Our Staff
about Cutler
Our programs
Administration
ms. kristin Devers – Cutler Jewish Day School Principal
Ms. Kristin joined the CJDS family in 2019. She has 14 years of educational experience including serving as a classroom teacher and the past nine years as an administrator. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and Master in the Art of Teaching with a focus in Science from LaGrange College. In addition, she earned her Educational Specialist Degree in Principalship and Leadership from Arkansas State University.
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Ms. Kristin holds a Professional Teaching Certificate from the state of South Carolina indicating she is highly qualified in Middle Level Science, Science, and certified as Secondary Principal with a Gifted and Talented Endorsement. She is also a National Board Certified Teacher in the area of Early Adolescence Science. Ms. Kristin began her educational career teaching sophomore biology in Auburn, Alabama. After moving to South Carolina, she began teaching at Longleaf Middle School in Richland School District Two where she taught 7th grade science, served as a grade level team leader and head of the science department. For the past nine years, Ms. Kristin led the School of Zoological and Botanical Studies (ZooBot) housed at Longleaf Middle School. She was named the Magnet Schools of America Teacher of the Year Representative for Richland School District Two for 2018-2019, Richland County Soil and Water Conservation District State Teacher of the Year in 2017, and Teacher of the Year for Longleaf Middle School for 2015-2016. She has been trained and certified in Learning Centered Schools, Differentiated Instruction, Understanding By Design, Project Wild, and Project Wet. Kristin has also been trained as a project-based learning coach by the Buck Learning Institute. Ms. Krisitn has presented at numerous conferences at both the state and national level including South Carolina Middle School Association, Association for Constructivist Teaching, and Magnet Schools of America. When asked why she chose CJDS, Ms. Kristin replied, “Six years ago I chose CJDS for my daughter because it felt like home. I have never forgotten that feeling. You can feel the love as soon as you step inside the doors of this school. I am thankful to call CJDS my home now. It is truly a special place.”

Ms. Billie green smith – Preschool Director (
Ms. Billie began her career at CJDS in 2006, bringing with her over 30 years of experience in the field of education and family services. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois and her Master in the Art of teaching with an endorsement for Teacher Leadership and Coaching at Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois.
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Ms. Billie began her career at CJDS in 2006, bringing with her over 30 years of experience in the field of education and family services. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois and her Master in the Art of teaching with an endorsement for Teacher Leadership and Coaching at Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois. She also studied at Erikson Institute in Chicago, completing coursework related to early childhood development, program administration and program advocacy. Ms. Billie has directed several large child care programs in Chicago and worked as a training coordinator for the University of Maryland School of Nursing. She initially began substituting at CJDS after retiring from the South Carolina Department of Social Services. When Ms. Billie was asked why she chose CJDS, she responded, “My 19 year old grandson attended CJDS from kindergarten to 3rd grade; during this time I fell in love with the mission and approach to learning that the Day School offers. As a substitute, I was able to see the continuity of learning from birth to fifth grade. As I joined the team as a teacher, I was able to help engage children in learning experiences and support their overall development.”

“A social-justice-oriented, child-centered school with an emphasis on outdoor play, autonomous creativity, community building, and emotional intelligence. My daughter has been attending this school since she was one year old (currently a kindergartener), and we are constantly amazed by the skills she learns there and with how much the administrators, teachers, and caregivers value and respond to each child.”
Infant – Four-Year–Old Classes
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Infant Class – Hebrew Name – T’Nokeya: Young Child

Ms. Shemaine Thornton came to CJDS in 2019. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Columbia College with additional graduate work in History from the University of South Carolina. She holds a Professional teaching certificate from the state of South Carolina in Elementary Education. Ms. Shermaine spent the majority of her career in education teaching Science and Social Studies. She has been trained in Nature-Based Inquiry (NBI) and participated in a 3 years grant, Teaching American History. Additionally, In addition, Ms. Shermaine taught Elements of Art this past summer. When asked why she chose the Cutler Jewish Day School, Ms. Shermain responded, “ I love the caring and compassionate environment at CJDS.”
Older Infants + Toddlers – Hebrew Name – Zereh: Seeds
Ms. Aubrey Lampi joined the CJDS family in 2017. She graduated in 2017 from Midlands Technical College with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Aubrey completed her internship and student teaching at Living Springs Preschool in Columbia, South Carolina. In addition, she is a teacher at the Creativity Fit and Fun Camp housed at CJDS during the summer. Ms. Aubrey has completed the Program for Infant and Toddler Caregiving and Early Childhood Development 101. In addition, she has completed 15 hours of staff training inservice annually for the past three years. When asked why she chose the Cutler Jewish Day School, Aubrey responded, “I absolutely loved how welcoming and diverse this school was from the moment I first walked through the door. The families I get the pleasure of getting to know every year and of course the amazing kids I get to watch grow are the most rewarding parts of my job! I can’t imagine being anywhere else but CJDS.”
Ms. Lisa Aiken joined the CJDS family in March 2019. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of South Carolina. She has a wealth of experience as she has been caring for children for many years. Ms. Lisa serves as a teacher assistant in several of the preschool classrooms during the day. She also teaches during our aftercare program Ms. Lisa is also a teacher at the Creative Fit and Fun Camp housed at the Cutler Jewish Day School during the summer. When Ms. Lisa was asked why she chose the Cutler Jewish Day School, she answered, “I get to interact with many different children during the day and the leadership at CJDS is exceptional.”
One-Year-Old Class – Hebrew Name – Shoresh: Roots
Ms. Stephanie Boutte joined the CJDS family in 2020 after previously serving as a 3-year-old teacher at Trenholm Road United Methodist Church. She also has experience working with children with special needs. Ms. Stephanie is currently finishing her bachelor’s degree in Special Education at South Carolina State University. When Ms. Stephanie was asked why she chose the Cutler Jewish Day School, she replied, “I chose to work at CJDS in order to grow with these future leaders in many ways. I look forward to spreading knowledge and teaching respect for others and nature. Everyone should realize that we are all the same as humans yet we all have different purposes. CJDS is a wonderful place that uses a wonderful self-driven curriculum.”
Two-Year-Old Class – Hebrew Name – Giv’all: Stems
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Three-Year-Old Class – Hebrew Name – Alva: Leaves
Ms. Sierra Briggs is originally from Sumter, South Carolina. She joined the CJDS family in 2020 after graduating Cum Laude from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Leadership Studies. Ms. Sierra completed her internship at CJDS and served as the three-year-old aftercare teacher. She is currently pursuing a graduate degree in speech pathology. When Ms. Sierra was asked why she chose CJDS, she responded that she absolutely loves how much the school values hands-on learning. At CJDS, she is able to offer so many opportunities for students to learn about the wonderful communities within our school as well as a deep appreciation for the communities around us.
Three-Year-Old Class Hebrew Name – Perech: Blossom
PreK/K Class Hebrew Name – Peirot: Fruit
Four-Year-Old Class – Hebrew Name – Nevet: Sprouts
Four-Year-Old Class Hebrew Name – Tzemach: Plants
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Preschool – 5th Grade Classes
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Preschool Torah Teachers
Morah Devorah and Morah Sarit will again be working with the children in the areas of Judaism and Hebrew.
Kindergarten
First Grade
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Second Grade
Multiage First/Second
Third Grade
Fourth Grade
Fifth Grade
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“Student centered learning through inquiry and projects, focus on nurturing and embracing individual needs of each child, teaching them to be kind and helpful. a wonderful place to learn and grow.”
Hebrew & Torah Teachers
Hebrew
Torah
HaMorah Pesha started at CJDS in 2016. She graduated from Teaching Seminary Chaya Mushka of Tzfat Israel. She completed a teaching internship in Helsinki Finland in 2011. Morah Pesha was a teaching assistant at Cheder Chabad of Thornhill in Ontario, Canada. She also served as a teacher at Preschool of the Arts at Chabad of York Mills in Toronto and DUMBO Preschool in Brooklyn, New York. In addition, Morah Pesha was the Co-director of Teen and Young Adult Programming of Chabad of Greater Dayton and the Director of Camp Leah Rivkah, which specializes in informal Jewish education. When asked why she chose the Cutler Jewish Day School, Morah Pesha replied, “CJDS gives unconditional love to every child that walks through the doors and strives to bring out the full potential of every student. It is a great honor to teach at CJDS!”




Extra Curriculars
Art




The Caring Team
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Ms. Sinkler
Ms. Linda
Ms. Lisa Aiken
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Regular Substitutes


University of South Carolina Students
University of South Carolina Students that will help care for children in the late afternoon include Kendrell Parker, Craig Madison, Karlie Cotney, and Rose Wallace.
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