Staff

Our Staff

We have a low child/teacher ratio and a staff comprised of dedicated, loving educators who are carefully selected for their Early Childhood Education backgrounds, teaching experience, and sensitivity to the needs of young children and their families. Strong emphasis is placed on continuing education in professional development, and in order to continually improve the quality of our program, we keep abreast of the latest research in the field of early childhood education. This involves membership in professional organizations and participation in training seminars, workshops and conferences.

COMMUNICATION, PARENT INVOLVEMENT & PARENT-CHILD FUNCTIONS
At Peninsula Temple Sholom Preschool, we have fun family programming throughout the year. Parents are informed weekly of classroom, school, and Temple activities, including classroom curricula. Our Preschool Director sends a bi-monthly e-mail “Preschool Schmooze” newsletter, and Parent-Teacher Conferences are conducted twice a year.

We encourage parent involvement and provide ample opportunities for participation, such as: Meet My Teacher Day and Welcome Brunch, Mentor Program, New Parent Orientation, Back to School Night, Class Coffees, Parent Education Workshops, Fundraising Events, as well as participation in the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and Room Parent Program. Annual Parent-Child functions include: Hanukkah and Passover Celebrations, Shabbat Family Dinners, Dinner with a Date, Concert with Your Biggest Fan, Special Friends Day, and Transitional Kindergarten End-of-Year Celebration, and End-of-year Preschool Picnic.

OUR CLERGY
Our preschool is fortunate to be a part of the Peninsula Temple Sholom community, and with this comes the nurturing guidance and support of Senior Rabbi Daniel Feder, Rabbi Julia Berg and Cantor Yonah Kliger.

The PTS Preschool Team

Allison Steckley
Director of Early Childhood Education

Allison Steckley has been teaching in Jewish education for over 30 years. She firmly believes that play enhances every aspect of children’s development and learning. It is children’s window to the world. She has been with PTS for 27 years, starting off as a teacher for the Parent/Toddler class, transitioning into teaching all age levels in the preschool, becoming Assistant Preschool Director in 2000 and Director in 2011. She has an educational background in psychology with an emphasis in early childhood and special education.

Allison is one of the select few educators from across the country to participate in the Jewish Childhood Education Leadership Institute (JECELI). JECELI engages new and aspiring directors in intensive Jewish learning, inquiry and reflective practice, leadership development, and community culture building. She is also a proud and long term member of the prestigious National Association of the Education of Young children (NAEYC). Allison is committed to teaching values, morals, customs, and traditions with a liberal Jewish approach.