Our Wonderful Staff!

SEYLA COHEN- Preschool Director  Born in Izmir, Turkey, Seyla came to the USA in 1985. She began working as a teacher in the Temple Shalom Preschool in 1991, when her son was in the 2-year-old program, and became the Preschool Director in 2007. Seyla has a degree in Business Administration. She also holds a Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC) and Advanced Director’s Credential. She is passionate about Early Childhood Education and believes that self-confidence in children is the most important instrument to raise successful children.   

SEYLA COHEN- Preschool Director 

Born in Izmir, Turkey, Seyla came to the USA in 1985. She began working as a teacher in the Temple Shalom Preschool in 1991, when her son was in the 2-year-old program, and became the Preschool Director in 2007. She is a professional who is very well versed in her work, is engaged in dissertation editing and has considerable experience for good coverage of any topic.

Seyla has a degree in Business Administration. She also holds a Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC) and Advanced Director’s Credential. She is passionate about Early Childhood Education and believes that self-confidence in children is the most important instrument to raise successful children. 

 

GLORIA MELLMAN – Administrative Assistant Gloria began her career at TSP in 2007 as assistant teacher in the Cubs and Lions classes. In 2010 she became Administrative Assistant. She is the mother of four children and is also a Jazzercise instructor.

GLORIA MELLMAN – Administrative Assistant
Gloria began her career at TSP in 2007 as assistant teacher in the Cubs and Lions classes. In 2010 she became Administrative Assistant. She is the mother of four children and is also a Jazzercise instructor.

PRE-K

YVETTE MACAY- PreK Teacher Yvette graduated from FAU in 2007 with a bachelors in Elementary Education with ESOL endorsement and a K-12 Exceptional Student Education Certificate. She has 5 years of teaching experience in Broward and Collier Counties. She has two children whom are attending TSP.

YVETTE MACAY- PreK Teacher
Yvette graduated from FAU in 2007 with a bachelors in Elementary Education with ESOL endorsement and a K-12 Exceptional Student Education Certificate. She has 5 years of teaching experience in Broward and Collier Counties. She has two children whom are attending TSP.

HOPE VIANI – Teacher's Assistant Hope has worked at TSP since 2006. She has her CDA certificate and is currently working in the Pre-K class. Hope is the mother of five children.

HOPE VIANI – Teacher's Assistant
Hope has worked at TSP since 2006. She has her CDA certificate and is currently working in the Pre-K class. Hope is the mother of five children.

BETH LAMB – PreK Teacher Beth began teaching at TSP in 2004. She earned her Child Development Associate degree and is the mother of two children.

BETH LAMB – PreK Teacher
Beth began teaching at TSP in 2004. She earned her Child Development Associate degree and is the mother of two children.

LORI BROWN- Teacher's Assistant Lori has been educating Pre-K students since 2006. Prior to that she taught the two's. Previously she tought at Temple Beth Torah in Wellington, Florida. She has a Child Development Associate degree.

LORI BROWN- Teacher's Assistant
Lori has been educating Pre-K students since 2006. Prior to that she taught the two's. Previously she tought at Temple Beth Torah in Wellington, Florida. She has a Child Development Associate degree.

CATHERINE DIMIERI - PreK Teacher Catherine is a graduate of Hunter College in New York City.  She has a double major in both Italian and Elementary Education along with a minor in Art.  Her teaching experience consists of more than fifteen years with preschoolers and kindergarteners, as well as nine years with special needs individuals. 

CATHERINE DIMIERI - PreK Teacher
Catherine is a graduate of Hunter College in New York City.  She has a double major in both Italian and Elementary Education along with a minor in Art.  Her teaching experience consists of more than fifteen years with preschoolers and kindergarteners, as well as nine years with special needs individuals. 

NATALIE MONPLAISIR – Teacher’s Assistant Originally from St Lucia, Natalie has been a member of our TSP family as a parent for a few years now. We are so happy to have her as part of our TSP staff. She loves working with children and teaching them new things.

NATALIE MONPLAISIR – Teacher’s Assistant
Originally from St Lucia, Natalie has been a member of our TSP family as a parent for a few years now. We are so happy to have her as part of our TSP staff. She loves working with children and teaching them new things.

LIONS

LESLIE METSCH – Lions Teacher Leslie began working at TSP in 2004 as a Lions teacher. She holds a degree in Early Education, Education, and Reading Specialist from SUNY @ Buffalo State University. She has also earned a Florida Teaching certificate. Leslie has lived in Naples since 2000 and has three daughters, two of whom have graduated from TSP.

LESLIE METSCH – Lions Teacher
Leslie began working at TSP in 2004 as a Lions teacher. She holds a degree in Early Education, Education, and Reading Specialist from SUNY @ Buffalo State University. She has also earned a Florida Teaching certificate. Leslie has lived in Naples since 2000 and has three daughters, two of whom have graduated from TSP.

TARA ADRAGNA – Teacher's Assistant Tara has been an assistant teacher at TSP since 2007 teaching in the Lions class. She is the mother of two children.

TARA ADRAGNA – Teacher's Assistant
Tara has been an assistant teacher at TSP since 2007 teaching in the Lions class. She is the mother of two children.

CHRISTY BROWN – Lions Teacher Christy graduated from UCF in 2007 with a BA in Psychology. She began teaching at TSP in 2013 in the Cubs program.

CHRISTY BROWN – Lions Teacher
Christy graduated from UCF in 2007 with a BA in Psychology. She began teaching at TSP in 2013 in the Cubs program.

SAMANTHA BARRENECHE - Teacher's Assistant
Samantha graduated from Barron Collier High School a year early with the class of 2016 in hopes of pursuing a career in writing and entertainment. With a history of child care and a love for children, she couldn't wait to become a part of the TSP family!

"> SAMANTHA BARRENECHE - Teacher's Assistant Samantha graduated from Barron Collier High School a year early with the class of 2016 in hopes of pursuing a career in writing and entertainment. With a history of child care and a love for children, she couldn't wait to become a part of the TSP family!

SAMANTHA BARRENECHE - Teacher's Assistant
Samantha graduated from Barron Collier High School a year early with the class of 2016 in hopes of pursuing a career in writing and entertainment. With a history of child care and a love for children, she couldn't wait to become a part of the TSP family!

MARY FLORES - Lions Teacher Mary graduated in 2016 from Florida Gulf Coast University with bachelor’s degrees in Child & Youth Studies and Psychology. She has worked as an administrative assistant for the past 20 years, but has wanted to teach since she was in kindergarten. Her husband and she are both originally from Connecticut and moved to Naples in 2004. She has worked with children of all ages for many years as a substitute teacher, a mentor and a Sabbath school teacher. She has a passion for children’s development and loves to use creative ways to make learning fun and to inspire.

MARY FLORES - Lions Teacher

Mary graduated in 2016 from Florida Gulf Coast University with bachelor’s degrees in Child & Youth Studies and Psychology. She has worked as an administrative assistant for the past 20 years, but has wanted to teach since she was in kindergarten. Her husband and she are both originally from Connecticut and moved to Naples in 2004. She has worked with children of all ages for many years as a substitute teacher, a mentor and a Sabbath school teacher. She has a passion for children’s development and loves to use creative ways to make learning fun and to inspire.

APRIL SWISHER - Teacher's Assistant April joined our Lions group in 2016, but she is not a stranger to our TSP family. Her nephew started as a Cub two years ago and is now in the PreK class.  April and her husband of 33 years have been in Naples since 2005 after he retired from the military. They have one son. 

APRIL SWISHER - Teacher's Assistant
April joined our Lions group in 2016, but she is not a stranger to our TSP family. Her nephew started as a Cub two years ago and is now in the PreK class.  April and her husband of 33 years have been in Naples since 2005 after he retired from the military. They have one son. 

ALLISON SHALOM - Lions Teacher Allison moved to Naples in 2016 from Reisterstown, Maryland with her 4 year old son Blake and her husband. They have been vacationing in sunny Naples for many years and have always talked about moving here someday. They are excited to start this new adventure here together and meet many nice families.  Her educational background is in Early Childhood Special Education with a BS in Speech Language Pathology. She has worked with children for 15+ years (infants to middle schoolers) in a variety of settings.

ALLISON SHALOM - Lions Teacher
Allison moved to Naples in 2016 from Reisterstown, Maryland with her 4 year old son Blake and her husband. They have been vacationing in sunny Naples for many years and have always talked about moving here someday. They are excited to start this new adventure here together and meet many nice families. 

Her educational background is in Early Childhood Special Education with a BS in Speech Language Pathology. She has worked with children for 15+ years (infants to middle schoolers) in a variety of settings.

MONICA HUNTER - Lions Co-teacher Monica joined our TSP staff in 2016. She has been a stay-at-home mom for a few years. She loved being home with her children and taking them to fun outings and creating wonderful arts and crafts at home. Her son started his first year at TSP last year, and she absolutely fell in love with the school, the teachers and staff.  Her daughter is now beginning her first year, and Monica is so happy to be able to work where her children are. She loves towork with children - to see them grow and evolve into the adorable little people that they are! 

MONICA HUNTER - Lions Co-teacher
Monica joined our TSP staff in 2016. She has been a stay-at-home mom for a few years. She loved being home with her children and taking them to fun outings and creating wonderful arts and crafts at home. Her son started his first year at TSP last year, and she absolutely fell in love with the school, the teachers and staff.  Her daughter is now beginning her first year, and Monica is so happy to be able to work where her children are. She loves towork with children - to see them grow and evolve into the adorable little people that they are! 

CUBS

WALLIE LENCHNER – Cubs Teacher Wallie's relationship with TSP began in 1993 when her son began his early childhood education here. She is the Cubs team leader and mother of two.

WALLIE LENCHNER – Cubs Teacher

Wallie's relationship with TSP began in 1993 when her son began his early childhood education here. She is the Cubs team leader and mother of two.

SIMONE MARKS – Teacher's Assistant Simone has been with TSP since 2002 when her son began his early childhood education.  She graduated from Rutgers College of Pharmacy with a B.S. degree.  She is the mother of two, both of whom attended preschool at TSP.

SIMONE MARKS – Teacher's Assistant
Simone has been with TSP since 2002 when her son began his early childhood education.  She graduated from Rutgers College of Pharmacy with a B.S. degree.  She is the mother of two, both of whom attended preschool at TSP.

th graders at a private school. From there she moved back to Rhode Island where she spent several years volunteering in schools when her children were growing up. She and her husband developed a children’s book distributing company that supplied books to schools, libraries and the Reading is Fundamental(RIF) program.

"> ANN MILLER – Teacher's Assistant Ann began working at TSP in 2006 when she became certified to work with preschool children. Anne earned a B. A. degree in English from Tufts University and moved to Washington, DC where she taught English to 7th graders at a private school. From there she moved back to Rhode Island where she spent several years volunteering in schools when her children were growing up. She and her husband developed a children’s book distributing company that supplied books to schools, libraries and the Reading is Fundamental(RIF) program.

ANN MILLER – Teacher's Assistant
Ann began working at TSP in 2006 when she became certified to work with preschool children. Anne earned a B. A. degree in English from Tufts University and moved to Washington, DC where she taught English to 7th graders at a private school. From there she moved back to Rhode Island where she spent several years volunteering in schools when her children were growing up. She and her husband developed a children’s book distributing company that supplied books to schools, libraries and the Reading is Fundamental(RIF) program.

COKI YITZHAK – Cubs Teacher Coki was born in Israel and grew up in Haifa. She served three years in the IDF and received a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Oranim College where she majored in Drama and Psychology. In 1998 she moved to Naples where she lives with her husband and three sons. Coki works in the Cubs program.

COKI YITZHAK – Cubs Teacher
Coki was born in Israel and grew up in Haifa. She served three years in the IDF and received a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Oranim College where she majored in Drama and Psychology. In 1998 she moved to Naples where she lives with her husband and three sons. Coki works in the Cubs program.

LINDA GROVEMAN - Teacher's Assistant Linda recently moved to Naples from Atlanta. She was a preschool teacher in Atlanta for the last 15 years. She was a special needs teacher before teaching preschool children. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Maryland.

LINDA GROVEMAN - Teacher's Assistant
Linda recently moved to Naples from Atlanta. She was a preschool teacher in Atlanta for the last 15 years. She was a special needs teacher before teaching preschool children. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Maryland.

LYNN RYZENMAN- Cubs Teacher Lynn has been a teacher at TSP for 15 years since her oldest son was a student. Prior to teaching she worked as an LPN in Tallahassee and Naples. She enjoys the high energy pace of our youngest children.

LYNN RYZENMAN- Cubs Teacher
Lynn has been a teacher at TSP for 15 years since her oldest son was a student. Prior to teaching she worked as an LPN in Tallahassee and Naples. She enjoys the high energy pace of our youngest children.

MISSY LAMB - Teacher's Assistant Missy is an assistant teacher for our youngest Cubs. She is currently studying at Florida Gulf Coast University for a degree in Psychology, with plans to specialize in child psychology and behavioral studies. Missy is excited for the opportunity to pursue her passion of working with children and begin this journey with the students at Temple Shalom Preschool.

MISSY LAMB - Teacher's Assistant
Missy is an assistant teacher for our youngest Cubs. She is currently studying at Florida Gulf Coast University for a degree in Psychology, with plans to specialize in child psychology and behavioral studies. Missy is excited for the opportunity to pursue her passion of working with children and begin this journey with the students at Temple Shalom Preschool.

DARIEN MORRISSEAU - Teacher's Assistant Darien is attending Florida Gulf Coast University studying Business Management as well as finishing her Early Childhood Credentials. She lived in Naples her whole life! She says she loves working at TSP!

DARIEN MORRISSEAU - Teacher's Assistant
Darien is attending Florida Gulf Coast University studying Business Management as well as finishing her Early Childhood Credentials. She lived in Naples her whole life! She says she loves working at TSP!

                                                               

Enrichment

JANE GALLER – Music, Lil'Cubs, and Mommy, Me and More classes Jane attended Northern Illinois University and has been teaching at TSP since 1999. She is also a cantorial soloist with Naples Jewish Congregation and the mother of six children.

JANE GALLER – Music, Lil'Cubs, and Mommy, Me and More classes
Jane attended Northern Illinois University and has been teaching at TSP since 1999. She is also a cantorial soloist with Naples Jewish Congregation and the mother of six children.

SHARON NORGART – Science Lab Specialist Sharon began her career at TSP in 1990 where she worked in both the Lions and Pre-K programs. In 2011, when the Science Lab was launched, she became the science teacher. Sharon received a BS in Special Education and, before working at TSP, she taught in Lee and Collier County public schools. Two of her three children are graduates of TSP.

SHARON NORGART – Science Lab Specialist
Sharon began her career at TSP in 1990 where she worked in both the Lions and Pre-K programs. In 2011, when the Science Lab was launched, she became the science teacher. Sharon received a BS in Special Education and, before working at TSP, she taught in Lee and Collier County public schools. Two of her three children are graduates of TSP.

LINDA GINSBERG- Art Teacher/ STEM All three of her children have attended TSP, and they were very well prepared for Elementary School. Before she moved to Naples, she was the Executive Director of WIZO, a non-profit organization that raises money for social programs in Israel. Even though her background is in non-profit organization and fundraising, her love is art. At TSP she can share this love with the students and watch their imaginations grow.

LINDA GINSBERG- Art Teacher/ STEM

All three of her children have attended TSP, and they were very well prepared for Elementary School. Before she moved to Naples, she was the Executive Director of WIZO, a non-profit organization that raises money for social programs in Israel. Even though her background is in non-profit organization and fundraising, her love is art. At TSP she can share this love with the students and watch their imaginations grow.

MEGAN BARRENECHE - Storyland Teacher Megan graduated from FGCU in 2007 with a BA in Communication. After working for years in various positions at Fox News and The Walt Disney World, she has settled back down in Naples and is excited to be part of the TSP family!

MEGAN BARRENECHE - Storyland Teacher

Megan graduated from FGCU in 2007 with a BA in Communication. After working for years in various positions at Fox News and The Walt Disney World, she has settled back down in Naples and is excited to be part of the TSP family!

JINMI HUSEMAN - Fitness & Movement Teacher This marks JinMi's 3rd year as the movement teacher. Her oldest son is a TSP graduate and her youngest is in Pre K this year. She says she is honored and excited to be a part of our children’s preschool experience.

JINMI HUSEMAN - Fitness & Movement Teacher
This marks JinMi's 3rd year as the movement teacher. Her oldest son is a TSP graduate and her youngest is in Pre K this year. She says she is honored and excited to be a part of our children’s preschool experience.