Aleph Academy
where arts and academics meet
STAFF
Administration
Sarah Cunin
Sarah is the founder and Organizational Director of Aleph Academy with extensive experience in early childhood education. She has undergrad degrees in Behavioral Sciences, Human Services and Judaic Studies, a Masters of Education and was a JECEI/Covenant Fellow in conjunction with Bank Street College and Harvard University. She is passionate about positive parenting and innovative, quality education for young children.
Alisha Churchfield
Alisha is the Program Director at Aleph Academy. She has a Behavior's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Behavior Analysis. She has worked directly with young children, in various settings, for over 10 years. Alisha also serves as our on-site Pyramid Model coach and helps teachers and families address challenging behaviors with a positive team-based approach.
Rishonim
Bella is the Assistant Director at Aleph Academy. She has an associates degree in Human Development and Family Studies and is currently working on her Bachelor's Degree. She was nomiated and selected as a finalist in the Early Childhood Educator of the Year Award for our State. All children benefit from her calm demeanor and her patience is apparent in all that she does. We are lucky to have her here at Aleph Academy.
Bella Cryder
"First Ones"
Laura Sullins
Laura is the Food & Facilities Coordinator at Aleph Academy. She has a degree in English Literature for teaching High School but since then her passion has been early childhood education. Being a mother of three children, she understands that the foundation for education begins with a quality early learning environment.
Ketantanim
Gan
Ms. Emily has worked with young children for the past five years as a camp counselor and nanny. Since starting her career at Aleph, Ms. Emily pursued and obtained her Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate's Credential. Ms. Emily's care and attention makes every child at Aleph feel at home. When Ms. Emily isn't taking care of little ones she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and son.
Ms. Emily C
Zoe grew up in the East Bay Area and has been babysitting and/or nannying since she was 12 years old. She graduated from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo in 2018 with a major in Sport Management and a minor in Integrated Marketing Communications. Post college, she got a job working for the Los Angeles Chargers. Although she absolutely loves sports, her biggest passion is working with kids so she decided to go back to get her degree in Early Childhood Education. In her spare time, she loves being outside and active, and hanging out with her husband, daughter and puppy.
Ms. Zoe
"Little Ones"
Gan
"Garden"
Ms. Amanda
Ms. Deana
Ms. Ana
Gan
Ms. Jane
Ms. Amanda has been in childcare for the past 5 years. Since 2020, she's worked on and off between preschool age children and toddlers. The past couple years she spent most of her time with toddler-age. Ms.Amanda got into education with my first job as a teachers aide at Sunday school at her temple in San Jose. Her favorite parts about being a teacher are witnessing children’s scientific discoveries and facilitating process art projects. She likes this age because there are so many discoveries to be made each day and seeing the children grow so fast is very rewarding. She recently moved to Reno in June, which is when she started here at Aleph in her first lead teacher position!
Gimmel
Ms. Jenni
Ms. Sara
"Three"
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Ms. Sara graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in May of 2025 with a bachelor’s of science in Human Development and Family Science. She plans on furthering her education and will return to UNR to get her master’s in Elementary Education with the goal of becoming a fourth grade teacher!
Ms. Jenni's passion for teaching ignited in high school when she took her first psychology class and enrolled in an occupational program for careers with children. She continued her education by taking Early Childhood Education courses in college. Ms.Jenni considers herself a lifelong student and has a deep passion for Reggio Emilia philosophy, differential teaching methods, and Judaism.
Teva
Ms. Myah
Gesher
Ms. Myah has been working with preschool-aged children for the past 5 years. She was born and raised in Nevada, and loves to hike and read in her spare time. Ms. Myah's care for every child is apparent every day at Aleph.
Ms. Anne
Ms. Anne started her career in the field of Archaeology and Geology, but soon found a calling in education. With 20+ years of experience, a master's degree in ECE, and her role as school Pedagogista, she shares her wealth of knowledge with staff and students at Aleph. She is a National Geographic Certified Educator and a lifelong learner, even taking part in a Reggio study tour in Italy. Ms. Anne is also a Nevada Registry approved trainer and provides on-site staff trainings for our Aleph team. Most recently, Ms. Anne was selected to be the Director of Early Childhood-Elementary Science Teaching for the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA).
"Nature"
"Bridge"
After moving from Israel with her family, Morah Maayan began at Aleph as a classroom parent volunteer before becoming one of our Judaics teachers. She has now joined Gesher as the Assistant Teacher! Morah Maayan incorporates her Jewish heritage, Israeli culture, and M.A. in Art Therapy to provide the children with a wonderful experience that incorporates the Jewish culture into the classroom setting. In her free time, Morah Maayan loves to do arts and crafts and go on walks.
Morah Maayan
Judaics
Morah Hella
Morah Hella has been a beloved member of Aleph Academy for the past 10 years. As the Judaic teacher for our toddler classes, Morah Hella incorporates her Jewish heritage, Israeli culture, and loving nature to provide the children with a wonderful Judaic and school experience. The relationships she builds with each student and their families last throughout the years.
Kitchen
Lisa Alameda
Chef Lisa went to culinary school at Truckee Meadows Community College, engaged in intensive self-study, and traveled to Italy to master Tuscan cooking. Lisa has a passion for fresh, whole foods and can often be found in the garden. She is Health and Food Safety certified and brings a wealth of knowledge to our school, along with amazingly delicious and healthy meals.
Kelli
Support Staff
Ms. Angel
Cleaning Support Staff
Blanca
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Ms. Alex
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