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.

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.

Laura was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. She has been a California resident for 40 years. Laura has a BA in Human Development and an AMS teaching credential. She has been a preschool teacher for 21 years and a children’s dance and movement teacher since 1989.

Laura enjoys teaching all subjects, but especially loves sharing nature with children. She believes art education is essential in early education and encourages children to Be thinkers and creators.
Laura enjoys ballet and ice skating among other hobbies. She also loves spending time with her husband, Carlos Arellano.

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!

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.

Teacher Rachel K was born in South Bend, Indiana and grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. She has been a teacher in the great states of Arizona, Connecticut, Maryland, and California. Before teaching, Rachel worked as a mental health counselor for children and as a social worker for adults with schizophrenia. Happy to have found her place in the Montessori classroom, Rachel loves singing with her students, teaching them about nature and geography, and Montessori language lessons.

Outside of the classroom, Rachel creates art and greeting cards, and has a love for all animals!

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.)

My name is Shannon and I was born in Phoenix, AZ. I was raised in “the City” (San Francisco) but also lived in San Diego, Nashville, & New Jersey. I speak English only. I have about 20 years of teaching experience and prior to that was in banking for 20 years. I truly love teaching and connecting with children and families. I have taught 1st, 2nd, 3rd grade as well as pre-school. When I am not working, I love yoga and hiking. I live in Oakland and have three wonderful children ages 21, 24, & 25 who keep me laughing and young!