Ana was born in Brazil and came to the United States in 2001. She is fluent in Portuguese, Spanish and English. Ana is passionate about maintaining a positive classroom environment, and enjoys incorporating Spanish, dancing, and singing into the daily curriculum.

Ceci was born in Mexico and her first language is Spanish. She has been part of the Growing Light family for over 15 years and has worked at several of our GLMS campuses. Ceci has 4 children and loves to cook, create art and spend time with her family. In addition to Ceci’s early childhood education courses, she has completed her Assistant Montessori Teacher coursework from Montessori Teacher Education Center which is affiliated with the American Montessori Society (AMS) and accredited by the Montessori Council for Teacher Education (MACTE).

Debra started her career working as a teacher over 20 years ago when she first helped open the GLMS Oakland campus. Debra then rejoined the Growing Light Team after a 15 year teaching career at Head Royce School in Oakland. Debra has her Masters degree in Early Childhood Education and Montessori Teaching Credential from St. Mary’s College and a BA in English from the University of Michigan. As an administrator Debra loves working with families, leading tours, encouraging staff to follow their passions and make sure each and every child is thriving. Debra is passionate about hiking, biking and all things outdoors. Her son, Gabe (Campolindo High School student) attended GLMS as a preschool student of some of the current Moraga Teachers!

Jiab was born in Thailand in a city called Chang Kong and came to the United States as a refugee in 1993 when she was 14 years old. Jiab is fluent in Mien, Thai, Laos and English, and a mother to three children. Jiab has has over 15 years of Early Childhood teaching experience, and enjoys sharing her love of games, art, crafts, movement and sports with her students. Jiab loves being an educator, and loves her students like she loves her family.

Laura semi retired from her full time teaching position as a Montessori teacher at GLMS Kensington campus. We are so lucky to have her working with us in another capacity. 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 22 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.

Maribel was born and raised in San Francisco. She has been working for the past five years at The Concordia School in Concord, Ca. It was here that she found a love for Montessori based education and curriculum. During her free time, Maribel enjoys spending time with her three children, finding new trails to walk, road trips and reading.

Michelle was born and raised in the Bay Area and currently resides in the East Bay with her family. She has a deep love and understanding of the Montessori methodology and philosophy, and has been a teacher of early childhood for 22 years. Her two daughters attend Montessori school, now in 7th and 4th grades though they began their Montessori education as infants. Michelle has experience teaching in Montessori classrooms since 2003 and ranged from infant/toddler classes up to kindergarten enrichment programs specializing in the kindergarten and 3rd year. She has extensive experiences in leading the primary programs and curriculum development with her teaching teams with high emphasis on Practical LIfe and social-emotional development. She earned her Associate Early Childhood Montessori credential from MTEC in 2010 and continues her love of learning through workshops, conferences and training that benefit her classrooms and coworkers. Michelle loves music, being outdoors and spending time with her friends and family.

Nasrin, lovingly known as “Nana”, has been an educator and child care professional for over 40 years. She brings decades of experience to our children with a degree in Early Childhood Education and as a former Registered Nurse. Nasrin founded two daycare businesses in Southern & Northern California. She has had the privilege of being a teacher at Growing Light Montessori School since 2017. She speaks Farsi and English, the mother of two grown children, and grandmother to two grandchildren. She lives with her husband of 56 years in Walnut Creek.

Sheryl Hernandez was born in Mexico City and raised in the Bay Area. She speaks both English and Spanish fluently. Sheryl is passionate about working with children and growing as an educator alongside them.  In her free time Sheryl enjoys spending time with her dogs, ducks, and loved ones. She also enjoys listening to music and watching old movies. Sheryl is looking forward to getting to know each of your children.

Xiomara, or Xio to the children, has been with Growing Light Montessori School for many years and comes to us from the Kensington Campus. Xio grew up in the Bay Area in a Mexican American household. Xio is very passionate about Maria Montessori’s philosophy and work as she grew up attending Montessori schools. Xio completed her Montessori teacher certification at MTEC (Montessori Teacher Education Center) in all subject areas and loves being a Head Teacher. Xio enjoys teaching Spanish, Art, and Science to her students as well as sharing her love for meditation and yoga. Fun facts about Xio include that she used to train in the martial art of Kung Fu as well as teach it, and she enjoys rescuing and fostering animals of all shapes and sizes when they are in need. In her free time Xio loves singing, writing poetry and trying out new recipes and spending time with close friends and family.

Zhanna opened the GLMS Moraga campus with us and was taught by members of our teaching team at GLMS Oakland as a Montessori student! Zhanna was born in Uralsk, Kazakhstan and came to the U.S. at the age of 4 where she began attending a local Oakland Montessori School. She is passionate about the Montessori educational approach as she feels it helped her as a child  learn and adapt to the English language and American culture.

Zhanna is a graduate from Ohio Wesleyan University holding a degree in Early Childhood Education. She began working with children as a teenager and has loved it ever since. Zhanna has taken many of the classes offered through the Montessori Teacher Educational Center and looks forward to continuing her coursework. Zhanna is passionate about watching children grow as they explore the many resources a classroom has to offer. Outside of the classroom, Zhanna loves to hike, play sports, cuddle with her dogs and hang out with friends!