OUR TEAM
MEET OUR DIRECTOR!
Lori Hurwitz
Founder and Executive Director
Lori is the Founder and Executive Director of Creative Enrichment, LLC. Additionally, she is the Director of the Junior Day Camp for the Summer at Norwood program in Bethesda, Maryland.
Lori has 35 years of experience working in early childhood education. She began at Kehilat Shalom Preschool in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and later joined the Enrichment Kindergarten Compliment Program, a program providing full-day instruction to kindergarten students in Montgomery County. She was also a lead teacher at a local preschool in Derwood, Maryland.
Lori's educational philosophy is based on Conscious Discipline®, a comprehensive self-regulation program that integrates social-emotional learning and discipline, to send students off to Kindergarten with the necessary tools to be confident and successful.
About working with children, Lori says, “I am fascinated by them and love being around them. I am always interested in what they have to say, I love their wild imaginations, and they make me laugh!”
As a child, Lori’s favorite teacher was Mrs. Smith, because she made reading fun in 3rd grade by allowing her class to change the end of a story of the books they read in class. Her favorite books were Dr. Seuss books: “I loved the rhyming words and his books made me laugh because they were so silly!”
Lori lives in Olney, MD with her husband David, and their two dogs. They have two sons, Adam, also an educator, and Jonathan, a writer. In her spare time, Lori loves to walk her dogs, cook, read, and take trips to Bethany Beach.
MEET OUR TEAM!
Amy Splain
Amy Splain grew up in Rocky River, Ohio, and graduated from Xavier University with an Associate Degree in Montessori Education. Amy was a preschool teacher for 18 years before joining the Creative Enrichment team.
Amy feels very strongly about creating an environment in which children feel safe to explore, discover, and most importantly gain confidence in themselves. Her patient, empathetic approach enables her to connect with each child and their unique needs.
Amy and her husband John live in Brookeville with their dog, Maeby. They have three grown children, Allie (husband Ben), Matt, and Zack. They are also VERY proud grandparents to Theo!
As for hobbies, Amy enjoys swimming, reading, cooking, but most of all traveling to California to spend time with Theo!
Mini Macnab Issembert
Mini has been a dedicated professional in the field of education since 2009. Originally from Madrid, Spain, Mini spent 20 years living in London before making the move to the Washington, DC area in 2018. She now resides in Maryland with her wife, Valerie, and their two young children, Eve (4) and Ander (2). Mini is actively involved in her community and currently serves as the Parent Board Chair of her children's cooperative preschool.
Before transitioning into education, Mini honed her skills as a pastry chef in London, working under the renowned chef Ottolenghi. It was during this time that she mastered the art of cake making, which remains one of her passions. Outside of her professional endeavors, Mini enjoys cooking, baking, cake decorating, and knitting. Recently, she has discovered a love for gardening and hopes to cultivate a garden filled with flowers, vegetables, and fruit.
A lifelong learner, Mini is always eager to acquire new knowledge and takes pride in finding practical solutions to everyday challenges. She and her family love taking trips to the beach, with the Outer Banks in North Carolina being her favorite spot in the USA so far.
Marcia Cottrell
Marcia grew up in New York. She graduated from Cortland State with a degree in Physical Education, a Masters in Education from Nazareth College, and a Masters in Health Education from SUNY @ Brockport. She also has an Administrative Degree from University of Rochester. She taught K, 1, 2 ,4, enrichment, staff development, Reading First Coach, and Academic Coach in Sodus, NY for 37 years.
After retiring, she missed teaching and started subbing in a preschool. She believes in helping children discover and learn through hands on activities. Watching their little faces light up when they have achieved is pure joy.
She lives in Ashton, MD with her daughter, son-in-law, 2 grandsons, and 2 elderly dogs. She enjoys reading, gardening, crafting, and spoiling her grandsons.
Roberta Hockstein
Roberta has been working with children for over 25 years, teaching a variety of ages from preschoolers up to teenagers. She has taught classes in cooking, science, religion, and art.
Roberta graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in communications and obtained a teaching license after studying education at Fairleigh Dickinson University in NJ.
Roberta has lived in Maryland for 24 years. She enjoys reading, painting furniture, cooking, and watching movies.
Susan Dimanna
Susan grew up in Potomac, Maryland, and graduated from Churchill High School. She went to the University of Maryland and had the opportunity to study her junior year abroad.
Susan recently retired from Montgomery County Public Schools after a 34-year career. She spent her first 14 years teaching first, fourth, and fifth grades at Maryvale and S Christa McAuliffe. Her remaining years were as a Staff Development Teacher at Cresthaven and Ritchie Park. In retirement, Susan is enjoying working with students again as a substitute teacher and tutor. One of her greatest strengths is forming relationships with the students and families she works with.
Susan and her husband live in Kensington with their dog Scarlett. She enjoys reading and traveling around the world.