Staff

Since moving to Flagstaff from Chicago in 2006, Chaya dreamed of creating a preschool that blends nurturing care and meaningful early education rooted in Jewish values. That vision came to life with the opening of Teva Tots Preschool at the beautiful Molly Blank Jewish Community Center, now proudly entering its fifth successful year.

Chaya holds a B.A. from Thomas Edison State College and teacher certification from Bais Chana in Safed, Israel. With over 20 years in education and leadership, she has worked as a preschool teacher, supported children with special needs, and founded Flagstaff’s Hebrew School of the Arts and Camp Canyon.

At Teva Tots, Chaya leads a program rooted in the Reggio Emilia philosophy, which emphasizes child-led exploration, creative expression, and strong, respectful relationships. This approach aligns deeply with Jewish values such as wonder, inquiry, community, and the inherent dignity of each child. Chaya is dedicated to cultivating a rich, nurturing environment where children are seen as capable, curious, and full of potential.

Chaya also brings with her a wealth of personal experience as the proud mother of 10 children, ranging in age from 2 to 19. She draws on both her professional background and life experience to guide her leadership and ensure that Teva Tots Preschool continues to offer a joyful, high-quality early learning experience.

Victoria (Tori) Damjanovic is an Assistant Professor specializing in early childhood education and special education. She began her career as a preschool teacher and later worked as a Behavior Analyst and specialist for children with developmental delays.

After earning her Ph.D., Tori directed the teacher-educator laboratory preschool at USF, coaching teachers in inquiry-based learning, social-emotional development, and early childhood pedagogy.

Recently, she moved to Flagstaff to serve as Pedagogical Liaison for NAU’s Early Childhood Development Center and provides professional development to local preschools.

We’re excited to have Tori collaborate closely with our teachers at Teva Tots, providing ongoing, hands-on professional learning focused on pedagogical and early childhood content rooted in Reggio-inspired practices.

Jaelyn recently moved to Flagstaff to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Development, a field she has been passionate about for as long as she can remember. She has always enjoyed working with children and finding meaningful ways to support their growth and development.

Her experience as a gymnastics coach allowed her to connect with children from a variety of backgrounds and reinforced her desire to build a career in early childhood education. After joining Teva Tots as an assistant teacher last year, Jaelyn is excited to step into her new role as a lead teacher. She looks forward to creating a warm, engaging classroom where children feel supported, encouraged, and inspired to learn each day.

Shivani was raised in Phoenix, Arizona, and moved to Flagstaff in 2023 to continue her education. She is currently majoring in Early Childhood Education and has four years of experience working in preschool classrooms.

Her journey in early childhood education began at a young age through babysitting, where she discovered her love for caring for and supporting young children. At age 17, she began working at a daycare in Phoenix, gaining valuable classroom experience and further developing her passion for early childhood education.

Inspired by the caring and supportive teachers who made such a positive impact on her own childhood, Shivani is dedicated to helping children build confidence, develop important skills, and foster a lifelong love of learning. She strives to create a nurturing, engaging environment where every child feels safe, valued, and encouraged to reach their full potential. Shivani is excited to continue growing as an educator and making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and their families.

With seven years of experience in educational and volunteer roles, Lacey brings a deep passion for nurturing children’s growth and development to her role as Lead Teacher. Now in her fourth year at Teva Tots Preschool, she is a valued member of the team, known for her warmth, creativity, and dedication to each child’s well-being. Inspired by her mother, a lifelong educator, Lacey is committed to creating an engaging, supportive classroom environment where children feel empowered to thrive and reach their full potential.

Lacey’s background in social work and behavioral health gives her a unique ability to support children’s social-emotional development, including building confidence, resilience, and strong interpersonal skills. She incorporates creative approaches, such as yoga, to promote mindfulness, emotional regulation, and body awareness, fostering a holistic sense of well-being in her students.

Originally from Chicago, Illinois, and Gilbert, Arizona, Lacey moved to Flagstaff in 2019 to complete her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, with minors in Creative Media and Film and Journalism, at Northern Arizona University. Outside the classroom, she enjoys exploring the local farmers market (especially sampling salsa), playing soccer with kids, and adventuring with her dogs in the world’s largest ponderosa pine forest.

Originally from San Diego, California, Mya recently relocated to Flagstaff with her daughter and is excited to be part of the Teva Tots community. She brings several years of experience working with young children through preschools, youth programs, and family services, where she discovered a deep passion for supporting children’s growth and development.

Mya believes every child deserves to feel safe, valued, and inspired to explore the world around them. She is passionate about creating a warm, nurturing classroom where children can build confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning. Mya feels honored to be part of each child’s early learning journey and looks forward to helping them learn, grow, and thrive each day.

Riley moved to Flagstaff from Phoenix in 2023 and enjoys spending her free time hiking and snowboarding. She is a junior at Northern Arizona University, where she is majoring in Criminology and Criminal Justice with a minor in Law, Rights, and Justice.

Her passion for working with children began at 13 through babysitting and was further shaped by growing up in a large family, where she helped care for her younger siblings. Over the past several years, Riley has been a valued part of the Teva Tots and Camp Canyon communities, serving as both a substitute teacher and camp counselor. She enjoys encouraging children’s curiosity, creativity, and confidence while helping foster a positive, supportive environment where they can flourish.

Riley loves building meaningful connections with children and feels privileged to play a role in their growth and development. She is grateful to be part of the Teva Tots team and looks forward to another wonderful year with its students and families.

Chef Tony Strupeck, formerly of Karma Sushi, has become a beloved and familiar presence at Teva Tots. Known for his warm smile and friendly nature, Tony brings passion and care to every meal he prepares, creating wholesome, delicious kosher lunches and snacks that the kids truly enjoy.

With a deep commitment to using fresh, quality ingredients, Tony ensures that every dish is both nutritious and kid-friendly. His kitchen is a place where good food and genuine care come together to nourish both body and spirit.

When he’s not cooking up a storm in the kitchen, Tony loves hiking, traveling, and adventuring in the great outdoors. He’s also an avid music lover, often playing guitar, and cherishes time spent with friends and family.