Biographies of The Administrative and All-School Staff

Judi Zalles decided to leave Cape Ann to work closer to her home in Arlington and to work in a smaller setting with more daily contact with children, parents and teachers. She has been the Director of Alef-Bet since 2001. Judi was formerly the Education Director of Child Development Programs in Gloucester, MA, where she was responsible for the quality of programs in the region's Head Start and Integrated Pre-School classrooms, family child care homes, and an after school program. She has been in the early childhood field for 30 years, from preschool through college settings, with particular emphasis on teacher training, consulting, parent groups, and administration. She simultaneously trained Montessori teachers and studied Waldorf education. She has been a frequent speaker at professional conferences and written for the North Shore Weeklies' 'Ask the Expert' Parent and Child Column. Judi's consultation work has taken her throughout the Northeast, as well as to Hong Kong and Mainland China. Her focus throughout each of her roles has been on empowering each child, teacher and parent through understanding his or her individualized strengths and learning styles. Many of the teachers Judi has mentored are now leaders in their respective educational settings. She has worked in the areas of learning styles, self-management, communication skills, learning and the brain, and ADD/ADHD. Above all her heart is dedicated to all children having an opportunity to realize themselves as the unique and remarkable beings they are.

Judi has historically been active in community and statewide advocacy for numerous early education concerns. She is on the Executive Committee of the Cambridge Community Partnership for Children, active in the BJE Director's Group, as well as serving on the Minuteman Early Education Advisory Committee, the 0-8 Mental Health SubCommittee in Cambridge, and does Federal quality reviews for Head Start programs in Hasidic communities in New York.

Judi considers her greatest blessing to be her son Asa Aviel. He studied at Naropa, a university for contemplative studies in Boulder, Colorado. She has valued now getting to know him as a young man. Judi enjoys reading, playing drums, circle dancing, singing and chanting, kayaking and relaxing in the beauty of nature. Of particular importance to her is the ability to continue to spend Shabbat with friends on the North Shore or Cape Cod. At Alef-Bet she has appreciated remembering her Hebrew and immersing herself more fully in Judaism. It is a return to her cultural roots as well. In the 1940's her father founded a conservative synagogue in Lower Merion, PA and in 1956 published the first Hagaddah for the American Family so that Judaism would have an opportunity to thrive in the United States. She is thrilled to be at Alef-Bet. Judi is EEC Lead Teacher and Director II Certified. (9/1/2001)
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Sara Beth Levine a Long Island native, has been in the Boston area for the last ten years since she started Brandeis University. Trained as an Emergency Medical Technician, she worked for both the Brandeis Emergency Medical Corps and her home ambulance company. Since graduating with a BA from Brandeis, Sara Beth has been working in computer technical support, both in business and in private consulting. Many of you who are TBS shul members may know Sara Beth as one of the children’s favorite playmates and babysitters. Reflective of her talents in imparting the values and love of Jewish life, and in working with children of all ages, Sara Beth started the Bnai Mitzvah group at the shul along with her husband Ely. Sara Beth and Ely work with many of the shul families, preparing both the parents and the children for the journey in becoming Bnai Mitzvah.

Sara Beth wears many hats here at Alef-Bet. For varying parts of the day, she is in the Alef, Bet or Gimmel room. You may be able to locate her by hearing the giggling (oftentimes her own) or other sounds of enjoyment from the children. And most probably, you will have to look down at the floor among the children to see her. She comes to us with natural skills and instincts for supporting and nurturing our children. Sara Beth spends the rest of her time as the Office Manager, keeping the technology running, the documentation and reporting systems complete, and her multi-tasking helping to widdle away the ‘to do’ list. She is excited to be working at Alef-Bet, instead of only visiting. Sara Beth's hobbies include cross-stitching, home repair and gardening. (9/9/04)
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Allison Fastman is overjoyed to be the newest member of the Alef -Bet team. Allison treasures the opportunity to learn with Alef-Bet's imaginative and skillful staff how best to foster the growth and development of the fastest learners on the planet. Her experience working as a nanny for six years and the neighborhood babysitter for two neighborhoods has prepared her well to work with all age groups.

She graduated from Goucher College with a degree in Philosophy and Studio Arts, and comes to us highly recommended by parents and professors who have worked with her. Allison brings her love for creative arts and learning to the children she works with, hoping to help expand their communicative skills and their love for and understanding of life. Allison enjoys nature, cooking, crafts, singing, gardening, and all sorts of playing. She is currently enrolled at Bunker Hill College to start her education in Early Childhood, and will be matriculating at Lesley College to earn her Masters in Early Childhood. (8/2006)
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