Amanda Kurta

This will be Amanda's first year at Gan Shalom. She is working as the Lead teacher in the Preschool room, we are very excited to have her join us. She has many ideas to bring to the room and we are looking forward to a wonderful year.

Favorite Children’s book: Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak and A Bad Case Of Stripes by David Shannon

Favorite food: Eggplant Parmesan and Haluski  

Tell us a little about your background:

I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Go Pens/Steelers/Buccos!) and am very excited to now be living in Lexington! I am a 2007 graduate of Bethany College (WV) where I received my BA in Elementary Education. For the past year I have been teaching Pre-K at the Jewish Community Center in Pittsburgh and tutoring children of all ages at Sylvan Learning Center.

What do you do in your free time and for fun?

Enjoying the outdoors... riding my bike and jogging. I also do yoga and spend alot of time with my fiance Chris and friends.

What would you like others to know about the kids at Gan Shalom?

The children are so sweet and welcoming to newcomers! At my interview, I was given the opportunity to observe the Preschool classroom. I walked into the room and within minutes I had all the kids around me, curious to know who I was and how long I could stay and play. They made me feel appreciated and comfortable from the start and I knew then that I would love working with them!