ECLC Administrative StaffAmy Vermillion, Early Childhood Services Director

Amy Vermillion has worked at the JCC of Northern Virginia for over 20 years in many capacities ranging from Educator to Camp

Director to her current role as Early Childhood Services Director. Amy graduated from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a specialization in Early Childhood Education. She has one son who attended the ECLC Preschool program and is now an Educator in the preschool. Responsible for: Overseeing all Early Childhood Services , overseeing and supervising Educators and classrooms, Human Resources, financial assistance.

Amit Hickman, Early Childhood Learning Center Director

Amit Hickman began her career at the JCCNV 19 years ago as a student aide. She received her BS in Applied Developmental

Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh where she had the opportunity to work at one of the most well-known Reggio Emilia schools in the country. She finished her MEd in Curriculum and Instruction with an Early Childhood Focus at George Mason University. Amit is also an ECLC parent, as her 3 children all began in the ECLC as Infants and her twins are currently in the Preschool program.Responsible for: Overseeing and supervising Educators and classrooms, curriculum development, staff professional development.

Laura Cooper, ECS Administrative CoordinatorLaura Cooper has worked at the JCCNV for 5 years. Prior to joining the ECLC Administration, she was a Preschool Educator. She has

a background in Early Childhood Education and previously worked as an ABA instructor. Laura is passionate about making connections with families and and collaborating in efforts to continue to make the ECLC a community where everybody wants to be. Responsible for: Parent communication, absences, children's paperwork, medications, and ECLC enrichment class programming.

Juliana Quinteros-Mian, ECS Administrative CoordinatorJuliana Quinteros-Mian has been a part of the ECLC team for 10 years. This year, Juliana steps out of the classroom as an Educator and joins the

Administrative team full-time. Juliana feels fortunate to have found such a wonderful community to be a part of, here at the JCCNV. Responsible for: Snack and Lunch programs, medications, absences and Kids' Night Out/Parents' Night Out events.

Ashley Hoy, ECS Curriculum CoordinatorAshley Hoy started as an ECLC Educator 2 years ago. She joined the administrative staff last year. She has over 7 years of experience teaching

preschool in the Chicago suburbs and also taught Kindergarten before joining the JCCNV community. Ashley received her degree in Elementary Education from Western Michigan University. In her spare time, Ashley enjoys street photography and traveling around DC. Responsible for: Collaborating with classrooms and Educators.

Kayla Angelosante, ECS Curriculum Coordinator

Kayla joined the JCCNV for 2 years and is excited to join the ECLC administrative staff. Duel BA degree in Psychology

and Philosophy from Texas A&M, Corpus Christi and a MA in Philosophy. Prior to joining the ECLC team, Kayla served 2 years in the US Peace Corps. When she is not working, Kayla enjoys hiking, international travel and philosophical debates.

Debbie Blonder has been working at the JCCNV ECLC for 14 years. Debbie recently retired from the classroom,

Responsible for: Collaborating with classrooms and Educators.

Debbie Blonder, Jewish Culture and Values Coordinator

Laura Snell, Pedagogical Specialist

where she taught 3s and 4s, and is looking forward to working directly with the Educators. Responsible for: Supporting classroom educators in their Jewish learning and implementing Judaic curriculum in classrooms, resource for parents in relation to Jewish programming and values.

Melissa Hochberg,Educator Resource Specialist

Melissa Hochberg has been working at the JCCNV for 9 years and has a Communications Degree from

SUNY Oneonta and a MA in Special Education from the University of Virginia. After raising three children with learning challenges, she wanted to share her years of experience with others and loves spending her days in the ECLC offering support to the educators, children, and their families. Responsible for: Providing support in the classrooms as needed including behavior management, mindfulness and development questions; assisting parents with questions regarding development.

Sarah Vejvoda, Atelierista (Art Specialist)

Sarah Samuels Vejvoda has been the ECLC Atelierista for the past 6 years. Sarah began creating artwork at a very young age, primarily interested in observation and rendering.

Her education has been extensive, from classes on the East Coast, on the West Coast, and even abroad. Sarah earned a BFA from Syracuse University and a Post-Baccalaureate degree from the San Francisco Art Institute. Responsible for: working with the classroom Educators and students to help develop their ideas into a visual representation using various art materials and techniques.

Laura Snell has worked at the ECLC for 3 years. She spends her mornings as a Preschool Educator and her afternoons in her new role as the Pedagogical Specialist. Laura

has a BA in Applied Social Sciences from the University of Colorado. Responsible for: Aiding and supporting new Educators as they begin to implement the Reggio Emilia philosophy in the classroom.

Lisa Hershaft has been leading music at the JCCNV for the past 5 years. Lisa teaches music at many local Jewish preschools and loves getting

Lisa Hershaft, Music Specialist

to see the children each week.Responsible for: Introducing Jewish music and content to the children as well as instruments, etc.

Tracy Hartmann, Sh'mirat HaGuf (Healthy Living) Specialist Tracy Hartmann is starting her 12th year at the ECLC. She has worked in various roles throughout her tenure including classroom educator,

support educator and her present position teaching yoga, pilates, and movement through the Sh'mirat HaGuf program. She is a graduate of The Budding Yogis Teaching Yoga to Kids certification training, which she obtained from Circle Yoga in Washington, D.C.Responsible for: Teaching yoga, pilates, exercise and movement to the children while introducing them to healthy habits.

Bori Szilagyi, Sh'mirat HaGuf (Healthy Living) Specialist

Bori has her degree in psychology and has taught at the ECLC for 8 years. She enjoys implementing the

Reggio-Emilia philosophy and using open ended materials to provoke children’s interest and critical thinking skills. Bori is passionate about healthy living and bringing nature into daily activities.

Responsible for: Teaching yoga, pilates, exercise and movement to the children while introducing them to healthy habits.