Our Faculty and Staff
Ellen is the amazing coordinator and teacher of our Torah Tots! These kiddos meet once each month to learn about Jewish holidays, stories and songs, along with Ellen, other helpers, and their parents. Ellen, herself, is a mother and grandmother, and brings her love of children, Jewish learning, and patience to our classroom.
Ellen Peters
Jonathan Shaw
Jonathan wears many hats within TKA. Not only is he one of our founders, he also served as our first president and is still an active lay leader for our congregations. In school, he partners with Sarah to teach Judaic studies to our Gmmel and Daled classes. His fun and energetic teaching style is refreshing for our students' young minds.
Kimberly has been with us since our very first year and serves this year as co-Diector for the school, along with Adena. She holds a Masters in Teaching degree from Winthrop University and spent years in the public school system. We are very fortunate to have her return to us Kimberly is not only devoted to Jewish education- she is thorough, detailed and organized, and good-natured.
Kimberly Augenbraun
Stacey Constant
Stacey is the perfect addition to our little one's Jewish lives. She brings an energetic and hand's on approach to Jewish learning. It's all about discovery in her class. Songs, stories, and crafts are her forte.
Donovan Jones, Madracha (Hebrew Tutor)
Donovan is a high school senior this year, with plans to join the US Navy and work in the medical field upon his graduation in 2017. He is no novice to the TKA school and studied with us to complete his bar mitzvah training in 2014. Donovan has a great mastery of Hebrew and Shabbat liturgy and is currently studying Kaballah! He serves as a lay leader often for TKA and is available for tutoring for Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
Michelle has been involved with the Religious School since it's inception and has seen it evolve into the great Jewish studies program that we are proud of today - full of eager students, supportive parents, and giving volunteers. Michelle originally served as the school's first director and a teacher to various classes. In her new role this year, she will contribute to the school in a more spiritual function. Michelle will continue to lead Kehilah monthly, assist students in preparing for and leading b'nei mitzvah, provide Judaic studies support, and continue to act as a lay leader for the temple.
Michelle Silva
Sarah Berry
Sarah is a recent Winthrop University graduate. She has a strong background in education, specifically in special needs education. Sarah is the Judaic studies teacher for our Gimmel and Daled classes. She creates a love of learning in our students with her passion for Jewish traditions and her organized and valued aprroach to education.
Shari Baum
Shari teaches our Bet class and greatly enjoys passing on her love of Judaism to her students. Although not a teacher, but a medical doctor by training, she has a natural affinity for learning and sharing with others. She also enjoys art (as making ceramic pottery is her favorite pasttime next to watching football), and loves incorporating crafty projects into the curriculum. Shari believes in L'dor V'dor, from generation to generation and is dedicated to educating and nuturing our next generation of Jewish youth.
Adena has worn many hats within this school and congregation. She served as TKA's second president and teacher for the Religious School's Daled class. Adena has an extensive knowledge of Hebrew, liturgy, and life cycle events. Her role has evolved and she is the Hebrew studies teacher for our Daled and Gimmel classes, preparing our students, not just for b'nei mitzvah, but for reamining long-time Jewish participants. As if that wasn't enough, Adena proudly serves as a co-director for the school , along with Kimberly.
Adena Sherman - Adams
This community is more than blessed to have an amazing group of teachers and staff that give so much of themselves, not only on Sunday mornings, but often throughout the week - preparing lessons and activities - for this flourinshing religious school. Learn more about each of them and their dedication below.
