Our Team
Faculty & Staffnicole 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
- 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.