After a 6-month endeavor to recruit an Early Childhood Director, Congregation Anshei Israel (CAI) has announced that Tania Spivak has been hired to fill the position starting July 11, 2022. The Early Childhood recruitment committee consisting of CAI President Evelyn Sigafus, Rabbi Sara Metz, Executive Director Debra Lytle, HR Committee Chair Donna Saffioti, Rachel and Joel Black and Brooke Rabe helped guide the process.
Spivak holds a Master of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from the American Jewish University, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child and Adolescent Development, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, both from California State University, Northridge.
She is a certified childhood educator with over 20 years of teaching and supervision experience in a school setting. Spivak has been working as a classroom teacher at the Wise Preschool in Los Angeles since 2013, where she has designed and implemented early childhood best practices. Additionally, she has served as an “Assisting Camp Director” for Adat Ari El in Valley Village, CA, where she developed, administered, and supervised summer camp curricula for children ages 2 to 5 years old.
Spivak’s references describe her as a team player, collaborator, passionate, compassionate, and a good communicator. She excels at curriculum planning and conflict resolution. She also has a background in accounting, marketing, and community outreach.
Spivak will be moving to Tucson from Southern California and will be introduced to the community and honored at an upcoming Shabbat. She will work closely with CAI Education Assistant Kim Miller, Early Childhood Assistant Director Tara Rathner, and outgoing Early Childhood Director Kimmie Spitzer, who will stay at CAI as a lead teacher next year after 2 1/2 years at her previous position.
