Elaine Contard, Jewish Culture 4 Kids Coordinator
Elaine’s background is in counseling and teaching and we are so excited that she has joined FHC as our Family Coordinator. Elaine has a B.A. in Psychology and an M.S. in Education with a specialty in Guidance and Counseling. She taught at Yorktown Jewish Center for thirty years: Kindergarten through Bet, the bulk of this in the Aleph classroom (eight year old’s). Years ago, she ran a Mishpachah (young families) program. Elaine enjoys painting, writing, and swimming; she sings female tenor in the Kol Rinah chorus in Westchester. She loves working with this age group at FHC!
Rebecca DeAngelis, Director, Lil’ Sprouts
Rebecca is passionate about early childhood education. She has an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Dutchess Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Informational Technology & Education from Mount Saint Mary College. She has served in the early childhood education field, as a teacher and a director over the past twelve years, specializing in developmentally appropriate practice through play-based learning opportunities. Her expertise is that she implements a curriculum that is hands on, engaging, fun, social and provides a strong foundation for all future learning. As a director, she takes pride in inspiring her staff to provide these learning opportunities to their students. Rebecca joined the Lil’ Sprouts team in May of 2024 and is excited and carry on their exquisite reputation through collaborating with the staff and meeting the needs of the students and their families through the first stages of their educational journey!
Paula Desrochers-Yakout, Administrator
Paula comes to us with 20 years of experinces in the not-for profit Jewish world. She served various positions at the URJ, “retirng” in 2012 as the Executive Administrator to the Board of Trustees, to stay home and be with her young children. After moving to Yorktown Heights in 2014, Paula worked with The League Brand as their office Manager until the Fall of 2022. Paula has a BS in Music Education from the University of New Hampshire. We are excited that she joined our team as a consultant in June of 2023 and then as a part time employee in August of 2023. Paula is married and she and her husband are raising a daughter and twin boys. If Paula is not at FHC, she can be found watching her kids play sports or traveling with her family – usually to her home state of Maine.
