Our Approach

At TBA Preschool we strive to teach the whole child. With this in mind, we engage with each of our preschoolers, recognizing their individual learning styles, throughout their educational journey. Utilizing a multi-sensory approach, we present the magic of education through stories, songs, dance, art, nature and much more to spark our children’s imaginations. Jewish holidays are celebrated with ruach (spirit) and the values of kindness and tikun olam (healing the earth) are enthusiastically modeled. TBA Preschool is a warm inviting home where your child will learn and grow.

Meet the Team

Amy Naphtali – Director

Miss Amy Naphtali has been the director of Temple Beth Ahm Preschool for the past 12 years. She holds both a BA and MA in Education from the City University of New York, Brooklyn and Staten Island. She began her teaching career at PS 97 in Brooklyn, teaching 2nd, 4th and 5th graders. Once she had children she decided to stay home, and then became active at TBA, since her children attended the preschool there. She was part of the reorganizing committee 13 years ago and helped turn around the existing school. She revamped the program, updated the equipment, revitalized the classrooms and created all of the special programs we participate in today. She even won a Solomon Schechter Gold Award for her Tu B’Shevat program. Five years ago she learned to play guitar and now teaches music both in the preschool and at a local day camp. She also runs our Tot Shabbat program, very popular with families with young children.
Miss Amy has always known she would be an educator and has been working with children since she was practically a child herself. She loves the excitement, sincerity and honesty that young children radiate. Every morning Miss Amy opens the doors and loves watching the children run into school excited to start their day, see their friends, learn new things, and create with their own little hands. Although there are too many to name, two of her favorite children’s books are Dr Seuss’ The Sleep Book and Shel Silversteins The Giving Tree. Outside of TBA Preschool Miss Amy loves to travel, read, cook, and spend time with her family and friends.

Jenn Butkovic – Assistant Director

Miss Jennifer holds a BA in Travel & Tourism Management from Johnson & Wales University.  This is Miss Jennifer’s 5th year teaching at Temple Beth Ahm Preschool.  Her children graduated from TBA Preschool.  Miss Jennifer was captivated by the phenomenal learning through play philosophy at TBA.  She was the Mom that would always volunteer and would never leave.  A New York Times article suggests that you should chose a preschool for your child that you would have liked to attend.  So, that’s just what Miss Jennifer did.  When her children entered public school, Miss Jennifer was honored to join the TBA family.  She enjoys being amazed everyday at how much the children learn without realizing that they are learning.  Her favorite children’s book is I Promise I’ll Find You by Heather P. Ward.  When she’s not having fun at Temple Beth Ahm, Miss Jennifer is an active animal shelter volunteer and foster. She enjoys doing arts and crafts, gardening and travelling with her family.

Kerry Mullen – Teacher

Miss Kerry holds a BA in Education from St. Joseph’s college with a two year concentration in Early Childhood Education.  Before coming to TBA this year, she taught a 3 year old program in Brooklyn for 6 years.  Miss Kerry takes great joy in watching the social, emotional and cognitive development of her students through the preschool years, it really is amazing!  Brown Bear, Brown Bear what Do You See? is one of her favorite children’s books because after reading it she eventually gets to see the children “reading” it on their own.  At home Kerry enjoys time with her family and trying out new recipes.

Pilar Seltzer – Assistant Teacher

Miss Pilar has been an assistant teacher for the past 19 years, working at Temple Beth Ahm since 2009. Before that she worked at Temple Rodeph Torah and Temple Beth Shalom.  She loves to see the children’s curiosity and enthusiasm when they come into school.  Her favorite children’s book is When You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff.   Outside of school she loves to cook, ride her bike and spend time with her children, husband and dog.

Randi Goldberg -Assistant Teacher

Miss Randi holds a bachelors degree from Rider College. This is her 12th year as a teaching assistant at Temple Beth Ahm Preschool. She also worked as a teachers assistant two years at another preschool. She adores working with all preschoolers. Watching the little ones form new friendships and learning gives her great joy. Her favorite children’s book is I’m Gonna Like Me by Jamie Curtis. Outside of Temple Beth Ahm she likes going to the gym, spending time with her family and taking walks with her two dogs.

Stacey – Assistant Teacher

Miss Stacey was born and raised in Brooklyn where her passion working with preschoolers began. At age 25 she moved to Staten Island and became an assistant preschool teacher for 2 and 3 year olds, where she met her husband – fate bringing them together when she was his nephew’s preschool teacher. She went on to work in Early Intervention as a service coordinator setting up and maintaining children’s therapy programs. She was then blessed enough to become a stay at home mom. Miss Stacey moved to Aberdeen 15 years ago, discovered TBA Preschool for her 2 year old daughter and instantly fell in love with the school, program and staff. Their daughter thrived, as did their son when they joined the Mommy & Me class. She missed it so much after her kids graduated that she wanted to come back. She feels fortunate to be part of the TBA preschool. She thoroughly loves walking into the classroom and learning new things from the kids every day. Their laughter is contagious. Her favorite children’s book is The Napping House by Audrey Wood. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, DIYing and cooking.

Kim Kaufman – Mommy & Me Teacher

Miss Kim holds a BA in Applied Psychology and Human Relations from Pace University and a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources from NYU.  She was a Manager of Human Resources at Madison Square Garden for 7 years before having children.  She has worked at TBA Preschool as an assistant sub since 2019.  Miss Kim became the Mommy & Me teacher in October 2021.  She loves playing, singing, and running around like a toddler.  Miss Kim’s favorite books are any by Mo Willems and encourages reading out loud in different voices.  Outside of TBA Preschool Miss Kim loves to read, spend time with her children, husband, and family.  She is very active in the Temple Beth Ahm community as well at the Colts Neck PTO

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