Our Team
Faculty & Staff
Natasha Amit
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
namit@akivanashville.net
Position
Kindergarten Assistant Teacher
Education
- Pursued BFA in Musical Theatre at Syracuse University
- Continued Education at Colby College in Theatre, English and Jewish Studies
Certifications

Carolyn Benick Brown
Staff
(615) 432-2554
cbenickbrown@akivanashville.net
Position
Business Manager

Vardit Binstein
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
vardit@akivanashville.net
Teacher
Elementary Hebrew and Judaic Studies & Technology Lead
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.

Annette Calloway
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
acalloway@akivanashville.net
Teacher
4th Grade ELA & Art
Education
- BA English/Speech Communication, Lipscomb University
- M.Ed. Education, Vanderbilt University
Certifications
ELL
What I Love About Akiva
Akiva is a warm and electric community. Whether painting or writing, I love feeling the joy in the room when students are creating. Akiva provides an environment where children can pursue their unique interests and feel safe to share their perspectives about the world. Having a growth mindset is a core value for both staff and students. I am always learning and growing at Akiva!

Emma Cribb
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
cribb@akivanashville.net
Coach / Athletic Director
Physical Education, Cross Country and Track 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
ycrouvi@akivanashville.net
Hebrew Teacher
Hebrew and Judaic Studies
Education
- BA Education & Special Education, Tel Aviv University
- MA Derby University

Annie Douthit
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
adouthit@akivanashville.net
Teacher
2nd Grade General Studies & Math Lead Teacher
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.

Emma Duncliffe
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
eduncliffe@akivanashville.net
Teacher
Campus Children and Operations Coordinator
Education
- BA Communications, Ohio State University
- M.Ed Higher Education Administration, Vanderbilt University

Susan Eskew
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
seskew@akivanashville.net
Teacher
4th Grade General Studies & STEAM Lead Teacher
Education
- BS Elementary Education 1-8, Middle Tennessee State University
- BS Special Education K-12, Middle Tennessee State University
Certifications
Highly Qualified Status Grades 3-8
What I Love About Akiva
Akiva is an environment that purposefully creates moments of wonder and what if, why not now, and how can we achieve more. We value and provide opportunities for communicating effectively, innovative thinking and to demonstrate confidence in one’s abilities and the abilities of their team. We prepare our students for the community and world they will lead.

Julie Fortune
Staff
(615) 432-2552
jfortune@akivanashville.net
Position
Director of Admission and Outreach
Education
- BLS Religion in Society, University of Memphis
- MALS Philosophy of Religion, University of Memphis
- MA Religious Studies, Florida State University
Certifications
-
Highly Qualified Status in All Middle School Subjects, Special Education K-12
-
Reading Specialist Endorsement
What I Love About Akiva
I love being apart of a community and a school that ensures that every child is loved, supported, and challenged in new ways every day. Unlike any other program I have worked in, Akiva does everything possible to ensure that ‘the whole child’ is being nourished.

Nili Friedman
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
nfriedman@akivanashville.net
Teacher
3rd Grade General Studies
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.

Jennifer Hosey
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
jhosey@akivanashville.net
Teacher
Kindergarten General Studies Teacher
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.

Kelly Love
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
klove@akivanashville.net
Teacher
Middle School General Studies, Writing Lead, & 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.

Rena Malkofsky-Berger
Faculty & Staff
(615) 356-1880
rena@akivanashville.net
Teacher
5th and 6th Grade Math and Science Teacher, Curriculum Specialist
Education
- BS Psychology and Biological Studies, University of California at Davis
- MA Education & Developmental Psychology, University of California at Berkeley
What I Love About Akiva
At Akiva, everyone is supported to become their best self—students and teachers alike.

Rabba Daniella Pressner
Faculty / Staff
(615) 356-1880
dpressner@akivanashville.net
Position
Head of School
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.

Beth Siller
Staff
(615) 356-1880
bsiller@akivanashville.net
Position
School Counselor
Education
- BA Theatre, Southern Connecticut State University
- MA Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Certifications
-
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
-
Play Therapy
-
Drama Therapy
-
Expressive Arts Therapy
-
Mindfulness
-
Responsive Classroom
What I Love About Akiva
I truly love Akiva for a plethora of reasons. Ever since I arrived in Nashville from Los Angeles in January, I have incredibly welcomed, appreciated, supported, and valued. The faculty, parents, and students have been absolutely amazing and loving! In all of my 14 years of working at different schools, I’ve never experienced such a strong sense of family as I do at Akiva. As a Jew myself, I feel like I’m home. I feel so fortunate, honored, and blessed to be able to incorporate Jewish Studies into my Social-Emotional lessons. Akiva has allowed me the freedom to bring the arts into my techniques and practices with students. My professional experience at Akiva is unlike anything I’ve I’ve ever encountered and for that, I am forever grateful. L’chaim!

Jessica Yousem
Faculty
(615) 356-1880
jyousem@akivanashville.net
Teacher
1st Grade General Studies Teacher
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
mzidkyahu@akivanashville.net
Teacher
Middle School Hebrew and Judaic Studies
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.