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LOCATION AND FACILITIES

The Flo and Morris Mizel Jewish Community Day School, founded as Heritage Academy, is housed in the Charles Schusterman Jewish Community Center (CSJCC.org), located on the Zarrow Campus of the Jewish Federation of Tulsa (www.jewishtulsa.org).

The Jewish Federation manages the school’s facility and provides a safe and secure building, with many opportunities for the school to use the various campus facilities. Heritage Academy, founded in 1975 and housed at Congregation B’nai Emunah, moved to the Jewish Community Center, having outgrown the synagogue facilities. Since that time, the school has been provided the opportunity to use a number of spaces in the Schusterman Center, including the classrooms which were extended into a school wing on the south side of the building.

In addition to the classrooms, the school utilizes:

The gym for Physical Education programs, as well as the Jeanette Altman Frieden Sports Complex for outdoor sports and other activities.
the Center’s kitchen for a lunch program and enrichment activities such as baking holiday meals and foods, hosting a Thanksgiving dinner for family and friends, often at capacity which has been approximately 100 guests
the replica of a synagogue sanctuary where students and faculty meet on Monday and Thursday mornings for Tefillah (morning prayers) in the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art (jewishmuseumtulsa.org)
tours of appropriate exhibits at the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art provided by museum staff
the Barbara and Dave Sylvan Auditorium at the Schusterman Center for school programs such as PTO events, Science Fairs, annual Havdalah program (Jewish religious ceremony marking the end of weekly Shabbat) fundraising programs, school performances, Graduation and other school activities
the Lecture Hall which is the location for daytime programming, including weekly Shabbat programs
the annual decorating of the Center’s Sukkah which provides not only an art program for the students, but a location for eating lunches in the Sukkah and learning about the Sukkot holiday
the Jewish Federation Community Garden, learning about growing food which is donated to the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma (okfoodbank.org)
programming with residents at Zarrow Pointe (zarrowpointe.org), including Shabbat and holiday activities, reading to seniors, crafting and other creative activities with residents, songfests and performances.
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FACULTY

Amanda Anderson

Executive Director

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Amanda Anderson
Executive Director
  •  B.S. Degree, University of Oklahoma, Elementary Education
  •  M.A. Degree, University of Oklahoma, Math Specialist
  •  M.A. Degree, University of Oklahoma, Instructional Leadership and Administration
  •  Taught 4th and 5th grades, Norman, OK
  •  Interventionist, Enrichment and Remediation Coordinator, Norman, OK
  •  Administration, Elementary School & Middle Schools, Oklahoma City Public Schools, OK
  •  Joined Mizel JCDS in 2021

Keri Jenkins

Executive Assistant/PE Teacher

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Keri Jenkins
Executive Assistant/PE Teacher
  • Bachelor of Science Degree in Family Relations & Child Development from Oklahoma State University
  • Specializations: Early Childhood Education, Sports Nutrition, Youth Nutrition, Youth Physical Fitness Education & Gymnastics
  • Tulsa Native & Jenks High School Alumni
  • Loves children, animals, fitness, sports, reading, avocado, coffee, sweet tea, dark chocolate, jeeps, and the great outdoors!
  • Came to Mizel JCDS in July 2025

Lauren Drover

Prekindergarten Teacher

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Lauren Drover
Prekindergarten Teacher
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Total years in education: 24
  • Joined Mizel JCDS in 2013
  • Been with Camp Shalom since she was 3 years old!

Hannah Basham

Prekindergarten Assistant

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Hannah Basham
Prekindergarten Assistant
  • Camp Counselor at Whiteside Community Center 
  • Enjoys working with children in both classroom and camp settings
  • Loves spending time outdoors and creating fun activities for kids
  • Joined Mizel JCDS in 2025

Chelsea Sexton

Prekindergarten Assistant

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Chelsea Sexton
Prekindergarten Assistant
  • Homeschooled my whole life
  • Been with Morah Drover since 2017.
  • I like spending time with my family and traveling when I can.
  • Excited for my son, Tommy, and my daughter, Piper, to be at Mizel!
  • Joined Mizel Faculty: 2017

 

Jodi Pass

1st Grade Teacher

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Jodi Pass
1st Grade Teacher
  • Holds a Master’s Degree in Literacy and Special Education, certified, K–12
  • Brings 25 years of experience as an educator, with primary expertise in K–5 instruction
  • Experienced in teacher mentorship and instructional coaching to support professional growth
  • Served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia, teaching English prior to relocating to Tulsa
  • Joined Mizel JCDS in 2024.

Gigi Grimes

Kindergarten Teacher

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Gigi Grimes
Kindergarten Teacher
  • Kindergarten Teacher
  • Early Childhood-8th grade certified 
  • Science of Teaching Reading (SOR) is, specialized certification in teaching reading. 
  • Passionate about teaching students how to read and become independent learners to help them be successful in their academic life. 
  • Joined Mizel JCDS in 2022.

Skilynn Billings

Toddler Teacher

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Skilynn Billings
Toddler Teacher
  • Toddler Teacher
  • Worked with young children at Camp Shalom
  • Loves teaching toddlers and creating a nurturing, fun environment
  • Joined Mizel JCDS in 2025

Trinity Hammond

2nd & 3rd Grade Assistant, Music Teacher

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Trinity Hammond
2nd & 3rd Grade Assistant, Music Teacher
  • Lived in Oklahoma my entire life.
  • Started this year giving professional swim lessons, including Mizel students, and working with Lifeguard Pro.
  • Share my passion for music with Mizel students, inspiring creativity and joy in the classroom.
  • Been involved with music (percussion) since middle school. 
  • Enjoy helping students build confidence through music and performance.

Jennifer Solis

2nd & 3rd Grade Teacher

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Jennifer Solis
2nd & 3rd Grade Teacher
  • BA – Religion; University of Tulsa 
  • M.Ed Special Education; University of Central OK 
  • Oklahoma State Certification: 
    • Elementary Education (1st -8th grades) 
    • Special Education (Pre-K – 12th) 
  • Joined Mizel 2024

Charria Lane

Cafeteria

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Charria Lane
Cafeteria
  • Cafeteria Extrodinaire
  • Passionate about education and creating a nurturing, engaging environment for learners
  • Enjoys incorporating music, movement, and laughter into the classroom to help children grow with confidence and joy
  • Deeply connected to Jewish learning and values, and dedicated to sharing them with her students
  • Joined Mizel JCDS in 2024

Trisha Zielinski

Librarian, Reading Specialist

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Trisha Zielinski
Librarian, Reading Specialist
  • Reading Specialist
  • Master’s in Reading from Northeastern State University, Oklahoma, teaching certifications
  • Over 25 years of experience in education, including founding and directing Hearthstone Private School and Miss Trisha’s Homeschool Co-op
  • Served as Native American Academic Mentor at Jenks Public Schools, supporting students’ academic success
  • Passionate about literacy instruction and helping students grow into confident, lifelong learners
  • Joined Mizel JCDS in 2023

Shelley Diamond

4th & 5th Grade Teacher

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Shelley Diamond
4th & 5th Grade Teacher
  • English Language Development Specialist
  • BA in English with minors in Sociology & Art History, Dual MA in English Literature & History, additional graduate studies in Supervision, Instruction, and Leadership
  • Over 15 years of teaching experience across K–12 and higher education, including Tulsa Public Schools, Coweta Public Schools, and local colleges
  • Taught Jewish history, values, and traditions at B’nai Emunah Shul School, fostering connection to Judaism through engaging, hands-on learning
  • Joined Mizel JCDS in 2025

Emily Carpenter

Art & STEM Teacher

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Emily Carpenter
Art & STEM Teacher
  • Elementary Teacher
  • BA in Latin American Studies & Environmental Studies from the University of Kansas
  • Over 8 years of teaching experience with Tulsa Public Schools, including service as Teacher Leader and Department Head
  • Recognized as Teacher of the Year (2020–2021) and semifinalist for Tulsa Public Schools District Teacher of the Year
  • Previously served as an Education Specialist at the Tulsa Zoo, developing engaging outreach programs featuring animals and hands-on learning experiences
  • Joined Mizel JCDS in 2025

Shira Sachs

Hebrew & Judaic Studies Teacher

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Shira Sachs
Hebrew & Judaic Studies Teacher
  • Hebrew & Judaic Studies Teacher
  • BA in Jewish Studies with a minor in Education
  • Over 7 years of experience teaching at Vancouver Talmud Torah
  • Passionate about creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences and helping students connect to their Judaism and Hebrew language
  •  Joined Mizel JCDS in 2025

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TESTIMONIALS

“Small class size and teachers’ attention to each student’s needs were big factors in choosing Mizel….(my daughter) succeeded because the teachers believed in her.”
- Mizel Parent
"Heritage Academy (Mizel JCDS) helped lay the foundation for my entire life. Steeped in tradition that I've carried over through my own children. I sent my children to school there."
- FORMER STUDENT, NOW PARENT OF STUDENTS
"She succeeded because the teachers, staff and her family believed in her."
- MIZEL PARENT
"I am Facebook friends with many past students....I had a conversation several months ago that included "What do you like about Shabbat?" It made me smile."
- FORMER DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL
"Emily hopes that students learned the importance of the rule of law, the purpose of voting, the importance of the Constitution and expression of civility and compassion."
- FORMER TEACHER
"The benefit of self-confidence, a thirst for learning, and a true sense of being a thoughtful, kind person who respects Judaism, fellow students and others in the community."
- FORMER DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL
"His daughter was in a wheelchair....I remember how the children couldn't wait for their turn to wheel her about the school."
- MIZEL PARENT
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