Preschool Staff

We are proud to have an extraordinary team of educators who recognize each child as an individual and love them deeply. Our teachers are continuously growing their practice with yearly professional development hours and they embrace their partnership with your family. They make regular posts to Remini, our communication app, including photos and explanations of what you are seeing and the intentional and educational value of the activities.

Director of Early Childhood Education

Sheila Purdin

Sheila Purdin began her career in early education thirty years ago in her native Seattle, WA. She is currently the Director of Early Childhood Education at Temple Sinai in Denver, CO, an adjunct professor at American Jewish University, and co-author of What is Jewish About Loose Parts. She was a past member of the Efshar Project board and, during her twenty years in Atlanta, served on the Jewish Early Childhood Council of Atlanta (as co-chair and Kallah planning chair) and the PJ Library Atlanta board. She participated in the URJ Pursuing Excellence in Your Early Childhood Center Community of Practice and is a Simms/Mann Institute The First 36 Project Fellow. Sheila has been a member of Early Childhood Educators of Reform Judaism since 2008 and served as their VP of Marketing. She lives in Denver with her husband, Mark, her hamster, Moose, and has two adult children and a grandson who are pretty fantastic.

shei la@sinaidenver.org

Preschool Assistant Director

Rachel Cram

Rachel Cram began her career in early education with Americorps in an infant classroom with Early Head Start in 2004. It was there she found her calling. Rachel then spent over a decade with the Denver JCC, serving as an educator, Early Childhood Coordinator, Assistant Director, and Director. During that time Rachel was selected to participate in the Jewish Early Childhood Education Leadership Institute (JECELI), a highly competitive national program training exemplary leaders. Rachel then led a privately owned school in downtown Denver, The Wonder Academy, through the pandemic, creating a safe space for children and educators to thrive. Rachel then joined the administrative team at Temple Sinai Preschool and described it, “like coming home.” She has a deep love for the Jewish community and their investment in quality early childhood education. When Rachel is not at work, you can find her supporting her two daughters’ school, basketball and/or gymnastics endeavors. Rachel enjoys time with friends, a good concert, a day in the mountains and traveling to new places!

rachelc@sinaidenver.org