.png)
Our Teachers
The warm and nurturing staff at the Greenburgh Hebrew Center ECC are well educated, with extensive experience working with young children. The primary concern of every staff member is to meet the needs of each individual child. Communication between school and home is frequent, and formal conferences with parents are scheduled twice during the school year. The staff stays current with new developments in education by attending early childhood workshops every year. All teachers are certified by the American Heart Association in Adult, Child and Infant CPR and First Aid.
Shaatrice Rossi
Director
Christina Quoka
Teacher
Stephanie
Walters-Abdul
Teacher
Arianna Esposito Teacher
.jpg)
Mary Presta
Teacher
Aaliyah Simpson
Teacher Assistant
Christina has 4 years of classroom experience, as a teacher and paraprofessional. She was also a tutor and her love for children led her to be a character performer at a Walt Disney resort. Christina loves working with children and watching them develop & learn new skills.
Stephanie comes from family of early childhood educators. This is Stephanie’s second year at GHC. She has many years of experience volunteering on school trips, sporting activities and assisting in the classroom. Stephanie has a bachelor’s degree. Before joining GHC she was a nanny for 3 years. Stephanie has a teenage son who keeps her busy with swimming events. She says, “It is a joy, coming to GHC, to see how the children are eager to learn.” Stephanie states she is happy to be a part of the growth journey, helping children to reach important milestones. Stephanie is currently enrolled in a CDA program.
Mary has such a warm disposition; the children here are really drawn to her. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Mary is from Dobbs Ferry. She has worked close by in the community for over 12 years working with children at Dow’s Lane Elementary School as a Teacher’s Assistant and subbing for teachers. Mary enjoys spending time with her two children and five grandchildren. Mary feels her calling is to work with children.
Shaatrice has joined the GHC ECC team as the Early Childhood Director in 2023. She is a certified teacher for general education, as well as for special education from birth to sixth grade. With a master’s degree in early childhood education with an extension in special education and childhood education, her passion and compassionate personality is a great asset for our school. She just received a master’s in educational leadership from Mercy University. She currently lives in Scarsdale with her husband and daughter.
Arianna Esposito holds a BA in Behavioral Science and is currently enrolled in a Master’s in Early Childhood Education program. She has several years of experience working with young children, including in early intervention and special education settings. Arianna is passionate about creating a supportive and engaging learning environment where every child can succeed. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing softball, and caring for her pet bearded dragon.
Aaliyah has an Associate's degree in the arts and is enrolled to receive her Bachelor's degree in mathematics and Master of Arts in Teaching. She has 2 years' experience as a teacher's aide and many years of experience as a camp counselor. Aliyah will be the teaching assistant in the 2's class.
Jay Stein
Rabbi
Anna May
Cantor
Marcia Lane
Cantor
Rabbi Jay Stein received his ordination, an M.A. in Jewish Education and a B.A. in Jewish Philosophy from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. In addition, he received a B.A., Sociology from Columbia University. From 1990-1991, he served as an Alef-Alef Fellow in Jewish Education at Tel Aviv University.
In 1993, Rabbi Stein was awarded The Lowenfeld Prize in Practical Theology from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. In 1995, Rabbi Stein was named a Wexner Rabbinic Fellow. In 2021 he was awarded a Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa from The Jewish Theological Seminary of America.
Rabbi Stein works with our ECC children on a regular basis and it is one of his most favorite parts of his day! In his spare time he runs and does yoga. Rabbi Stein is married to Sharon Gross and he is the proud father of Adi, Nina, Gavi, Mia and Yasi.
Cantor Anna May has had the pleasure of serving as the cantor at GHC since 2020. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, she has also lived in Queens, Washington Heights, Jerusalem, the Upper East Side, and Dobbs Ferry. A graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2019, she is passionate about Jewish music and prayer and loves singing songs with the kiddos in the ECC and religious school! She lives with her husband Scott, son Lionel, and two cats.
Cantor Marcia Lane has a rich background in the worlds of arts-in-education and Jewish organizations. She was a nationally-known storyteller and award winning recording artist with 3 cd's for children on the Gentle Wind label. Marcia was the Assistant Director of Education at Carnegie Hall, and she created the department of Youth Volunteer Programs at DOROT. Since getting her ordination as a cantor at the Academy for Jewish Religion, she has served a variety of congregations. Currently Marcia is the GHC Religious School Principal and a teacher in the Religious School. She is especially delighted to work with our ECC children during Shabbat and holiday celebrations.