beth has held CFO positions in real estate development companies in both Chicago and Portland from 1989-2002. Beth joined the PJA Finance Committee in 1999, became Treasurer of PJA in 2000 and was hired as Controller in 2002. Beth is married to John and they have two sons, Payton and Louie, who are both PJA graduates. "PJA has been my strongest connection to the Jewish Community and I am grateful to have it be such as large part of my life." Beth enjoys living in the Pacific Northwest and being outdoors skiing, walking and boating as well as being indoors doing yoga and puzzles.
Sarah Glass, Director of Admission, Retention, and Engagement
Sarah grew up in Portland. At the age of 18, she moved to New York City where she earned her BA from Barnard College of Columbia University. After college, she taught in a public school in Brooklyn for three years before returning to graduate school to earn a Masters in Urban Planning from NYU. All three of Sarah's children attended PJA. "I love sharing the story of PJA with families. This is a school that truly lives by its core values. Our students learn to think critically, work together to build community, and know that they can make a positive impact in our world."
Merrill Hendin, Principal
Merrill grew up in Brooklyn, New York where she attended Jewish day school through high school. She graduated with a BA in English from the State University of New York at Binghamton and worked at a Jewish day school in Brooklyn before moving to Vancouver, BC, where she completed the graduate education program and received her teaching certification through the University of British Columbia. Merrill and her husband lived in Haifa, Israel, where she taught English to adults, seniors and children in a variety of settings. When her young family returned to the United States, they made Portland their home and their PJA lives began. Merrill taught Hebrew and Jewish Studies at PJA before taking time off to raise her growing family. Her involvement at PJA has taken many forms over the years as she became involved as a lay leader, has served as a member of the PJA administration as the Director of Hebrew and Jewish Studies, Assistant Head of School, and currently as the school's Principal. Jewish education has always been an integral part of Merrill's life both personally and professionally. PJA was home to all three of their children and remains an integral part of the Hendin family's lives.
Amy Katz, Director of Jewish Life
Amy Katz has been working in Jewish Education for over 20 years. She taught in Jewish Day Schools, synagogue schools, and Jewish summer camps in Wisconsin, Canada, Los Angeles, Boston, and San Francisco before moving to Portland in 2004. Amy taught Hebrew and Jewish Studies for seven years at PJA before becoming the Director of Jewish Life. Amy's favorite thing about PJA is forging strong connections with students and faculty and encouraging everyone to learn a little more about the beauty of Judaism. Her favorite part of each week is Middle School tefilah. She lives in Northeast Portland with her husband, two teenagers, and her dog Sox. Amy graduated from Beloit College with degrees in Creative Writing and Literary Studies, and has a Master's in Jewish Education from Boston's Hebrew College.
Kim Krikorian, Assistant Director of Early Childhood Education
Kim grew up in Utah with strong family roots in Montana. She received her bachelor's degree in Sociology with a focus in Education from Ashford University. She also has associate degrees in Early Childhood Education and Human Services from Dawson College. She has completed her Aim4Excellence National Director Credential through National Louis University. Kim participated in a learning cohort of administrators and teachers through the Sheva Center Early Childhood Leadership Institute through the JCC Association of North America. With this cohort was able to visit learning environments in Israel and Italy.She loves good food, music, theatre, and traveling. Kim and her family live in the neighborhood and love being part of our greater community. Her husband has an Italian restaurant on the waterfront. Her two sons attended the after school program and went to MJCC camps. She loves how PJA offers a place where the spirit of a child is celebrated.
Erika Saiers, Director of Early Childhood Education
Erika grew up in central Pennsylvania. She attended Green Mountain College in Poultney Vermont and earned a BS in Elementary Education and Teaching with a concentration in Recreation and played collegiate soccer. During her senior year at Green Mountain she attended the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) where she spent 3 months in the PNW mountaineering, sailing and rock climbing and decided that Oregon was where she was destined to be. She packed up a small pickup truck, spent a month traveling the country and has been rooted in Portland ever since, now calling the PNW home. In Portland Erika earned her MEd in Educational Leadership and Administration from PSU and continues her love of exercise. She has coached the PJA middle school cross country team, and loves hiking and biking. Both of Erika's children attended PJA as "lifers"- they started as infants and graduated 8th grade. Erika believes this community is truly a wonderful environment to grow up in.
Board Members
Jason Zidell is a fourth generation Portlander who enjoyed MJCC's early learning program for preschool and kindergarten, day camp, B.B.Y.O...
John is the current Vice President of both the MJCC and PJA Boards. John is an active member of the MJCC and the Board’s Facilities Committee.
Richard Barker is a Wealth Management Advisor and Senior Portfolio Advisor with Merrill Lynch...
Naomi Harwin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with clients, families and groups, and who focuses on working with older adults.
Nadine Gartner is the founding Executive Director of Boost Oregon, a nonprofit organization that empowers people to make science-based health decisions.
Eric is an active MJCC member and is passionate about Jewish heritage and cultural values. He is an attorney and partner at Haglund Kelley LLP, where he...
Marni was born in Brooklyn, raised in Philadelphia and came to Portland in 1982 with her husband, Hank Kaplan...
Martha is a public interest attorney with Native American Program, a statewide, specialty office under the Legal Aid Services of Oregon umbrella.
Michelle is an active member of the MJCC, where her two daughters attend Day Camp and swim lessons. Her children also attend PJA
Steven is an attorney with Davis Wright Tremaine LLP’s Media and Intellectual Property group...
Danelle Romain is an attorney in private practice specializing in government relations at The Romain Group (TRG).
Nathaniel “Nate” Smith was born in 1990, in Rochester, NY and moved to Ludington, MI in 1996. Nate’s upbringing was secular and culturally Jewish with a Unitarian Universalist influence.
David is a family physician and has been on staff with Providence Medical Center since 2009. Originally from New Jersey, he spent several years in Boston as a double Jumbo to earn his B.S. in Engineering followed by his M.D. degree at Tufts University.
Sandra Valle is an environmental scientist that has supported and directed numerous pollution prevention, energy efficiency, and sustainability projects over the past 20 years.
Tamar currently serves as co-head of Kehillah, PJA’s Parent’s Association. She has been actively involved in the PJA Giving Circle, is a member of the MJCC,