Los Angeles 5Th Grade
Resume:
Ilissa Nelsen
•**** Four Point Ct.
Eldersburg, MD 2178
•************@*****.***
Summary
Highly experienced teacher with a background teaching most grades and ages.
Education
Bachelor of Arts: Jewish Studies, 1991
University of Minnesota-Minneapolis, MN
Jewish Education and Administration Program, 1991-92
University of Judaism, Los Angeles, CA
Master of Arts: Psychology, 1993
Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, CA
Employment History
B’nai Israel-Rockville, MD
Religious School Educator
2/25-5/29
Taught 5th grade Judaic Studies, Brachot, Torah, Jewish History, and Israel Studies
Beth Shalom Congregation-Columbia, MD
Director of Education and Programming
7/1-5/30
Oversee religious school and Teen Talmud Torah (our Middle and HS learning program)
Devise and implement curriculum
Hire, train, and supervise teachers
Teach as needed
Manage budget
Create and lead Youth Group Programming
Designed and facilitated Holocaust education curriculum for grades 5–7, integrating resources from Echoes & Reflections and Facing History and Ourselves to promote critical thinking and empathy.
Guided students in exploring survivor testimony, historical documents, and visual media to understand the Shoah within both Jewish and global contexts.
Led Yom HaShoah commemorations featuring student-led readings, art installations, and original reflections tied to themes of memory and resistance.
Partnered with local Holocaust museums and educational institutions to arrange survivor talks and immersive learning experiences.
Provided faculty training on age-appropriate strategies for Holocaust instruction, focusing on fostering resilience, moral decision-making, and historical awareness.
Supported b-mitzvah students in Holocaust-related mitzvah projects including educational displays, community presentations, and remembrance initiatives.
Owner InTune Tutoring Services
Owner
3/20-Present
Provide tutoring assistance in all subjects for grades Pre-K through College. Recruit and manage tutors. Create advertisements, attend marketing fairs. Tutored adults and children in Hebrew and ESL.
Edjewcation Station-Parkland, FL
Judaics Educator
9/21-6/24
Director of Education and Programming/Educator
Creating classes and programs in a mobile setting pertaining to Jewish Culture, Israel, Jewish Values, Torah and Holidays.
Developed and taught Holocaust education units for elementary and middle school students using materials from Echoes & Reflections and Facing History and Ourselves.
Created safe, age-appropriate classroom environments for students to engage with survivor testimony, primary sources, and historical narratives
Introduced project-based learning opportunities focused on remembrance, resistance, and moral courage during the Holocaust.
Organized Yom HaShoah learning experiences and commemorative programs designed to empower students with a sense of responsibility and empathy.
Collaborated with fellow educators to align Holocaust education with broader Jewish values and social-emotional learning goals.
Encouraged student reflection through art, writing, and discussion to deepen personal connections to Holocaust memory and legacy.
Temple Beth El – West Palm Beach, FL
Director of Education and Programming; Director of Israel Studies
7/23-5/24
Designed and implemented classes and programs in Hebrew, Jewish Studies, and Israel education across multiple age groups.
Oversaw faculty and educational programming, managed departmental budgeting, and aligned curriculum with contemporary Jewish and Zionist values.
Led Holocaust and modern antisemitism education efforts, including classroom instruction and experiential learning tied to survivor stories and historical memory.
Integrated Echoes & Reflections and Facing History and Ourselves resources into Holocaust curriculum to build empathy, resilience, and ethical awareness among students.
Participated in an educational delegation to Israel to bear witness to the aftermath of the October 7th terror attacks; developed post-trip programs to educate congregants, students, and staff through presentations, firsthand testimony, and reflection.
Coordinated community-wide commemorations and learning events, including Yom HaShoah programming and memorial experiences connecting Holocaust history to present-day Jewish resilience.
Planned and facilitated engagement for B’nai Mitzvah Club, Young Jewish Professionals Network (YjPN), and intergenerational congregational programs.
Judaics/Hebrew Teacher
Executive Support to Rabbi and Executive Director
Conversion Class Educator
Taught Adult Education including Hebrew, and Holocaust Studies
Created and ran B’nai Mitzvah Club and Youth Groups,
B’nai Mitzvah Tutor,
Created and Ran Adult Programming
Marketing
Torah Emet and Rodef Shalom
9/20-Present
Judaics, Hebrew and Israel Education Teacher, Bar/Bat Mitzvah Prep Teaher 6th Grade
Shalom Learning
JREP and LinkED Hebrew Teacher
Hebrew and Jewish Values Teacher for 1-2 grade military children, 6th grade Hebrew and Prayers and 3-4th grade Jewish Values. 9/21-Present
Tutor-Grade Potential Tutoring
Tutor for various grade levels in all subjects. 1/20-4/21
HomeSchool Teacher
Teach Kindergarten and First Graders in homeschooling program. 6/20-Present
ESL Tutor
Tutor adults and children in the English language. 5/20-Present
Bethesda Hospital Preschool, Boynton Beach, FL
Lead Teacher for Preschool Room 6/19-4/20
Taught Reading, Writing, Math, and Science.
Neshama Institute, Boca Raton, FL
Hebrew and Bar/Bat Mitzvah Tutor 7/19-6/21
Temple Beth El, Boca Raton, FL
Hebrew teacher for 2nd, 3rd, and 5th grades August, 2017-May, 2019
Preschool teacher in Pre-K room August, 2018-May, 2019
Preschool teacher in 1’s room January, 2018-August, 2018
Youth Group Chaperone August, 2017-May, 2019
AZKreative Kreations, Inc
Owner September 200 – June 2003
We are your one stop shop for your skincare, makeup and fashion needs.
The New Shul, Scottsdale Arizona
Curriculum Developer, Teacher September 2001 – June 2003
Developed and implemented a Hebrew and Religious School program. Taught Saturday school and Bar/Bat Mitzvah training.
Jess Schwartz High School, Phoenix, AZ
Judaic Studies, Math.,ELA, and Hebrew teacher September, 2004-June 2005
Taught High School Students Torah Studies, Jewish Studies and Hebrew
Or Chadash Hebrew and Religious School Teacher, Scottsdale, AZ
September, 2001-- June 2003
Taught mixed age classes Hebrew and Jewish Studies
Scheduled Marketing department vice presidents for meetings, presentations, and travel. Assisted in putting together presentations.
Har Zion Scottsdale, AZ
Hebrew and Religious School teacher for 7th grade September, 2002-June 2004
Preschool teacher for 2’s.
Gan Elohim, Paradise Valley, AZ
Jewish Studies Teacher September 2003, June 2004
Taught 1st graders and parent classes once a month on Jewish holidays and traditions.
Temple Beth Israel, Scottsdale, AZ
Hebrew and Religious School teacher for 5th grade. September, 2003-June, 2004
Har Zion Scottsdale, AZ
Hebrew and Preschool Teacher 2002-June 2004
Preschool teacher for 2’s.
Taught Holocaust class and Hebrew to 7th graders.
Jewish Community Center, Scottsdale, AZ
Assistant Director of Preschool and Youth Engagement August, 2002-June 2003
Toured prospective families
Marketing the Program
Scheduling teachers and floaters
Filled in for teachers in all rooms
Wrote newsletter for school
Talmud Torah of Minneapolis Minneapolis, MN
Hebrew and Jewish Studies teacher September, 1986-June, 1990
Talmud Torah of St. Paul St. Paul, MN
Hebrew and Jewish Studies teacher for 5th grade September, 1989-June, 1990
Mt. Zion Temple Eagan, MN
Hebrew and Religious Studies teacher September, 1989-June, 1990
Taught 2nd grade Hebrew and Jewish Studies
Beth Am Temple Los Angeles, CA
Hebrew and Jewish Studies teacher for 4th grade. September, 1990-June, 1991
Jewish Day School of Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, MN
Hebrew, Jewish Studies, Math, Social Studies, Reading/Writing November 1989-May 1990
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