Our Team | Shenker Academy

Faculty & Staff

Our teachers and assistants have a CDA, AA, BS, BA, or MA degrees in the Early Childhood Field or a related field. Shenker Academy hires professional faculty members who are dedicated to the school mission and passionate about early childhood education and about their personal growth.

We are certified by the State of Nevada Preschool Licensing Department, Nevada Department of Education, SNHD, Office of State Fire Marshal, Department of Building & Safety, OSHA, and accredited by the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Head of School

Dr. Sharon R. Knafo

Dr. Sharon R. Knafo is a leader in education with over 20 years of administrative experience in elementary and secondary public and private schools. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Bar-Ilan in Sociology, and a Master’s degree in Social Sciences from Ben-Gurion University, as well as Teaching Certification from the State of Texas, the State of Nevada, and the Israeli Ministry of Education. Dr. Knafo completed Day School Management and Leadership Studies at the JTS in New York City and received his Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership and Management from the University of Memphis.

After fulfilling a variety of leadership positions as a principal in elementary and middle schools in Memphis Tennessee and Houston, Texas, he assumed the position of School Head at Shenker Academy. Dr. Knafo is married+2 and finds the time to write in various publications and speak to employees and non-profit organizations around the country about careers and organizational culture. Dr. Knafo addressed audiences in universities, schools, congregations, community centers, and at various conferences and events. His educational philosophy embraces the balance between academic achievements, creativity, cognitive development, and social growth, and sees the necessity of skilled management interwoven with educational mission and vision as a vital component when leading a school. In the center, Dr. Knafo views the personal relationship and the community building around the school as a unique strength of Shenker Academy.

Curriculum & Licensing Administrator

Paola Borders

Mrs. Borders is a 3’s preschool lead teacher and curriculum coordinator. In her administrative position, Mrs. Borders manages all teacher training licensing requirements and report to the Head of School. In addition, Mrs. Borders coordinates the quality improvement system among the lead teachers. Mrs. Borders in at Shenker Academy for the past 10 years and her experience is beneficial to all our team members.

Admissions Director

Casey Luna

Casey Camat-Luna is the Admissions Director and Administrator at Shenker Academy for the past 5 years. Prior to joining Shenker Academy, Casey held various administrative positions in Biotech, Pharmaceuticals, and Private Equity. Casey holds a BA in Business Management from CSUH Casey, and with more than 20 years’ experience in business administration, it is Casey’s goal to provide excellent customer service to our current families, as well as prospective families interested in learning more about Shenker Academy. Please contact Casey directly at 702.255.5437 or via email at admissions@shenkeracademy.com to inquire about the admissions process at Shenker Academy.

Accounting Administrator

Melissa Rogers

My name is Melissa Rogers and I have an Administration background along with 14 years of extensive Sales and Marketing experience. I started my path at Shenker Academy as a parent and fell in love with the school and its amazing staff. I have been working with the administration team since 2017 and after a short maturity leave, I was happy to return as a full-time member of this dedicated team. I am here to assist our teachers, our students and our parents with anything that you need; and look forward to welcoming prospective families to our lovely campus.

Lead Teachers

Kindergarten Lead

Sheryl Davis-Haas

My name is Sheryl Davis-Haas. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and have been teaching for over twelve years. I started my journey in education as a Pre-K/Kindergarten teacher in Okinawa, Japan where I began teaching at an International Montessori based school. I have since been blessed by teaching Kindergarten at Zion Christian Academy (Okinawa, Japan), Second Grade, and First/Second Grade combination class at Tree of Life Christian School (Las Vegas, Nevada). I also held the Vice Principal position at Tree of Life for four years. Teaching has always been a passion for me. I first started teaching English in Korea, Germany, and Japan, but gradually earned my BA in Early Childhood Education. It is an honor to be teaching Kindergarten; my sixth year at Shenker Academy.

Pre-Kindergarten Lead

Maria Causey

My name is Maria Causey and I am the Lead Teacher in the Little Rangers classroom. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education, and I have taught in the State of Delaware for six years before moving to Las Vegas. I am passionate about teaching and learning, and after teaching middle school age and elementary school age I have taken a turn and focused on early childhood education. I am grateful to join the team at Shenker Academy and I am happy to have such a great class this year.

Pre-Kindergarten Lead

Lauren Alvarez

My name is Lauren Alvarez, and I am the Lead Teacher in The Pete’s Pals classroom. After moving from California to Las Vegas, I worked in the Lamb of God School for three years and taught the 3-year-old program, as well as the pre-kindergarten class. I have joined Shenker Academy in the Summer of 2018, and I am excited to teach my Pete’s Pals during the 2018-9 school year.

Pre-Kindergarten Lead

Jenny Barbag

My name is Jenny Barbag and I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from California State University in Los Angeles. After years of experience in early childhood education as a lead teacher and administrator I have joined the team at Shenker Academy as a lead teacher to the Little Explorers pre-kindergarten class. I embrace diversity and inclusion and I have great passion for excellence and growth. I love working with my team to enhance our creative learnings every day.

4’s Lead Teacher

Kijai Ridick-Tupelehake

My name is Kijai Riddick-Tuipelehake and I am the Lead Pre-Kindergarten Teacher of the Wonder Kids. Prior to moving back home here in Las Vegas, I tutored children with special needs, worked at the YWCA Youth Center, and contributed as a volunteer with local charity programs in Virginia. Working with children is my passion. It is my mission to prepare my class for Kindergarten and enrich their lives with the fundamentals of STEM. After leading the kindergarten-first grade for 2020-2, I am very excited and happy to lead the pre-kindergarten and be a part of the Shenker Academy team!

3’s Lead Teacher

Haylee Kluge

My name is Haylee Kluge, and I am the Lead Teacher in the Whales classroom this year. This is my second year at Shenker Academy. I am holding a Bachelors’s in Liberal arts, a Master’s in Early Childhood Education as well as a CDA certification. I am excited to lead the 3’s Whales, and I enjoy being part of the Shenker Academy team.

3’s Lead Teacher

Jobel Mabasa

My name is Jobel Mabasa, and I am the 3’s Lead teacher at Shenker Academy. I love working with the students through centers and defined structure, and the students learn writing, letters, sight words, reading comprehension, science, and mathematics from a very young age. I work very closely with parents to meet individual needs, and my communication through our app and our newsletter is vital for the growth and support of my students.

3’s Lead Teacher

Eryka Slizeski

My name is Eryka Slizeski, and I am a 3’s Lead teacher at Shenker Academy. I love working with the students through centers and defined structure, and the students learn writing, letters, sight words, reading comprehension, science, and mathematics from a very young age. I work very closely with parents to meet individual needs, and my communication through our app and our newsletter is vital for the growth and support of my students.

3’s Lead Teacher

Paola Borders

My name is Paola Borders. I am originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and I have been living in the US for the past 20 years. I have been working in the field of early childhood education for fourteen years. I am the teacher for the three-year-olds in the Safari Kids classroom. I believe that teaching and mentoring this age group is not only challenging but also very gratifying. Our classroom is always busy. Art materials are within children’s reach to enable them to create their masterpieces. In addition to art, there are 11 other different areas of interest in our classroom available for all children to help enhance their learning. I am very excited and honored to be the Safari Kids teacher for the past five years.

2’s Lead Teacher

Betzy Rangel

Hello, my name is Betzy Rangel, and after working for three years at Shenker Academy, I assumed the lead position in the Two-Year-Old program. I hold a CDA from the University of Nevada – Reno, and I have hours of Nevada Registry training.

2’s Lead Teacher

Peta Porotesano

My name is Peta Porotesano, and I am the lead teacher for the Funky Frogs Two-year-old classroom for this school year. I have joined Shenker Academy after 5 years leading a classroom at the 9th Bridge School in Las Vegas and after a few years of ECE experienec in the State of Hawaii. I hold a CDA in Toddler Education from the University of Nevada Reno, and I am excited to continue and share my knowledge and experience with my students, team, and parents.

2’s Lead Teacher

Tiffany Wilson

Hi, my name is Mrs. Tiffany Wilson and I am proud to be in the Early Childhood Education field for over 7 years now. I have years of experience as a lead teacher in various Los Angeles, California Preschools. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, as well as Nevada Registry training courses. My educational philosophy embraces hands-on activities with an emphasis on science experiments, and our ROZZY STEAM is certainly supporting that!

18 Month Lead Teacher

Samantha Panoy

Hello, I’m Samantha Panoy, and I am the lead teacher for the Little Sailors- 18M children. I hold a CDA in Early Childhood – Toddler from the University of Nevada-Reno, and I have worked as a preschool assistant and lead teacher at Shenker Academy for the past 4 years. I love working with 18-month-old children since they are in the“discovery” phase of their school. My approach is to encircle the subject with all the different areas of learning. We touch, see, hear, smell, and sometimes taste everything about it. Above all, I encourage exploration, imagination, curiosity, creativity, problem-solving skills, and thinking outside the box.

18 Month Lead Teacher

Diblaim Hernandez

My name is Ms. Diblaim H., and I am excited to be the 18M lead teacher. I am glad to see the children’s abilities grow with the curriculum planned for the school year. I am experienced with early childhood education, and after working at the Academy for 3 years aas a Teacher Assitant in the 2’s program, I assumed the role of a Lead in the Busy Bees classroom. My educational philosophy is that educators are here for helping each child individually reach their milestones and develop into their own person through exploration, and hand on activities. I am focusing on routines and centers, and I am honored to share my expeirence and creativity with the children in my classroom.

12M Room Lead Teacher

Jaime DeLeon

My name is Jaime DeLeon, and I am the lead teacher in the 12M program. Working with many of my students in the Infant Room, I feel fortunate to continue and engage the young ones in education, through play, read, music, arts, and more.

Infant Room Lead Teacher

Debora E. Deutch

Hello! My name is Debora Estenos-Deutch and I am the Infant room lead teacher. My team and I are happy to greet each baby every day and care for each one of our babies throughout the day. Communication with parents is a key at this age, and we are available all through the day, to report to you about the happenings at all times.

Enrichment Specialist

Genesis Rangel

My name is Ms. Genesis Rangel, and I am the enrichment specialist for Pre-Kindergarten and kindergarten grades. After leading position for the past 5 years, and after completeing my CDA and my BA in ECE, I am glad to assume this important role at Shenker Academy. I will work individually with over 100 students to enhance their reading and reading comprehension and to advance students per their needs and their progress. I work collaboratively with 5 lead teachers to meet the growing different needs of our students.

Executive Assistant

Michelle Vargas

My name is Ms. Michelle and after 6 years at Shenker Academy I am glad to help with all the immediate needs of parents, students and teachers. I will be at the front desk, helping you with any questions you have (from last minute lunch order to communication between home and classroom teams and more). Please feel free to call me or email me at any time during the day and after hours.

Reading Specialist

Sara Tobin

My name is Sarah Tobin, and I am the reading specialist for the 3’s and the 2’s students. I am working with over 80 students, primarily one on one, to meet their reading needs per their progress. The lead teachers in those grades and myself determine the remediation and the acceleration needs and we move forward with enrichment and support that are caterd to each different learner.

Pre-K Floater

Shaylyn Mandado

My name is

Sign Language Teacher

Shannon Osborne

My name is Shannon Osborne, and I began conversing with her son, Elijah, when he was still crawling. That was 15 years ago. Now, I teach other parents and children how to communicate with their child through sign language. I am a language specialist in my training, and I am the owner of Wee Can Sign. I teach the signs most pertinent to children’s lives, from “mom and dad,” to “please and thank you” to stories, songs, and more.

Music Teacher

Andreas Haas

My name is Mr. Andreas Haas, and I am an assitant teacher in the Kindergarten classroom as well as the music teacher at Shenker Academy. I hold a B.A. with majoring in musi and Fridays are my week anticipated music days at Shenker Academy, and I love bringing new music trends to the children through percussion instruments. I will use different instruments each Friday and work on various rhythm enhanced with our percussions.

Hebrew Teacher

Sharon Beeman

My name is Sharon Beeman, and I am the Hebrew instructor at Shenker Academy. I love to use colorful props, games, songs, and more when teaching the Hebrew language, word at a time, in a fun and enriching sessions.

Spanish Teacher

Abu Bengoechea

My name is Abu (Adriana), and I teach Spanish through songs, dance, and games. From “Good Morning – How Are You?” to colors, shapes, days of the week and more, the children love learning Spanish at all ages.

Assistant Teachers & Additional Staff

Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Cristina M.

Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Andreas H.

4's Assistant Teacher

Jocelyn Quiocho

4's Assistant Teacher

Darielle R.

4's Assistant Teacher

Brittney Ganir

4's Assistant Teacher

Loubna Zahri

4's Assistant Teacher

Amanda Silva

3's Assistant Teacher

Wendy Rangel

3's Assistant Teacher

Cynthia Prawki

3's Assistant Teacher

Jerrie Ortiz

3's Assistant Teacher

Genesis G. Sahagun

3's Assistant Teacher

2's Assistant Teacher

Kim Rojas

2's Assistant Teacher

DiBlaim Hernandez

18M Assistant Teacher

Dynnalie N.

18M Assistant Teacher

Camila D.S.

18M Assistant Teacher

Kaitlyne Grace D.

18M Assistnat Teacher

Janahlane Colmenar

2's Assistant Teacher

Cat Catanatan

18M Assistant Teacher

Lori B. Washburn

18M Teacher

Waiming Denduangrudee

12M Assistant Teacher

Anabelle Zaragoza

12M Assistant Teacher

Bridgette Sanchez

12M Assistant Teacher

Floren S.

12M Assistant Teacher

Support/Admin

Emily Thomas

Support Teacher

Pam Vargas

18M Assistant Teacher

Nicole S.

Maintenance Director

Jose Escobar

Chef

Chef Hector

Faculty & Staff

Our teachers and assistants have a CDA, AA, BS, BA, or MA degrees in the Early Childhood Field or a related field. Shenker Academy hires professional faculty members who are dedicated to the school mission and passionate about early childhood education and about their personal growth.

We are certified by the State of Nevada Preschool Licensing Department, Nevada Department of Education, SNHD, Office of State Fire Marshal, Department of Building & Safety, OSHA, and accredited by the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC).