Our Preschool is a place where children learn and grow with support from nurturing professional educators. Our teachers are committed to honoring the uniqueness of each child and celebrating their potential.
"I have taught at the preschool for 18 years. It is a wonderful place where people are dedicated and passionate about children." -Ellen Berman
Susie Valdez and Lisa Webber
 Preschool Director Susie Valdez
Hi, I’m Susie and I am the director of the JCC Preschool. I grew up in Boulder and attended college at CSU in Ft. Collins where I received my degree in Human Development and Family studies with an emphasis in education. My husband and I live in Lafayette with our three children, two dogs and one cat. I am so excited to be starting my eighth year at the JCC, and my twenty-second year as an early childhood educator. I feel so fortunate to be part of such an outstanding program and surrounded by the wonderful teachers that work here.
 Lisa Webber
I am excited to be teaching the PAL class! I have 8 years of classroom teaching experience, working with all ages. I am also a freelance educational writer and the librarian at Ha’Sifria at the JCC. I am a proud JCC parent! My son, Zeke, is in the butterfly room and my daughter, Iris, will be joining me for PAL. My husband, Matt, unfortunately has to go to work instead of having fun with us at the JCC!
Getting to work with both parents and the littlest children in the building is something I am really excited about. My first introduction to the JCC preschool was when I did the PAL class with my son. It was a great way to meet new people, get Zeke ready for preschool, and get involved with the JCC. I hope to bring that same wonderful opportunity and experience to the new PAL families.
Caterpillar Teachers
Sara Rachlin
Hello Everyone! I am Sara Rachlin, or “Rachy” as they call me here. I am excited for my second year as a teacher with the Boulder JCC. I received my Masters of Arts in Teaching from Clark University and spent a year in the Marshall Islands teaching English to children aged four to nineteen. Music has always been an inspiration in my life, and I will integrate this in many ways in the classroom. I love learning, and hope to inspire the same sense of wonder at the JCC.
Julie Zalk
Greetings to all....
I am starting my first full year at the wonderful Boulder JCC. Before moving to Boulder many years ago, I lived in Fairbanks, Alaska where I was a founder of the Head Start Program as well as a teacher, school bus driver and cook. I sing in Resonance, a women's chorus, 125 voices strong. I have a son, Cody, who is in graduate school studying to be an architect in New York City. I am looking forward to this new year of growth and development with our Caterpillars.
Ariana Grey
After spending part of the summer in Madagascar working and traveling with my daughter, I’m excited to be starting my second year of teaching at the JCC. Originally from the Northwest, I have lived in Colorado for many years. My daughter, Olivia, is currently going to school in Portland, OR. My son, Eli, is a 7th grader at Horizons K8 school. I looking forward to having the opportunity to build new relationships with our incoming families.
Butterfly Teachers
 Christy Lee
Welcome Butterflies! I was born in Virginia and moved to Boulder 14 years ago. I am married and have a daughter, Evelyn who just started 2nd grade. This is my 3rd year at the JCC. I taught preschool in Baltimore, Maryland and 2nd and 3rd grade at the Bixby School here in Boulder for 7 years. I am so excited to be here.
 Amy Spasof
Welcome everyone! This is my 3rd year teaching at the BJCC, although we have been living in the UK for the past 9 months. I am excited to be back!!! I have taught every walk of life and age, including preschool at a JCC in Chicago. I have a Bachelor’s in Psychology; a Master’s in Elementary Education and I am ASL certified. My husband and I moved to Longmont 6 ½ years ago from the Midwest. Our daughter, Sam, graduated from the BJCC 3 years ago and our son Jacob is in Pre-K this year. I am looking forward to an amazing year with your children!
 Leanne Lepetsos
Hi! I started teaching at the BJCC in March as a floater and am thrilled to be with the Butterflies this year. I have a degree in journalism from CU Boulder and have been volunteering in the BVSD for the past 7 years. I am originally from Denver and currently live in Lafayette with my husband and our two children Katy, 10 and Alex, 7. In addition to teaching the Butterflies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I will be working in the preschool office Tuesday and Thursday and am looking forward to getting to know all of the BJCC families!
 Ellen Berman
Hi everyone! I am originally from Brooklyn, NY. I’ve been with the Boulder JCC since its inception (27 years). I have a son, David, who lives 1 mile away with his wife Suanne and their two Maltese dogs, Nigel and Trixie. I have a BA in ECE. I will be teaching Cooking and Yoga enrichment and “floating” in the Butterfly classrooms. I enjoy all of Colorado’s outdoor sports.
 Jeanne Ray
Hi everyone! I have been teaching preschool for the past 23 years. I am from Tucson, AZ, where I started the first preschool program for the YMCA. I studied early childhood education form NAU and the U of A. My son, Keane and his wife, Kelly live in downtown Denver. My daughter Kacia just moved back to Boulder with her boyfriend and my youngest daughter Kyla started college this summer. My husband and I will celebrate 28 years of marriage this year and have fun together. I am always amazed at this deeply connected, rich environment of parents, children and staff. I feel blessed to be a part of it.
 Osi Ziv
Hi, I’m Osi. I have been in Boulder for the past 7 years. I moved here from Israel with my husband and three children: my youngest son was born in Boulder. I am a proud mom of four. My children are in 7th grade at Southern Hills, 5th grade at Eisenhower, 2nd and kindergarten at High peaks. This is my 4th year teaching here at the JCC. I am very excited to start the school year and get to know all of you. My Bachelor’s degrees are in Criminology and Education, Behavioral Science, and Social Work. In my free time I love reading, playing piano, ice skating, camping, and watching Disney movies with my kids.
 Joan Muffly
Welcome! I’m originally from Nebraska and have lived in Colorado for 28 years. I graduated in 1982 from Mira Costa College in California with an Associated Arts Degree. My husband and I have been married 26 years and have 3 boys. I enjoy the outdoors and spend most of my free time hiking and biking. This will be my 4th year teaching at the JCC after subbing for the JCC for 6 years. I’m excited to meet everyone.
Pre-K Teachers
 Caroline Saliman
This is my 10th year at the BJCC. I am thrilled to be part of the PreK community this year, and excited to be here everyday! I am a proud alum of the JCC myself (Denver) and so are my 6th grade children (here of course)! I am fortunate to have the opportunity to keep the J in the JCC. I’m thrilled to be learning, playing, singing, painting … with all my PreK pals this year.
 Ben Brumbaugh
Greetings, I am pumped to be back! Last spring, I was able to teach for the last two months of the school year and we had a blast. This year I will be the ‘jack of all trades’ by helping in the office and teaching with the PreK. I enjoy traveling to far off places and being outdoors when not working here in Boulder. This should be a great year for the program, and I am excited to be here!
 Julie Pruzansky
Hi! I am looking forward to another great year teaching in the PreK classroom. As a LSW, I combine my teaching here with counseling children and adults. Born and raised in NYC, I am enjoying the hiking, blue skies, and sunshine in Boulder.
 Leah Boonin
I love singing, Jewish stuff, and kids. Getting to combine all three here is a great delight. I have been playing guitar and singing Jewish and secular songs with kids for 19 years now. I have taught at camps, schools, and preschools in Minnesota (where I’m from), Boston (where I went to college), Israel and New Zealand. My husband David and I have two children. Eli, a high-school junior, and Sadie is in 2nd grade. When I am not teaching I like to knit, read, and enjoy the gloriousness of Boulder.
 Tricia Bebber
I am honored to join the classroom as a Pre-K teacher this year after subbing last winter/spring. Prior to starting our family, I was fortunate to teach Kindergarten and 6th grade in California. To be able to share and grow with your little ones this year excites me and motivates me to help make it the best school year. Not only do I love to be with the kids but I love the JCC Preschool. So much that my kids attend too!
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