OUR TEAM

MEET OUR DIRECTOR!

Lori Hurwitz

Founder & Executive Director

Lori Hurwitz is the Founder and Executive Director of Creative Enrichment, LLC, and also serves as Director of the Junior Day Camp at the Summer at Norwood program in Bethesda, Maryland.

With over 35 years of experience in early childhood education, Lori’s career began at Kehilat Shalom Preschool in Gaithersburg, MD. She later worked with the Enrichment Kindergarten Complement Program, supporting full-day learning for kindergarteners in Montgomery County, and served as a lead teacher at a preschool in Derwood, MD.

Lori’s educational approach is grounded in Conscious Discipline®, a holistic self-regulation and social-emotional learning program that helps children build confidence and essential life skills as they prepare for kindergarten and beyond.

“I’m fascinated by children and love being around them,” Lori shares. “They have incredible imaginations, say the most interesting things, and always make me laugh.”

As a child, Lori’s love of learning was inspired by her third-grade teacher, Mrs. Smith, who made reading fun by letting students rewrite story endings. She especially loved Dr. Seuss books—“The rhymes were silly, fun, and always made me laugh!”

Lori lives in Olney, MD with her husband David and their two dogs. They have two grown sons—Adam, who works in mental health, and Jonathan, who is writer and works in the entertainment/ social media industry. In her free time, Lori enjoys walking her dogs, cooking, reading, and visiting Bethany Beach.

MEET OUR TEAM!

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.