Teachers | gani

Our Teachers

Our staff is made up of teachers, all of whom are chosen for their professionalism, as well as, their caring and compassionate personalities. Our teachers delight in unlocking your child’s natural curiosity through providing the stimulation necessary for an experiential learning process. We have multilingual staff who are fluent in English, Hebrew, Russian and Spanish.

All staff participates in annual in-service training in order to remain abreast with the latest trends in early childhood education. All our staff has a degree, or are working towards a degree in the field of early childhood education.

Nechama Farkash
Preschool Director

Education has always been my passion. I have a Degree in Psychology, have been involved in Education for 25 years and am privileged to have founded Gani Preschool in Fall of 2011 I’ve always been drawn to children and their wonder and excitement for the world around them. I spent many years teaching elementary, High School, Hebrew School and for the past seven years have directed Gani Preschool.

Together with the wonderful families and children, we have created a school where each child is cherished and loved. I look forward to another wonderful year together as we watch our children grow and flourish.

Sheina Matusof

Lead Teacher of Shorashim Class

Born and raised on Shlichut in England, Sheina has extensive experience educating a diverse population of children. Those include working with special needs children at Menorah school in Leeds UK and at Friendship Circle in Jerusalem. While pursuing her education Sheina served as a mother figure at an Orphanage in Ukraine for three years, most recently she has taught and directed programs at Mazel Day school in NY.

Sheinas hobbies include music and singing, baking, creating, and implementing programs. She shared: I have a passion engaging with children, special needs individuals and kids at risk. I’m creative, energetic, and responsible.

Melisa Gil

Teacher of Shorashim Class

Hi my name is Melisa! I am 35 years old and the mother of Rodrigo, who just graduated from Gani Preschool of the Arts. I like dogs and being in nature. I also love working with children, their spontaneity is so fun! I am excited to be able to work with your children and learn together this year

Morah Sabrina Zelezniak

Lead Teacher of Garinim Class

Sabrina joined Gani Preschool in September of 2019. A native of Argentina, she has lived almost 20 years in Israel and in the United States since 2016. She holds two B.A. degrees in Jewish History and Human Resources, along with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Education.

Over the years, she has worked with children with intellectual disabilities, children from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, bilingual preschoolers and families, secular, modern orthodox and Israeli-based preschool programs, and more.

My teaching is inspired by Loris Malaguzzi, the founder of the Reggio Emilia Approach. I believe in the curriculum as a process, where children should be encouraged to learn through experiences as they observe, touch, listen, move, explore, and more.

Morah Kendra

Teacher at Garinim Class

Morah Kendra was born and raised in Montana and moved to WA in 2017. She joined the Gani educational team in 2018 and has been working in the toddler room since. Kendra holds an Early Childhood Education Certificate from Bellevue College. She brings to our school her deep love, care, creativity and commitment towards our children. Kendra loves to cook, go camping, read and especially hang out with her family.

“I’ve always loved working with kids. I’m so thankful I get to do what I love by being able to watch children learn and grow”.

Beth Vandertuin

Lead Teacher of PrachimClass

I was born in a small town in Montana and moved to WA in 2010.
In MT I operated my own in-home daycare before I went to college.

I am a mom to 3 children 16-, 17- and 18-year-old. I have a degree in respiratory therapy. For the last few years, I have run my own business in home health, caring for the elderly. I am looking forward to being Lead Teacher in the Infant class – Prachim

Beth Vandertuin

Lead Teacher of Prachim Class

I was born in a small town in Montana and moved to WA in 2010.
In MT I operated my own in-home daycare before I went to college.

Malka Bernstein

Assistant Teacher of Shorashim and Garinim Classes

My name is Malka, I'm 21 years old and my biggest love is music and kids. I have a lot of experience with early childhood as well as older kids as a nanny and a teacher. I play guitar and I love to sing. I look forward to a meaningful year of growth with your

children.

Mrs. Ketzi Toney

Child Development Consultant

Mrs. Ketzi Toney served as a teacher at Herzl Ner Tamid for 16 years. She taught at the JCC’s ECE program, and was the founding curriculum coordinator, teacher, and Early Childhood Director for the Jewish Day School. Ketzi currently works as an occupational therapy assistant in Arizona, where she lives with her husband, Jim. She continues to be on call for Chabad of the Central Cascades, and frequently has provided teacher in-services, classroom observations, and consultant services for the Chabad preschool in Phoenix as well as at Gani Preschool of the Arts. Her passion is fostering development, and a love of learning.

Eliana Benayon

Assistant Teacher of Garinim Class

I Eliana joined Gani Preschool in 2022. She’s a native of Argentina, fluent in Spanish and Hebrew. Eliana worked as a camp counselor in several overnight and day camps in South America. She’s a dedicated and caring teacher, and brings the excitement for Judaism to the classroom. Inaddition, Eliana teaches Hebrew at Yachdav Hebrew School in Issaquah every Wednesday.