What makes the Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center the top choice for families in Memphis?
The Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center at Temple Israel offers a high-quality academic experience for young children in a warm, Jewish environment that is nurturing, diverse, and inclusive. Our faculty and staff take delight in each child’s individual development and share their love of exploring, learning, and discovering.
Our mission is to provide for your child’s social, emotional, and cognitive growth in a Jewish setting.
We offer a unique educational opportunity that is both enriching and fulfilling. With core values of social-emotional learning, Judaics, and community, our children receive individualized attention through a low teacher-pupil ratio to enhance self-esteem and capacity for learning.
We invite you to learn more about our programs and curriculum for our students beginning as young as six weeks old through junior kindergarten.
Our Programs
Quick Jump
Learn About Our Tot Community Programs
Meet Our Head of School, Blair Trotz
Blair Trotz has been devoted to early childhood education her entire life. During her 37 years in the education field, she spent most of those years teaching Pre-K at the Jewish Community Center, followed by teaching grades 2 and 3 at Bornblum Community School. Blair then received an endorsement in gifted education and taught Gifted (CLUE) for Memphis Shelby County Schools. In 2017, Blair went back to school to receive her administrative license. Most recently, Blair was the Assistant Principal at Macon-Hall Elementary School, where she oversaw the Pre-K through Grade 2 classrooms, staff, curriculum, and programs.
During her educational career, Blair has received numerous awards for excellence in teaching, including the Spark Award for Teacher of the Year, Gifted Teacher of the Year for the state of Tennessee, and Hadassah’s Outstanding Jewish Educator Award.
Blair received her undergraduate degree at the University of Memphis and later obtained her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. She is a fourth-generation Memphian and enjoys gardening, taking walks, and spending time with her family, especially her grandson Hayden. She is looking forward to meeting and supporting the students and families at the Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning Center.
Questions? Wanting to learn more about the BKL ELC? Reach out to Blair!