ABOUT OUR STAFF
Jody Glassman, Early Childhood Program Director
Jody Glassman is the creator and Director of the Mazel Tots program since its inception in 2001. Her interest in teaching preschoolers began when she herself was a child. Jody’s mother worked in a Day Care Center and would often take Jody to work with her. It was there that Jody’s career path was formed. The joy of working with children is in the family’s DNA. Jody’s daughter, Ally Glassman, is our Religious School Director.
Jody has been in early childhood education and administration for more than 30 years. Jody has taught every age group from birth to Kindergarten. She was an administrator at Mohawk Day Camp and had worked there for more than 20 years before starting Summer Stars. Jody has been teaching in Scarsdale Synagogue’s Religious School since 1992.
Jody is active in the synagogue in a number of committees supporting the organization.
Lisa, a dedicated mother of two, raised her sons in Edgemont. Now in Hartsdale with her husband, she continues to embrace life with warmth and creativity. Her career spans a variety of fields including magazine ad sales, furniture sales and design services, along with private interior design consulting. For the past 15 years, drawn by her love for young children, Lisa began working at a local Jewish preschool, and now has joined Mazel Tots in our 2/s program. Whether in her professional life or her work with children, Lisa's nurturing spirit shines through. Her journey reflects a commitment to caring for others and making meaningful connections.
Kerry Blinder
Kerry joined Mazel Tots as an assistant teacher in our toddler classroom in January 2025. She has a BA in Philosophy from Union College and an MBA in Marketing from New York University. After working in the corporate world for several years, she went back to school to earn her Master of Science in Teaching from Fordham University. She has lived in Scarsdale for nearly 20 years with her husband and two daughters. Now that her children are in college, Kerry is thrilled to be part of the Mazel Tots team and finds great joy in nurturing the growth and development of our youngest classroom members
Stefani Cohen, Educational Consultant Stefani has been a long time member of Scarsdale Synagogue and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker receiving her MSW from NYU. In the past, she taught all levels of preschool at Temple Israel, White Plains. She is a parenting coach and educator, play therapist and child development specialist. Stefani has a love of animals, especially dogs. Together with her canine assistant, they visit Mazel Tots to teach the children about kindness to animals and safety around dogs.
Dara Feuerstein
Dara Feuerstein is excited to be part of the staff at Mazel Tots. She is an assistant teacher in the Toddler Program. Dara has B.A. in Anthropology from Binghamton University and a M.A. in Museum Studies from George Washington University. Early in her career, Dara enjoyed working in several museums throughout New York City. The Children's Museum of Manhattan was especially wonderful for her as she helped develop exhibits that allowed children to grow and explore in various ways. As a mother of three children, all alumni of Mazel Tots, Dara is thrilled to be working with young children and helping them learn and acquire new skills.
Carol Gilman Carol joined Mazel Tots in September 2023 as an assistant teacher in the fours. Carol’s previous career was as an occupational therapist in a local area school system (COTA degree from Mercy College). Carol assisted children by designing and implementing individual therapy programs to help each child be successful in the classroom environment. Carol loves teaching and watching the children develop during the course of the school year. Carol's super power is encouraging creative and engaging activities.
Marie LaCassa
Marie joined the Mazel Tots family as an assistant teacher with our youngest children. She received her BA in Business Economics from The University of California – Santa Barbara and later earned her MEd in Curriculum Development from National University. Prior to moving from California to New York, she worked for eight years teaching middle school and high school math, while also spending several years as a secondary education coach. Marie and her husband, Michael, have two children who are both enrolled in Mazel Tots.
Jen Levy
Jen strives to create and maintain an environment where your child can grow and thrive as a Head Teacher in our 2’s. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a BA in Sociology and a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Hunter college. She also attended additional classes through Teacher’s College at Columbia University. Jen started her teaching career at P.S. 86 in Bronx teaching second grade for more than 15 years, and she has been teaching nursery school in Westchester for 11 years. She loves to teach through art, music and play, and she believes you’re never too young to learn.
Liz Margolin
Liz has been a Head Teacher in the 2’s since 2004, and a counselor at Summer Stars since 2012. Liz earned a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Hunter College. She began her teaching career at the 92nd St Y where she taught two year olds for 7 years. Liz is an active member at Scarsdale Synagogue working with the Family Fun Events Committee, PJ Library and the Early Childhood Committee. She also chairs the Book Fair at Fox Meadow Elementary school. She loves being a part of the children's first school experience, and watching them grow as they journey through the older classes. As a mom of three boys who all had their preschool start at Mazel Tots, she feels a special connection to the nursery school.
Dawn Nickman
Dawn has a BFA in design from Kent University. After earning her degree, she began her career as an Art Director at an influential NYC design firm. Following many years of success, she founded her own design firm and did continuing work for other major firms.
Upon getting married and having her three children, Dawn discovered a new passion; working with children and art. In that vein, she did extensive volunteer work at the 92nd street Y. After the 92nd street Y, she moved on to work as an assistant teacher at a private K-8 school. There she was able to expand on her love of art and working with children. She then founded a small art business catering to young children who did not have access to art in the same way at their schools. Here she had the opportunity to work with children in smaller groups to excite their passion with art. She is thrilled to be here at Mazel Tots!
Michele Older
Michele Older has been on the Mazel Tots staff since 2007. She has a B.A. in Anthropology from SUNY Binghamton, and a Masters Degree in Education from Hunter College. Michele taught 5th and 2nd grade classes in New York City Public Schools before moving to Westchester County.
Michele has always loved working with nursery school aged children. It is exciting to see the growth and development happen right before our eyes! She also loves getting to know the families of the Mazel Tots’ children and working with wonderful colleagues.
Jeannine Palermo
Jeannine Palermo has been working at Mazel Tots as a Fitness Specialist since 2006. In the Fall of 2020 she also joined our staff as an Assistant Teacher in the Toddlers. She earned a BS in Marketing from Fordham University and spent many years in the corporate world before having children. While raising her two children, Jeannine started her own business as a Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer. She works with all ages and loves helping people get active and stay healthy. Now that her boys are grown, Jeannine is excited to work with the Toddlers and be part of their first experience at Mazel Tots.
Mariana graduated with a BA in Brazil and worked for many years at a global steel manufacturer. She began as an executive assistant, managing office routines, organizing events, and helping to relocate European families for work. She then had the opportunity to manage the hiring of young, talented students aged 14-16 to work part-time and learn alongside engineers at the plant. After taking some time off living in Abu Dhabi, and then to focus on raising her children, Mariana is now excited to return to work in education and contribute to the development of young minds. She enjoys taking trips with her family and going to the library with her kids.
Lori has spent the more than twenty years at Barnes & Noble, where you may have seen her reading to preschoolers and toddlers at Storytime, and helping families stock up on bedtime stories. Her favorite part of being a bookseller was matching kids with just the right books to capture their interest and help them become lifelong readers. She is thrilled to bring this experience to a classroom environment. Aside from being a bookseller and Mazel Tots mom, Lori has volunteered with Meals on Wheels of White Plains, and Scarsdale Synagogue’s Food Pantry packing and delivery. Her favorite storytime authors include Chris Van Dusen, Mac Barnett, and Sophie Blackall, takes very seriously the behest of Barbara Cooney’s Miss Rumphius: “You must do something to make the world more beautiful.”
Julie Sikoryak
Julie has been an assistant Teacher since 2003. Julie is passionate about positively impacting these critical years in a child’s development. She is continuously looking for exciting and creative ways to make each year a unique, fun-filled experience for her class. One of Julie’s favorite parts of working at Mazel Tots is the fact that the staff is like an extension of her family. She looks forward to going to work every day.
Gloria Tucker
Gloria has worked in nursery schools since 2015 and fell in love with Mazel Tots when she joined the Mazel Tots staff in February, 2022. She enjoys watching the children flourish from the beginning of the year to the end. She encourages the children to use their imagination and creativity when painting or working on an activity. Gloria loves seeing the wonderful personality of each child emerge while she builds a bond with every one of them. She can’t wait to see those cute little faces every day.
Nicole Zlomislic
Nicole studied Drama and English at the University of California, Irvine, and received her teacher certification from Cal State Long Beach. She has worked as a 1:1 aide, a head teacher in 4th and 5th grades, as well as a teacher in religious education for grades 1-8. Her two sons provided her first lessons in the preschool mind, and now that they are in high school she is thrilled to be at Mazel Tots, where she continues to find joy in working with preschool children and helping them to develop a love for school and learning.