Phoebe Potts, Sylvia Cohen Religious School Director
Phoebe has taught at our school since 2004. She conceived the visual Midrash program, the religious school's signature program of Torah study that helps children engage with the text in creative ways, allowing them to find meaning using their own words and images. She has a BA in History from Smith and a MFA from the Maine College of Art and has taught at many schools before coming to TAA. In June of 2017, Phoebe completed Cohort 7 of the Mandel Teacher Educator Institute (MTEI), a 2 year program for professional development leaders in Jewish education settings. She is a published author and working artist.
Phoebe's Jewish journey began in the shtetl of Park Slope, Brooklyn, where "you felt bad for the kid who WASN'T Jewish." When her family moved to Martha's Vineyard, a then middle-school aged Phoebe discovered that being Jewish required active participation. She demanded a Bat Mitzvah in the bite-sized island synagogue, and a rabbi was brought in on the ferry boat each week to prepare her. Phoebe lives in Gloucester with her husband, the artist Jeffrey Marshall, and their son Lemi Moses.
Alexandra Marques and her young family recently moved to Cape Ann from the Dallas area back in December. She joins the SCRS family with 12 years of teaching experience, a Master's degree in teaching from Brandeis University, and a Bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in Jewish studies from the University of Texas. She is passionate about teaching, and is excited to be a part of the TAA community.
I am Elizabeth, one of the teachers here at TAA. I am currently finishing my masters in Elementary Education; I graduate in May! I have 10 years of varied experience working with children mostly preschool, elementary, and now students with disabilities at my current job. When I worked at the YMCA when it was across the street I used to volunteer to help out during high holidays. I was drawn to TAA because I was immediately welcomed and felt like I was a part of this tight knit community. When I am not teaching, you can find me cheering on our Boston sports teams, reading, going to the beach, and spending time with my family.