Gan Shalom Team Members

Heidi Cooper, Director of Early Childhood Education

I joined Temple Sholom of Chicago in 2012 as a teacher before stepping into the role of Early Childhood Education Director. My husband and I relocated to Chicago from New York in 2004 where I spent most of my adult life working with young children. While teaching full time in New York City, I earned my M.A.Ed. from Hunter College in New York. After spending 15 wonderful years in the classroom, I decided to bridge my teaching experience with my love for working with parents and children and earned my MSW with a clinical concentration from Columbia University. Before leaving New York, I worked as a director/social worker in an integrated preschool program helping young families receive services for a variety of special needs. I have dedicated the last 20+ years to becoming a strong leader, educator, advocate for young children while bringing a positive, nurturing energy to Gan Shalom/Temple Sholom. The other loves in my life are my husband, Stuart and my 13-year-old son, Max.