Our VPK Teachers
Getting ready for kindergarten and beyond
Jennifer Avila
Lead Teacher
Ms. Jennifer is a cherished member of the Temple Shalom Preschool family and brings over 16 years of experience in early childhood education, with more than half of those years spent as a lead teacher. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to helping children develop a love of learning while creating meaningful connections with every student she teaches.
Families may know Ms. Jennifer from her time as both a VPK teacher and Spanish teacher at Temple Shalom Preschool. Her experience in multiple educational roles has allowed her to support children in a variety of ways while fostering curiosity, confidence, and growth.
Ms. Jennifer holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, a Director Credential in Early Childhood Education, and has completed the required 45 DCF training hours. She is also certified in CPR and First Aid.
One of Ms. Jennifer’s greatest strengths is her ability to connect with children on an individual level. She is a positive light throughout the school and genuinely enjoys learning about each child’s unique interests, passions, and personality. Whether it's a favorite animal, character, hobby, or topic, Ms. Jennifer finds creative ways to incorporate those interests into classroom activities and learning experiences, helping children feel seen, valued, and excited to participate.
Ms. Jennifer is passionate about creating a warm, engaging environment where every child can thrive. She looks forward to helping her students build confidence, discover new interests, and create wonderful memories throughout the school year. 💙🌟
Missi Thome
Lead Teacher
Ms. Missi is excited to be part of the Temple Shalom Preschool family! With over 30 years of experience in early childhood education, including many years as a lead teacher, she brings a tremendous amount of knowledge, dedication, and passion to the classroom. Throughout her career, she has helped countless children build confidence, develop important skills, and discover a love of learning.
Ms. Missi is currently working toward her degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She also holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, has completed the required 45 DCF training hours, and is certified in CPR and First Aid.
Families quickly discover that Ms. Missi brings both experience and personality to everything she does. She is a devoted fan of superheroes and absolutely loves cats, interests that often help spark fun conversations and connections with her students.
Ms. Missi believes that learning should be engaging, supportive, and filled with opportunities for children to explore their unique strengths. Her years of experience, combined with her caring nature and enthusiasm, help create a classroom where children feel safe, valued, and excited to learn each day.
She looks forward to partnering with families and making this school year one filled with growth, discovery, laughter, and plenty of superhero-sized adventures! 💙🦸♀️🐱🌟
Janice Drummond
Assistant Teacher
Ms. Janice is excited to be part of the Temple Shalom Preschool family! With nearly 15 years of experience in early childhood education, she has dedicated her career to helping young children learn, grow, and build confidence during some of their most important developmental years. Her experience working with preschool-aged children has given her a deep understanding of how to create meaningful learning experiences that support the whole child.
Ms. Janice holds an Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education from St. Joseph Children's Centre, a Bachelor of Arts in English from SMU, and a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Hodges University. She has also completed the required 45 DCF training hours and is certified in CPR and First Aid.
Families and colleagues appreciate Ms. Janice for her genuinely caring nature and the positive energy she brings to everything she does. Her background in education and counseling helps her create a supportive, nurturing environment where children feel understood, encouraged, and valued.
Ms. Janice is passionate about helping children develop socially, emotionally, and academically while fostering a love of learning that will last a lifetime. She looks forward to building strong relationships with her students and families and making each day a positive and enriching experience. 💙🌟
Claudia Avila
Lead Teacher
Ms. Claudia is excited to be part of the Temple Shalom Preschool family! She brings 18 years of experience in education, including serving as a VPK teacher. Throughout her career, she has taught a variety of age groups, from preschool students to middle and high school learners.
Ms. Claudia attended Kean University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Spanish. She also earned her CDA from Union County College and is certified in CPR and First Aid.
When she's not in the classroom, Ms. Claudia enjoys traveling, learning about new cultures, visiting New York City, grabbing a good cup of coffee, and shopping. She is passionate about working with children and believes in teaching important values such as kindness, respect, and caring for one another as part of their school family.
Ms. Claudia is dedicated to creating a warm, nurturing environment where children feel supported, valued, and excited to learn each day. 💙🌟
Erika Cooke
Assistant Teacher
Ms. Erika is thrilled to be part of the Temple Shalom Preschool family! With nearly a decade of experience in early childhood education, she brings creativity, enthusiasm, and a genuine love for working with children to everything she does. Having started her journey at TSP in our infant program before moving on to VPK, she has experience supporting children through multiple stages of their early learning journey.
A true child at heart, Ms. Erika is often described as a ray of sunshine in human form. Her positive energy, warm personality, and playful spirit help create a classroom environment where children feel happy, supported, and excited to learn.
Ms. Erika has completed the required 45 DCF training hours and is certified in CPR and First Aid. In addition to being an educator, she is also a licensed cosmetologist. Her artistic background and naturally creative mind allow her to bring fresh ideas, hands-on activities, and imaginative learning experiences into the classroom.
One of Ms. Erika's greatest strengths is her commitment to lifelong learning. She is always seeking out professional development opportunities to expand her knowledge and discover new ways to support the children and families she serves.
Ms. Erika is passionate about creating meaningful experiences that help children learn, grow, and build confidence. She looks forward to making every day fun, engaging, and memorable while helping her students develop a lifelong love of learning. ☀️💙🌟