Our Cubs Teachers
Growing independence through play and discovery
Carolina Tucciarelli
Co-Lead Teacher
Ms. Carolina is excited to be part of the Temple Shalom Preschool family! With 15 years of experience in early childhood education, including eight years as a lead teacher, she brings a wealth of knowledge, patience, and dedication to the classroom. She is passionate about helping children grow academically, socially, and emotionally while creating a positive and nurturing learning environment.
Ms. Carolina earned her Florida Child Care Professional Credential from Miami Dade College. She is certified in CPR and First Aid and has completed the required 45 DCF training hours for early childhood educators.
Throughout her career, Ms. Carolina has been committed to meeting the unique needs of every child. She is currently working toward obtaining her Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) credential, with the goal of further expanding her skills and creating an inclusive classroom environment where all children can succeed, including those who may need additional behavioral support.
Ms. Carolina believes every child deserves to feel valued, understood, and capable. She strives to build strong relationships with her students and families while fostering a classroom atmosphere that is safe, engaging, and filled with opportunities for learning and growth. She looks forward to helping each child reach their full potential and making this school year a wonderful experience for all. 💙🌟
Erin-Alexis Passaretti
Co-Lead Teacher
Ms. Erin-Alexis is excited to be part of the Temple Shalom Preschool family! With nearly a decade of experience in early childhood education, including several years as a lead teacher, she brings a unique combination of educational expertise and extensive healthcare experience to the classroom. Throughout her career in childcare, she has worked with children of all age groups and enjoys supporting each stage of their development.
Before entering the field of early childhood education, Ms. Erin-Alexis spent 13 years working as a Certified Nursing Assistant in emergency rooms, trauma centers, and pediatric emergency departments. Her healthcare background has given her exceptional skills in safety, care, and supporting children and families with compassion and confidence.
Ms. Erin-Alexis holds certifications as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Home Health Aide and completed phlebotomy training through the American Red Cross. She has also completed the required 45 DCF training hours and is certified in CPR and First Aid.
Families appreciate Ms. Erin-Alexis's calm, caring demeanor and her ability to create a safe, supportive environment where children can learn and thrive. Her diverse professional background, combined with her passion for early childhood education, allows her to nurture each child's growth while helping them build confidence, independence, and a love of learning.
Ms. Erin-Alexis looks forward to partnering with families and making this school year a fun, meaningful, and successful experience for every child. 💙🌟
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Michela Marchese
Lead Teacher
Ms. Michela is excited to be part of the Temple Shalom Preschool family! She brings three years of professional early childhood experience, along with the invaluable experience of raising two wonderful children of her own. She has her required 45 DCF training hours for early childhood educators. Families may also remember Ms. Michela from her time leading our cooking program, where she shared her love of food and created some truly delicious experiences for the children.
Originally from Italy, Ms. Michela moved to the United States 12 years ago and has developed a deep appreciation for the importance of education, kindness, and strong communication between families and teachers.
When she's not in the classroom, Ms. Michela enjoys cooking, painting, music, reading, and all kinds of arts and crafts. Her creativity shines through in everything she does and helps make learning fun and engaging for her students.
Ms. Michela's goal is to create a positive, safe, and joyful classroom where every child feels welcomed, supported, and encouraged to be themselves. She believes that every student is a precious gem who shines in their own unique way, and she loves celebrating each child's individual strengths, talents, and abilities. She looks forward to a wonderful year filled with learning, laughter, and growth. ✨💎💙
Celia Reyes
Assistant Teacher
Ms. Celia is excited to be part of the Temple Shalom Preschool family! She brings seven years of experience in early childhood education and has enjoyed working with children across multiple age groups, including one-year-olds, two-year-olds, and VPK students.
Ms. Celia earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Universidad del Este. She has her required 45 DCF training hours for early childhood educators. She has also completed 40 hours of Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) training, which has strengthened her ability to support children with diverse learning and developmental needs.
When she is not in the classroom, Ms. Celia enjoys bowling, watching movies, working on crossword puzzles, and dancing. She loves staying active and finding fun ways to challenge her mind and creativity.
Ms. Celia is passionate about helping children learn, grow, and build confidence in a nurturing environment. She strives to create a classroom where every child feels safe, supported, and encouraged to explore the world around them. She looks forward to partnering with families and making this school year a positive and memorable experience for her students. 💙🌟
Melissa Mendez
Lead Teacher
Ms. Melissa is proud to be part of the Temple Shalom Preschool family! With five years of experience in early childhood education, she has worked with both two-year-old and preschool-aged children, helping them learn, grow, and develop confidence in a nurturing environment.
Ms. Melissa has completed the required 45 DCF training hours and is certified in CPR and First Aid. She also holds certifications in ultrasound technology and phlebotomy, bringing a unique background of healthcare knowledge and attention to detail to her work with children.
Temple Shalom Preschool truly feels like a second home to Ms. Melissa. Her connection to the school is so strong that her daughter has also been part of the TSP family, working alongside her as an aftercare teacher. This special family connection reflects the sense of community and belonging that she values so deeply.
Ms. Melissa is dedicated to creating a warm, welcoming classroom where children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn. She enjoys building strong relationships with her students and their families and looks forward to helping each child have a fun, successful, and memorable school year. 💙🌟
Sarah Alameda
Assistant Teacher
Ms. Sarah is excited to be part of the Temple Shalom Preschool family! With five years of experience in early childhood education, she has worked with children ranging from one to four years old and enjoys helping young learners grow, explore, and reach important developmental milestones.
Originally from the Philippines, Ms. Sarah completed college-level coursework in Elementary Education and Computer Science. She also holds a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification, has completed the required 45 DCF training hours, and is certified in CPR and First Aid.
Ms. Sarah's diverse educational and professional background allows her to bring patience, organization, and a caring approach to the classroom. She is passionate about creating a safe, nurturing environment where children feel comfortable learning, making friends, and developing new skills every day.
Ms. Sarah looks forward to partnering with families and helping each child build confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning. She is excited to be part of each student's journey and to create a year filled with growth, discovery, and fun. 💙🌟
