Lafayette Staff
My name is Alyssa Corcorran. I am a Bay Area native who graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Psychology. After college I practiced behavioral therapy for children with autism for 5 years. I then helped open the GLMS Lafayette campus and have been a teacher there ever since. I love teaching children social and emotional skills and watching them grow and learn.
In my free time I travel to different countries and learn about new cultures. I love to cook and spend time with my family. My daughter was born early 2020 and she keeps me very busy.
Hi. My name is Jacquelin. I was born and raised in the Bay Area. I am a bilingual speaker, speaking both English and Spanish. I am a Diablo Valley Community College student majoring in Education because I am so passionate about being part of children’s learning. I love to spend time with my family and staying at home to bake!
My name is GuoZhen (Jenny) Zhu. I am from China. I am trilingual, I can speak Mandarin, Cantonese and English. I’m interested in exploring children’s growth, education, and psychological development of their different stages. Now, I am taking courses at Diablo Valley College to improve my teaching skills and pursue my dream to be an excellent early childhood teacher. I’m also a mother of two children, and I believe that children need positive and healthy guidance in their growth path.
Hi my name is Mari Martinez. I was born and raised in Chavinda Michoacan Mexico. My first language is Español. I came to California when I was 17 years old. One of the things I love to do is cook. I also love to listen to music and go outside for walks. I especially love to spend time with my family. Some of the things I love to do with the children is teaching them Español, doing art projects and gardening. I am so happy to meet you all soon!
Hi my name is Marisela Alferez. I was born and raised in the Bay Area, and I speak English and Spanish. I received my education at Chabot Community College and California State University East Bay receiving a BA in Liberal Studies and minor in Human Development. After college, I started working with children through different settings. From volunteering at public schools to working at another Montessori school. I have learned so much from children and their development. In my free time, I enjoy being outdoors and exploring the beauty that California and the rest of the world have to offer as well as enjoying food and yoga.
Hello! My name is Mireya. I was born in Mexico City and I came to the United States when I was 11 yrs old.
I am fluent in Spanish and English. I grew up in Richmond, Ca. I have over 16 yrs of teaching experience. I love working with children of all ages but my preference is working with Pre-k /Kindergarten. I enjoy teaching the children movement class and also teaching them Spanish. I like to learn about different cultures and travel to different continents.
Hello! My name is Natalie. I grew up in the bay area and currently living in Martinez with my twin sister. I am fluent in Spanish and English, and I have 8 years of experience working with children from 2 years old up to middle school. I realized that my true passion is working with preschool age children and that is where I have been for the past 5 years.In my free time I like to go on nature walks, watch movies, and attend social events. What I love most about working with young children is their curiosity and watching them learn and gain the self-confidence to make friends. The best feeling is when you have broken through to a child and you see them have that “ah ha” moment.
My name is Pat, I was born and raised in Manila, Philippines. I am fluent in Tagalog. My earliest memory in a Montessori environment was working as a “teacher’s aide” for a day in my aunt’s classroom as a young girl. Clearly, it has left a lasting impression. Right after graduating in college I migrated to Fremont and took the AMI Montessori Teacher Training. I have been working in the classroom for almost two decades, it is an absolute joy to work with children. I spend my free time gardening, cooking and hiking with my family. I have two children, aged 10 and 8. We love the beach life and also our little pet bunny.
My name is Rasika and I was born in Sri Lanka. I have also lived in Tennessee and California. I speak Sinhala, English and Hindi. I have 15 years of teaching experience and have been with Growing Light since 2017. My favorite student activities are: Art, yoga, science projects, music and movement. I love to do Yoga, dancing, cooking and spending time with my family as well as my cute little children in my small school.
Hello! My name is Roxanna and I was born in Maine. I’ve lived in Lebanon, Greece and India as well as RI, NH, OH, IL, NM, CO and California. I have taught children since I was a teenager (first as a swim instructor during the summer) and then as a preschool teacher. I worked at GLMS in Berkeley 30 years ago! I teach yoga and meditation and love teaching these practices to the children. The thing I love the most about working with preschool age children is how they are completely uncensored in the way they relate and how much love they carry in their hearts. I enjoy travel, being in nature and spending time with my children (18 and 21.)