Faculty and Staff

Every teacher at Kaplan is an experienced, college-educated Early Childhood Educator with either a BA or an MA in the field. They not only undergo rigorous background checks but are also trained on how to handle difficult situations appropriately; our goal is that all students are happy and thrive at Kaplan.

Rachelle Grossman

Director
[email protected]

©Ana Sancho Rumeu

Rachelle Grossman is the founder and director of the Kaplan Preschool. In 2000 a small group of USH members, Rabbi Scheinberg and teachers worked together with Rachelle to create this special early childhood center.

Rachelle grew up in Jersey City. She has a BA in early childhood education from Rutgers University and an MPA in administration from City University of New York. Prior to working at the Kaplan Preschool, Rachelle worked for 15 years at the Association for the Help of Retarded Children, taught kindergarten in the Orange Public Schools and preschool at Congregation B’nai Israel in Millburn.

Rachelle lived in Hoboken from 1989-1994. She was married at the United Synagogue of Hoboken and now lives in West Orange with her husband, Bob Seelenfreund, a retired public defender. Her two daughters follow in their parents footsteps. Emily is a disability rights attorney and lives in Berkeley, CA. Michelle is a 3rd grade teacher at the Little Brook School in Princeton.

Rachelle loves working with the Kaplan faculty and meeting all the families and students each year. In her spare time, she enjoys practicing yoga, reading and spending time with her family and friends.