Dana Rogney, BSY Preschool Director

Dana Rogney started as Director of Bet Shalom Yeladim (BSY) preschool in June, 2022. Amber Brumbaugh and Molly Bryant interviewed her to introduce her to the congregation.

What brought you to Bet Shalom?

I have been a member of Minneapolis’ Jewish community for several years, and I’ve always heard about great experiences at Bet Shalom and BSY. I have been on a professional journey to obtain more leadership roles, so when the opportunity to apply to be the Director of BSY arose, I was excited to take on a new career challenge.

What experiences have you had in early childhood education?

After volunteering in schools and babysitting throughout my youth, I attended Colorado State University where I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a focus on Early Childhood Development. I moved to Minnesota and taught at the Minneapolis JCC’s ECC from 2011-2015 and at Aleph Preschool at Beth El Synagogue from 2015-2022. I was also Beth El’s Young Children’s Shabbat and Holiday Programming Coordinator from 2017-2020. I received my MNAEYC Director’s Credential in 2017.

My husband and I have been raising our twins since 2020. So I’ve learned a lot about the parent perspective, plus interesting tidbits about development that I did not learn in school!

What’s your favorite part of being the director at BSY so far?

I have loved getting to know the children, parents, and teachers of the BSY community. The friendly and comfortable environment displayed throughout the school is really impressive. I had personal connections to many of the families and teachers here from my earlier experiences in the local community. The previous BSY Preschool Director, Amber Brumbaugh, and I met in 2011 while we were both working at the JCC, and have stayed in touch since. I learned a bit about the BSY community through her, saw how much she enjoyed it, and thought it looked like a great place to work. It is so much fun to reconnect with people I knew in the past and meet new people whom I have heard about from mutual friends.

What do you enjoy most about early childhood education?

I love to see children develop social skills, from smiling as a newborn to learning how to take turns and help each other in preschool. When I teach, I enjoy putting on music for singing and dancing, creating art projects, and reading books, especially those that I grew up with as a child.

What are you looking forward to most in the next year?

I am looking forward to developing strong relationships within the community and assisting parents, teachers and children in order to give them the tools they need for success. I love attending the Young Family Shabbat events and other community social opportunities. It’s exciting to meet new people and immerse myself in the Bet Shalom atmosphere.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I love to bake, cook, connect with friends, and spend time with my family. I spend a lot of time baking new recipes for my twin two year olds, such as sneaking fruit and veggies into muffins and “cookies”! I love to experiment with new meals and attempt to put a healthy twist on our favorite foods, for example, pasta, enchiladas, and pizza. I enjoy taking my twins to new parks and interactive locations, such as Gale Woods Farm and the Minnesota Children’s Museum.

Tell us about your family. 

My husband Jef and I met in 2008 and married in 2015. We welcomed our twins, James and Vera, in 2020. We also have one dog, Doug, and two cats, Malificus (Mali) and Luna. Jef is a buyer for a local floral wholesaler, and he is also an avid guitarist and plays in a couple of bands.

James and Vera have challenged and impressed us since they were born. Every age has seemed like the “best phase” so far, but this two-year-old phase is really fun. They talk in full sentences, carry on conversations, especially with each other, and are so inquisitive and hilarious. Vera’s favorite activities are art projects and dancing; James loves trucks and animals. 

I am originally from Dallas, Texas. I grew up with my parents and two sisters, and I am the middle child. We lost our father unexpectedly in 2011, which taught me so much about life. My mother and sisters still live in Texas, and I try to visit them at least a couple of times a year.

Who is your hero or inspiration?

My heroes are the doctors and nurses who helped save the lives of my children during the four months we spent in Children Minneapolis’ Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, as well as our current team of doctors and therapists. James and Vera were born 100 days before their due date, and I delivered them with Jef’s assistance in our bathroom before ambulances arrived. They have beaten so many obstacles and are miraculously doing very well overall. This journey has been incredibly life-altering and has taught me much about perspective, gratitude, acceptance and courage.