Stephanie Hunsaker, Preschool Director
My name is Stephanie Hunsaker, and I am the Preschool Director! I am coming to Hillel holding a Masters of Elementary Education and having taught elementary grades for the last 5 years in the Wake County Charter School System. In that time, I have seen and experienced firsthand the challenges incoming students will need to rise to, and how to best prepare younger learners to meet those challenges. My vision for the Hillel Preschool is to ensure all children have a safe and inviting learning environment that meets their individual developmental needs. A little bit about myself; I live in Fuquay-Varina with my husband Jake and outside of work we love board gaming, going on hikes around North Carolina, crafting, and I have done aerial dance in my free time for many years.
Brocha Wilschanski, Judaics Director
Hi, I'm Morah Brocha! I was born and raised in Melbourne Australia. After furthering my education in Israel, I returned to Australia for a couple of years working in both adult and elementary education and programming to later move to the States teaching in Brooklyn and running Summer Camps in both Australia and the USA.
In NY I met her husband Rabbi Mendy, where we continued our careers in education.
In 2019 we moved to Raleigh to work as Youth Directors for Chabad of Raleigh and over the years have taken on co-directorship of Chabad of Raleigh.
I love music, books, and art and enjoy bringing those together with my love of Judaism to the children at Hillel preschool
Sydney Navecky, Bagel Bouncers Co-Lead
Hello! My name is Sydney and I am one of the Bagel Bouncers teachers. I’m 22 years old. I have been working with Hillel since the summer of 2022. I started as a substitute and fell in love with the staff and families, so when they asked me to become a teacher I couldn’t say no. I am currently furthering my education at Wake Tech, which is where I received my teacher certification. I love teaching little ones and watching them grow. I have worked with kids in some capacity since I was 13. My favorite things are hanging out with my people and having a good meal. I love to travel and I am very crafty.
Debbie Sienkowski, Super Stars Co-Lead
My name is Debbie! I have always loved working with children! I am originally from Long Island, New York where I worked, (during my teenage years), as a babysitter, nanny and in day camps during the summer. After receiving a Bachelors degree in Sociology & Psychology, I went on to earn my CDA Certificate. I worked in NYC at the 92nd Street YM-YWHA, in the Center for Youth and Family for 2 years before moving to Florida. In Florida, I worked at Temple Beth El as a lead teacher for the 3 year olds until I had children of my own. I have 3 children. My youngest child is a graduate of Hillel preschool. I started working at Hillel in 2014 as a floater and eventually worked as an assistant in the Super Star class. I became a lead teacher for the Mitzvah Maven class in 2018 and am currently a co lead in the Super Star class. During my free time I enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles, reading, hiking and spending time with family and friends.
Cheryl Maitin, Torah Tykes Lead Teacher
Ms Cheryl is now in her 16th year teaching the 4 year olds, the Torah Tyke Tigers at Hillel Preschool. She brought both Letterland and Learning without Tears to our school. She has been teaching, loving and learning with children for 30 years. She is a graduate of State University of NY at Oneonta with a degree in Elementary Education and has her NC Early Childhood license. Hillel is not only her place of work but also part of her family. She loves keeping in touch with former students and being a part of their family, treating every child as if they were her own. Her husband Larry is a real estate Attorney at the Maitin Law Firm and also a professional magician. Together they have 2 adult Children; Arielle teaches Kindergarten for Wake county. Their son Damian works for a major Financial company near Charlotte. In Ms. Cheryl’s spare time she loves to spend time with her family and friends, read, play Mah-Jongg, paint, redo parts of her house, puzzles, workout and binge watch TV. Ms Cheryl’s philosophy is if you have high expectations, children will work toward them. Play, kindness and social interactions are an important part of learning alongside with academic skills. When children complete her class, they are ready for the challenges of Kindergarten that lie ahead. The Torah Tykes class ends every day saying Be Kind to One another.
Tonia Wood, Bagel Bouncers Co-Lead
Hello!
My name is Tonia Wood. I am a co-lead teacher in the Bagel Bouncer class, our 1s.
I’ve lived in Raleigh most of my life. I went to Millbrook Senior High School right here in Raleigh. I graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Health Promotion and a minor in Nutrition. I went on to Florida International University to pursue a Master’s in Nutrition.
I’ve worked at Hillel in several roles including as an assistant teacher in the Bagel Bouncer class, an assistant teacher in the Torah Tykes class, as a substitute in all classrooms, and as a caregiver for both the aftercare and late care programs.
I enjoyed working as a substitute teacher in Rochester, Minnesota for grades preK-12; primarily at the middle school level for 2+ years and at an elementary school for one year during Covid.
I home schooled my kids for seven years. I am the mother of six children with the youngest having just graduated high school in June. I’m happy to be at Hillel and hope to see you there!
Dee Dee Thomas, Mitzvah Mavens Lead Teacher
Hello friends, how are you?
I’m DeeDee, a reformed stay-at-home mom turned preschool teacher. I have two little boys who are the light of my life and a husband who is less so.
I have a BA in English and a BS in Political Science which are useless to me in my everyday life as a preschool jungle gym. But not as much as that Law Degree I received.
I’m a recent NC transplant, by way of Louisiana and Arizona where my extended family still reside.
It is my constant joy and pleasure to spend my days watching little children become more aware the world around them and learn through play and exploration.
If you’re looking for me, I’m knitting so follow the balls of yarn.
Kim Greenhaw, Torah Tykes Teaching Assistant
Ms. Kim has been working with Ms. Cheryl for 7 years. She is a native of Raleigh and a graduate of Hillel preschool. She has a psychology degree from Meredith College. Her husband Greg works in software sales and they have two children, Chloe, a freshman in high school and Jackson, a fourth grader. They are also both graduates of Hillel and former Torah Tykes. Ms. Kim is also a certified Red Cross CPR instructor. In her free time she likes to spend time with family and friends, read, binge watch tv, and go on hikes.
Stephanie Fishman, Super Stars Co-Lead
Hi! My name is Stephanie Fishman and I have been an early childhood educator for 12 years. I joined the Hillel team in 2021. I co-teach the Superstar class with the fabulous Ms. Debbie. I am originally from South Florida and hold a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders from Florida State University. Go Noles! My daughter graduated from Hillel in 2022 and my son is currently a Mitzvah Maven. We love the community feel here! In my free time, I love spending time with my family, reading, baking, and exploring different family friendly areas in Raleigh!
Sharon Timor, Mitzvah Mavens Teaching Assistant
My name is Sharon Timor, I was born and raised in Israel.
Ten years ago I’ve relocated to North Carolina with my Family and live in the WF area, raising our 4 children.
I’m well familiar with the Hillel Family as a Mitzvah Maven, Bagel Bouncer and After-care teacher in the past years, as well as a mother of 3 Hillel’s graduate