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Our Team

Faculty & Staff

nicole andelman

Faculty

(615) 356-1880

Second Grade General Studies Faculty

Education

  • BA Education, Syracuse University

 

What I Love About Akiva

Ms. Andelman is excited to share her passion for teaching and learning with the Akiva community and bringing her experience in school musicals and yearbooks to the students here

Vardit Binstein

Faculty

(615) 356-1880

Elementary Hebrew and Judaic Studies Faculty, Technology Lead Teacher

Education

  • B. Sc. Industrial and Management Engineering, Ben Gurion University
  • Master’s of Business Administration, Ben Gurion University

What I Love About Akiva
Akiva is like a family for me, I enjoy seeing the children grow and make huge progress in language.

Marissa Brady

Administrative Staff

(615) 356-1880

Front Office Adminstrator

Education

  • BA Business Administration, Clark Atlanta University
  • Masters Business Administration, Clark Atlanta University
  • M.Ed. Montessori Education, Loyola University Maryland

What I Love About Akiva
I love that at Akiva the whole child is the focus of education. I love that the faculty and staff work together to help each other in this endeavor of education. I love the joy and smiles of the children who make up the school.

Sarah Bronchetti

Faculty

(615) 356-1880

Music Faculty and Substitute Teacher

Education

  • BA Music, Vanderbilt University
  • Master of Education in Voice Performance and Choral/General Music Education, Vanderbilt University

What I Love About Akiva
Sarah is excited to join the Akiva community because she believes strongly in the mission to educate the whole child.

Lilly Carver

Faculty

(615) 356-1880

First Grade General Studies Faculty

Education

  • BA English Literature and Spanish, Pomona College
  • Masters Elementary Education, Vanderbilt University

What I Love About Akiva
Everyone at Akiva speaks so positively about their experiences! It is so encouraging from a newcomer’s perspective to see that Akiva’s faculty truly loves the school.

Emma Cribb

Faculty

(917) 744-6422

Athletic Director and Coach

Education

  • BS Biology, Columbia University
  • Master’s of Business Administration, Fairleigh Dickinson University

 

Certifications

  • Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (N.S.C.A.)
  • Personal Trainer (A.C.E.)
  • USA Cycling Coach

What I Love About Akiva
Teaching kids to embrace an active lifestyle. Giving all kids a chance to be athletic. I love playing & sports!

Yifat Crouvi

Faculty

(615) 356-1880

Elementary Hebrew and Judaic Studies Faculty

Education

  • BA Education & Special Education, Tel Aviv University
  • MA Derby University

 

DVORA DAVIDSON

Staff

(615) 356-1880

Lunch Coordinator

 

 

    What I Love About Akiva
    I love the kids and faculty at Akiva! The kids keep me going on a daily basis with their positivity and zest for Jewish life, and the teachers and faculty truly embody what it’s like to work as a team.

    Annie Douthit

    Faculty

    (615) 356-1880

    Middle School Math and Science Faculty, Math Lead Teachers, and Theater Director

    Education

    • BA Economics, Bates College
    • M.Ed Elementary Education, Vanderbilt University

     

    Certifications

    • Reading Specialist Endorsement

    What I Love About Akiva
    I love when a child’s face lights up when he/she figures out a new strategy, solves a challenging problem, or improves on a project.

    Elly Ebin

    Administrative Staff

    (615) 356-1880

    Director of Development

    Education

    • BA History, York University, Toronto

    What I Love About Akiva

    I love being part of a school that  values innovative thinking, both in the students and in the faculty and staff. 

    karlin edwards

    Faculty

    (615) 356-1880

    School Counselor

    Education

    • BS Social Work, Tennessee  State University
    • MA Social Work, Middle Tennessee State University

    What I Love About Akiva

    Ms. Edwards is excited about Akiva’s commitment to focusing on the value of each individual child.

     

    PAULA GONZALEZ

    Administrative Staff

    (615) 356-1880

    Executive Assistant and Operations

    What I Love About Akiva

     

     

    Ellen Haber

    Faculty

    (615) 356-1880

    Kindergarten General Studies Faculty

    Education

    • BA History, Washington University, St. Louis
    • MA Elementary Education, Belmont University, Nashville

    What I Love About Akiva

    I love Akiva because of the close knit community and opportunity to collaborate with great colleagues. I love cultivating the community garden and enjoying the beautiful campus with the children

     

    Jennifer Hosey

    Faculty

    (615) 356-1880

    Kindergarten General Studies Faculty

    Education

    • BS Elementary Education K-6, Middle Tennessee State University

    What I Love About Akiva
    I feel blessed to be at Akiva because of the teamwork amongst the faculty members and the ability to tailor our curriculum to meet each child’s needs.

    Hadas Hovav

    Faculty

    (615) 356-1880

    Elementary Hebrew and Jewish Studies Faculty

    Education

    • BS Physiotherapy, Tzefat College

    What I Love About Akiva

    Moshe Hovav

    Faculty

    (615) 356-1880

    Elementary Hebrew and Jewish Studies Faculty

    Education

    • BA Clinical Psychology
    • MA Clinical Psychology

    What I Love About Akiva

    DANA KOZLOSKY-IDA

    Faculty

    (615) 356-1880

    Elementary Hebrew and Jewish Studies Faculty

    Education

    • BA Education

    What I Love About Akiva

    Nili Liat

    Faculty

    (615) 356-1880

    Third Grade General Studies Faculty

    Education

    • BA English,  Brandeis University with Minors in Elementary Education, Jewish Studies, and Humanities Interdisciplinary Program
    • M.Ed. Elementary Education, Vanderbilt University

    Certifications

    • Highly Qualified Status Grades K-6

    What I Love About Akiva
    Akiva provides students with a nurturing environment in which they feel comfortable being themselves while taking on new challenges. Students explore what it means to be a Jew, an American, and a global citizen while learning how to express themselves as individuals. I feel so blessed to be a part of this amazing community.

    Kelly Love

    Faculty

    (615) 356-1880

    Middle School Humanities Faculty, Writing Lead Teacher, and Teacher Mentor

    Education

    • BA, Reading, Dual Minors: Education & Women’s Studies, University of Texas at El Paso
    • MA Curriculum and Instruction, University of Phoenix

    Certifications

    • Reading Specialization 6-12

    What I Love About Akiva

    Akiva is a place that encourages students and teachers to follow their passions. The small class sizes make it easy for teachers to give students the help and attention they deserve.

    Connor Murphy

    Faculty

    (615) 356-1880

    Third Grade General Studies Faculty

    Education

    • BA, Middle Tennessee State University
    • Masters in Education, Middle Tennessee State University

    What I Love About Akiva
    Connor is thrilled to join the Akiva community and find inspiration from his students and fellow colleagues. What excites him the most is guiding his students on their learning journey and building relationships with the community at large.

    Rabba Daniella Pressner

    Faculty / Administrative Staff

    (615) 356-1880

    Head of School and Middle School Judaic Studies Faculty

    Education

    • BA Religion and Dance, Barnard College, Columbia University
    • MA Jewish Studies, Vanderbilt University

     

    Certifications

    • Continued Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education
    • Current Member of Yeshivat Maharat Kollel Track

    What I Love About Akiva
    Akiva is this unusual community that puts every child at the center. It is a place where children are nurtured and loved and a place where they are challenged to be curious, to wonder, to take risks and to have moral courage. I am inspired every day by the children, the parents and the faculty. It is a community and a family and a space for every child’s spark to be ignited.

    Batya Rosenfeld

    Faculty

    (615) 356-1880

    Elementary Hebrew and Judaic Studies Faculty

    Education

    • B.Ed, David Yellin Academic College of Education, Israel

     

    What I Love About Akiva

    I love Akiva for its inclusiveness and diversity and I am grateful to be part of a community that strives for spiritual growth as well as academic growth. It brings me so much joy to hear Akiva students speaking Hebrew!

    Nechemya Rosenfeld

    Faculty

    (615) 356-1880

    Middle School Hebrew and Judaic Studies Faculty

    Education

    • BA Education, Levinsky College, Israel

     

     

     

      What I Love About Akiva

      JENNIFER RUNDBERG

      Faculty

      (615) 356-1880

      Art Faculty

      • BFA Advertising Design, Austin Peay State University
      • MA Clinical Mental Health and Counseling and Art Therapy, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

       What I Love About Akiva

      I appreciate that the staff is truly supporting and educating the child. That means holistically strengthening the child to feel valuable, valid, and loved.

      ROBERT SANDERS

      Faculty

      (615) 356-1880

      Student Support Specialist

      • BA Political Science, Lipscomb University
      • MA Education, Lipscomb University

       What I Love About Akiva

      I love that each day teaching is different with new and exciting challenges and opportunities for each child to learn and grow. For me, it’s a gift to see each day through their eyes with a sense of wonder, possibility, joy and hope. 

      VICTORIA SCHNAUFER

      Faculty

      (615) 356-1880

      Second Grade General Studies Faculty

      Education

      • BA Education, University of South Sewanee
      • MA Education, Relay Graduate School of Education

       What I Love About Akiva

      I am excited to be part a community that emphasizes the development of the whole child.

      Amber Woodruff

      Staff

      (615) 356-1880

      Building and Grounds Maintenance

       

      Jessica Yousem

      Faculty

      (615) 356-1880

      First Grade General Studies Faculty

      Education

      • BA Sociology, Wheaton College
      • MA Education, Pepperdine University 

       

      Certifications
      California State Teaching Credential 

      What I Love About Akiva
      I am so excited to join the Avika School Team! I am looking forward to an incredible year ahead and cannot wait to learn and grow with my class.

      Michal Zidkyahu

      Faculty

      (615) 356-1880

      Middle School Hebrew and Judaic Studies Faculty

      Education

      • BA Psychology, Criminology, Sociology, Bar Ilan University, Israel
      • MA Expressive Arts Therapy, Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts

      Certifications

      • Certified Psychodramatist
      • Creative Arts Therapist

      What I Love About Akiva

      Akiva is a microcosmos of the Jewish community of Nashville. It is small, diverse, warm and inclusive. I appreciate that it lets me take part in and support the process of building an academically, and emotionally strong future Jewish community.

      Contact Us


      P: 615-356-1880
      F: 615-356-1850

      info@akivanashville.net

      809 Percy Warner Blvd.
      Nashville, TN 37205

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