Sheila has been at the ECC for the past 17 years. She has a bachelor’s in education from City College. In 2006 Sheila attended the North American Study Group in Reggio Emilia Italy. She has been on the Leadership Committee and on the ECC Strategic Planning Committee. Sheila has a passion for hearing children’s ideas and exploring the Possibilities Place, where children explore the found objects, discuss their ideas, and make their ideas come alive.
Lisa Karlin, a clinical social worker, has been our early childhood consultant since 2016. Lisa has worked with highly respected schools and programs around New York City. A licensed social worker (LCSW), she earned her master’s in social work from New York University. She has also done coursework at Bank Street College of Education and she studied family dynamics at The Ackerman Institute. A lifelong New Yorker, Lisa’s post-graduate education has focused on child development and special education and she maintains a private practice in Brooklyn Heights. She loves nothing more than spending time with children and teachers in the classroom and meeting with parents.
Noemi has been a teacher at the ECC since it was a much smaller school. She began in the 2s classroom three days a week and was part of a book club for teachers created to help them get to know one another. She built on her understanding of the Reggio Emilia philosophy by attending a Reggio conference in Santa Monica and attending a study tour in Reggio Emilia, Italy. She loves playing bingo with the seniors in her community, and braiding children’s hair. She earned her child development associate from Bank Street School of Education.
Adriana Ovalles has been part of the ECC family for the past 23 years. She has experience with all three age groups at the ECC. She is married with two beautiful children, Dylan and Ashley. Adriana believes that children are unique and very capable from a very young age. She loves art, the summer and the beach. Her family is very important to her.
Ashley has been a special educator and Learning & Literacy Specialist for over 20 years. She earned her master’s degree in education/teaching literacy from Bank Street College of Education. Most recently, she’s been working privately with K–5th grade students on reading and writing remediation. She is looking forward to working with younger learners who have curious minds and are excited about life.
After 22 years in Santa Cruz, CA, Sarah moved to New York and joined the SWFS community teaching at the Early Childhood Center.
She worked as the Lifelong Learning Coordinator and PJ Library Program Professional for Temple Beth El in Aptos, CA . With experience in Jewish Education since 1992, Sarah has taught at Jewish preschools, day schools, and congregational schools. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Education and Ceramics from Bennington College, a Master’s in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Bank Street College of Education, and a Master’s in Jewish Educational Leadership from HUC-JIR. Sarah has worked with the iCenter, developing Israel education programs and as a member of its Conflict of Interest cohort.
Her daughter is an equestrian eventer attending the University of South Carolina and her son plays Division I soccer for University of California, Irvine. When not teaching, studying Hebrew or learning about Israel, Sarah enjoys walking and has developed a passion for Argentine Tango.
