1. Deborah L. Kaplan
4645 NE 42nd
Avenue Portland, Oregon 97218
503.484.8550/ kaplan@lclark.edu
Objective
Director of Early Childhood Education
Curriculum Specialist
Education & Certifications
JECELI - Jewish Early Childhood Education Leadership Institute July 2014
HUC & JTS New York, NY Administrative Masters in Jewish Early Childhood Education
Lewis & Clark College, Masters of Arts in Teaching – MAT program June 2007
Oregon Initial Teaching License, Early Childhood and Elementary Authorization Levels
Portland State University, Bachelor of Arts English Literature June 2005
Santa Monica College, Early Childhood Education Degree May 1995
Adult Infant and Child CPR certification 1995 - current
NAEYC Member since 1993
Related Experience
Congregation Beth Israel - Portland, Oregon August 2002 – Current
Early Childhood Education Director, Beth Israel Preschool August 2012 – Current
• Created and implemented the vision of Beth Israel Preschool.
• Responsible for bringing in new families to the preschool through marketing,
tours, family programming and networking.
• Oversee all preschool operations.
• Member of the Senior Staff.
• Increased preschool enrollments by 20% in 2013-2014.
• Create and maintain Preschool budget.
• Responsible for monthly payroll and preschool tuition billing.
• Lead professional development workshops for faculty.
• Hired all new teaching staff in 2012.
• Lead highly attended monthly themed ECE Family Engagement Programs for
religious school families and local Jewish community members.
• Developed and maintain, along with faculty and families, the Beth Israel
Preschool Community Garden.
• Responsible for fundraising, donations and decorations for the annual “Barn
Dance” Education fundraiser.
• Facilitated initial Oregon State Accreditation and regulatory compliance.
• CBI Ed & Youth Committee member since 2012.
• Conceptualize and oversee Camp Omanoot – Beth Israel Preschool’s Arts and
adventure Summer Camp.
Pre K Lead/Curriculum Specialist, January 2009 – June 2011
• Collaborated with teachers on curriculum development, monthly calendars,
classroom management strategies, parent/teacher communication and staff
development.
• Conducted workshops on Reggio Emelia Approach, 'Teaching with Love and
Logic,’ classroom management techniques, positive behavior plans and student
assessment.

2. • Collaborated with/assisted Director of Education on specific projects including
school certification, a marketing program, enrollment, school tours, school
brochure and communication with parents.
Deborah L. Kaplan
• Developed Pre K curriculum based on Best Practices and NAEYC guidelines that
support Kindergarten readiness.
• Children gain independence and take ownership of their learning through
monthly thematic-based units and daily investigative activities.
• Daily schedule includes child centered play, art, science, math, writing stories,
journaling, movement, music and investigation of monthly theme.
• Assessment of each student’s progress conducted and recorded through
photography, journaling, story retelling and parent teacher conferences.
Religious School Kindergarten/Midrasha Teacher, August 2002 – May 2012
• Kindergarten classes include discovering Jewish identity based on emergent
curriculum through music, science, art, movement, literature, puppetry, and
weekly holiday themes.
• Exploring with 7th
and 8th
Graders the history of Judaism with focus on Jewish
ideology, Global Justice, voices of Jewish Women in America and making
connection with other Jewish children around the world.
Institute for Advanced Psychology (Nonprofit Organization) - Portland, Oregon
Educational Project Manager, January 2007 - Current
• Lead author in development of Owl Pals Character Education Curriculum, focusing on
social skills and coping strategies - General and Special Education.
• Responsible for collaborative research, writing and management of the program while
working closely with teachers and Executive Director.
• Created supplemental materials.
• Assisted in fundraising and soliciting schools to pilot the program.
Kehillat Israel Early Childhood Center - Pacific Palisades, California
Team Teacher, September 1995 – September 1997
• Team teacher in classroom of 25 children ages 3 ½ to 4 years.
• Responsible for morning and closing circle times.
• Planned and implemented multicultural, non-biased curriculum that created positive
learning experience with focus on whole child.
• Offered children opportunity to participate in activities designed to promote social,
physical and intellectual growth.
Introduction to the Arts Preschool - Beverly Hills, California
Team Teacher, December 1993 – June 1995
• Developed centers around classroom based on emergent curriculum, to promote
learning, encourage exploration and foster creativity.
• Responsible for planning and instructing all art and science activities for two classrooms.
• Conducted morning circle time, three times a week.
• Team teacher in classroom of 34 students including 5 cognitively challenged children.
City of Los Angeles Parks and Recreation - Pacific Palisades, California
Nutrition and Cooking Instructor, September 1992 – December 1994
• Instructed 10 children about importance of nutrition and positive eating habits.
• Prepared nutritionally responsible foods and taught measurement techniques.

3. Deborah L. Kaplan
Volunteer work
Mentor: Lincoln High School (Girlpower - Empowering Teen Girls) 2001 – 2003
Internship and Practicum
First & Second Grade blend, West Tualatin Elementary, Portland, Oregon
• Designed and implemented literature curriculum based on the theme of Gratitude.
• Used strategy instruction to improve writing skills. Based on the elements of a story
(theme, setting, character, beginning, middle and end) students developed a story,
took it through the editing process and published a written piece.
• Adapted a science curriculum and investigated North American insects. First graders
researched butterflies while second graders researched beetles.
• Instructed 23 students across different content areas in class that included four ELL
students.
• Trained on-site for first grade ASD student. Learned new strategies to help him
become successful in classroom: behavior tracking system, phrasing, written daily
schedule and material support.
Fourth Grade, Witchazel Elementary Migrant program
• Conducted guided reading groups with English Language Learners, using GLAD
techniques.
• Taught math skills and concepts using manipulatives in small groups
Computer Skills
• Software (IBM and MAC): competent with all Microsoft and Adobe products.
• Proficient and extensive use of Internet.
Hobbies
• Spending time with my family, trail running, gardening, camping, roller skating,
vegetarian and gourmet cooking, gardening, yoga, reading, singing Jazz songs and
learning to play the acoustic guitar.
• Fluent in Spanish, conversational Italian and Hebrew.
References available upon request