Our Leadership Team
Seth Lewis Levin
Director of Education
Kalish Education Chair
Seth Lewis Levin is the Director of Education at Temple Judea in Coral Gables, FL. He supports his staff in fostering curiosity and engagement among Jewish learners of all ages. Seth brings a wealth of experience in teaching and educational leadership from various institutions across the country, including congregations, camps, public and charter schools. Previously, he served as the Director of School Leadership at Bezos Academy, a network of tuition-free preschools in underserved communities. Seth began his career as a community organizer before becoming a social studies teacher in New York City's Department of Education.
Seth holds multiple degrees, including a Masters in Teaching Social Studies from New York University, a Masters in Public Administration in School Leadership from Baruch College, a Masters in Library and Information Science from Long Island University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in European History and French Studies from Wesleyan University. He is a certified educator in several states and has taught and led educators at various levels.
Outside of his professional life, Seth has served on the boards of Congregational and Community organizations, Parent Teacher Association Executive Committees and coached his children’s baseball and soccer teams. He is an unapologetic “book worm,” collector of Jewish texts, photographs and recipes and has also recently become a committed student of Mussar. He lives with his wife Kami, their children Sydney, Elijah and Ava, their dog Abigail Adams and cat Fifi on Key Biscayne.
Jackie Vera
Early Childhood Director
Jackie Vera began her journey at the Margaux School in 2007 shortly after graduating high school. While pursuing her bachelor's degree in recreational therapy, she ventured beyond the education field, exploring various opportunities. However, it was at Temple Judea where Jackie discovered her true passion and decided to establish her roots and nurture her professional growth.
After graduating college, a profound love for education blossomed within her, prompting her to pursue a master's degree in early childhood education. Throughout her time at the Margaux School, she has continuously evolved, assuming different roles in her quest for professional development. Over the course of a decade, she has been fortunate enough to be a part of this welcoming community.
Today, as the Margaux School’s Early Childhood Director, Jackie has achieved her ultimate career goal. This achievement fills her with immense gratitude for the opportunity to contribute and lead within this exceptional institution and community.
Jackie lives in West Miami with her husband Danny and their mini schnauzer, Louie. Jackie and Danny were married by Rabbi Jonathan Fisch in 2021. Jackie is the ultimate foodie who enjoys trying out all the best spots in Miami. She loves to spend time with her family and taking short trips to the Keys.
Yuliette Gonzalez
Pedagogista
Yuliette Gonzalez, a mother of two young boys and an early childhood educator, is passionate about creating and supporting a safe and intentional environment that helps to create and foster learning explorations which support children in creating wonderful relationships and helps them in making meaning of the world around them.
Miss Yuliette has been a part of the Margaux School at Temple Judea since 2006. As the Mentor Teacher, Miss Yuliette is energized when she works alongside her colleagues to coach and support them in making learning visible, creating learning environments that foster a love for learning, and designing intentional experiences that deepen and ignite children’s curiosity. She has a passion for illuminating teacher's love for learning! As the Jewish Resource Specialist, Miss Yuliette engages educators, children, and families with intentional and meaningful learning experiences that nurture and illuminate Judaic learning that is seamlessly woven into their daily learning adventures. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and then pursued her Master’s in Early Childhood Education and considers herself a forever learner.
Miss Yuliette loves going on adventures with her young sons and navigating the world and first time moments that life offers alongside her husband, Laz. Her mom and dad are a source of inspiration and has loves to prank her siblings in the most silly ways. She loves using photography as a way to document, enjoys rewatching Ted Lasso, reading all of Mary Oliver’s poems, and learning about the world through the perspectives of children!
Get To Know Us
Our school building, the Frank Family Education Center, was unveiled in 2016 and will be a house of learning shared for generations.
The center is the perfect environment to honor our spiritual selves, celebrate learning and set the stage for a fulfilling life. Classrooms and outdoor spaces enhance children’s natural curiosity and foster exploration and discovery.
- Classrooms are designed to support children’s natural curiosities and competencies
- Spaces enable extended projects and explorations
- Outdoor environments built for physical, social-emotional, intellectual, and spiritual development
- Built with the most up to date storm code requirements.
Our Mission
- Encourage parents’ involvement in the school
- Assist in building a community at our school
- Support the school with additional funding used for projects and activities that make our school environment the very best for our children
Our Teachers
Teachers are the links that connect children to the world of school and to the experiences of Jewish living. Our teachers are positive, enthusiastic, lifelong learners who always bring something new to the classroom.
They are a child’s learning guide.
Our teachers are chosen for their love and understanding of children, their ability to be joyful and their willingness to continue their own professional education. All staff undergo criminal screenings and background checks before being hired. All teachers complete state-mandated childcare training classes and are committed to furthering their education and professional development throughout their employment.
Through their guidance and loving care, you and your child will experience this exciting learning journey together.
Adriana Goad
Adriana Goad was born and raised in Miami, Florida. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism and Sociology from the University of Miami. Throughout the years she has had the opportunity to spend time with children while tutoring which sparked her passion for teaching. After becoming a parent she immersed herself into early learning practices and decided she wanted to be a part of the early learning childhood community and make a difference. She joined the Margaux School family summer of 2018 and is very excited to continue this wonderful journey.
Anna Karell
ANNA KARELL was born in Peru, where she earned an associate’s degree in Psychology at Ricardo Palma University. She has taken several courses at Miami-Dade College toward her Child Development Associate certification. Anna has been part of the Temple Judea family since 1998. During that time she has taught all ages of preschoolers.
Danielle Steingold
Dani Steingold was born and raised in Miami and is passionate about her family and friends. She received a Bachelors degree in Art from FIU in 2018 and loves to express herself creatively. Dani is looking forward to expanding her knowledge of early childhood teaching here at the Margaux School. Her interests and passions include rock climbing, veganism and dancing.
Francoise Elie
Françoise Elie was born and raised in Haiti, always passionate and mesmerized by the children's surprising minds. She graduated in Early Childhood Education in 1980. She taught in different schools in Florida and Haiti. She joined the Margaux School February 2022 and feels so lucky to have joined the family.
Irma Dresner
IRMA DRESNER was born and raised in Mexico, where she received her Bachelor’s in Primary Education. She taught early childhood and elementary school for 10 years before moving to the U.S. Since then she’s taught in Miami Jewish congregations for more than 20 years. She began teaching at Temple Judea in 2009. She loves playing, singing, dancing, special projects and doing arts and crafts with her students.
Jessica Acle
JESSICA ACLE was born and raised in South Miami, Florida. In 2008, she graduated from New World School of the Arts Conservatory receiving a UF Bachelors degree in Opera Performance. She became a certified Music Together teacher in 2014, which developed her passion for teaching young children. Since then, she has studied Early Childhood Education at Miami Dade College as well as pursuing a career in childhood development. She joined the Margaux School family during summer camp of 2020 and is excited to be here. Her hobbies include singing, cooking, beading and jewelry making, and games nights with her family and friends.
Jill Simon
JILL SIMON was born & raised in Miami, Florida. She is a Temple Judea Preschool alumni and loves being a part of this community! Her daughter, Jane now joins us at The Margaux School as well. Jill graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelors of Arts in 2013. She then decided to pursue her passion for early childhood care and received a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Teaching while studying abroad in New Zealand. She has a passion for learning and avidly extending her knowledge of Reggio Emilia philosophy. Some of her favorite things are going to the beach, drinking coffee, and creative writing.
Aiqin liu
AIQIN LIU was born and raised in China. She finished her Accounting Computerization degree in Dongbei University of Finance and Economics in Dalian, China before moving abroad. Since then she has lived in many countries, including Singapore, Italy, UK and Greece, before moving to Miami in 2012 with her husband and daughter. She enjoys exploring different countries and learning about their differing cultures. Even from when she was very young, she loved being with young children, assisting them learn and grow. Since she became a mother this has become a passion and a career. She has taken Early Childhood Education courses in DCF and Miami Dade College and has been working as a preschool teacher since 2018. She’s super excited to join the wonderful Margaux School team and families. She loves reading, traveling and spending quality time with family and friends.
Lisbeth Di Genaro
LISBETH DI GENARO is an enthusiastic educator who comes to The Margaux School with experience working in early childhood settings throughout Miami. Lisbeth was born in Venezuela and holds an Associate in Arts degree from Miami Dade College. She takes pride in her ability to establish learning environments that foster academic, social, and emotional growth.
Maya Slavin
MAYA SLAVIN was born in Argentina. When she finished high school she lived on a kibbutz in southern Israel. She studied teaching at Key College in Beer Sheva, Israel. She has been part of the Temple Judea family since 2005. Maya became a teacher because she enjoys helping others find success. She is passionate about teaching and loves spending time with children.
Rebecca Rubin
REBECCA RUBIN was born and raised in Miami, Florida. She earned her bachelors degree in psychology from the University of Central Florida. This is her fourthyear as a Margaux School teacher and is so excited to continue her career in early childhood education. She enjoys spending time with her family and catching up on the latest movies. She can’t wait to watch the children grow and learn new things.
Shirley Harari
Shirley Harari was born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia. She graduated from Florida International University receiving a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education with ESOL Endorsement. Her hobbies are gardening, cooking and spinning.
Yohandra Perez Rosales
YOHANDRA ROSALES was born in Cuba and came to the U.S. when she was 5 years old. She grew up in New Jersey and moved to Miami after high school. She attended Miami Dade College, where her passion for early childhood education began. Yohandra has a National Child Development Associate credential. She has been part of Tempe Judea since 2004, and all three of her children graduated from the Margaux School.
Ernestina Pineda
ERNESTINA PINEDA was born and raised in Nicaragua and has been living in Miami for a few years. When she first got the opportunity to work in education, she discovered passion and love within her. Tina holds an associate in the area of medicine, but would love to continue enhancing her understanding in the area of early education. She enjoys helping, sharing, and respecting everyone equally.
Tania Carias
TANIA CARIAS is a mother of 3 beautiful girls. She was born and raised in Honduras and migrated to the states when she was a young adult. Over the years she has studied child development and has also studied cosmetology. Before becoming a teacher at the Margaux School, she used to be a nanny for over 12 years. On her free time she likes to spend time with her daughters and explore around. She also loves to travel with her daughters whenever they get the chance. She is very excited to be a part of the Margaux School community and can’t wait to create great memories!
Vanessa Castro
VANESSA CASTRO was born and raised in Lima, Peru. Before coming to Miami in 2001, she worked as a Travel Agent for 9 years. Prior to working at Temple Judea Vanessa was a Assistant teacher in another school for 5 years in Coral Gables. Since her nieces were born she has always been there for them, family is forever. Vanessa has experience in child care and enjoys working with children helping them to learn and grow with principles, the ones her parents taught her.
She loves playing and interacting with her nieces, going to the beach, and spending time with her family and friends.
Virtual Tour
See a short clip of our school without leaving your chair. Click to view our YouTube Channel.
