I was born in Colorado Springs. Up to the age nine my family moved with my father’s work. He was an electrical engineer working for a company that was involved in the wiring of the missile silos. We moved almost yearly living in mostly western states. One year my family moved four times including a stint
in Australia for five months where I attended fourth grade. Thankfully my family moved to California and settled down. After graduating from college I landed a job as a Montessori assistant then I got my Montessori training as a Montessori teacher.

I have been a Montessori convert ever since. My son who is now grown attended Montessori school as a toddler through 2nd grade. When my preschool Montessori school closed in 2015 I joined the Growing Light school. My Montessori training includes preschool and elementary training. My interests
include listening to audio books, cooking, gardening, sewing and jewelry making. And I am the proud owner of three cats.

Awa was born and raised in Senegal, West Africa. She speaks Woolof, French, Bambara, English and Spanish. She enjoys teaching cultural studies and different languages to the children. When she is not at school, she loves to cook or work on her foundation to help poor children and try to make a difference in the world.

Brenda was born and raised in Oakland, Ca. She speaks English and Spanish. She loves spending time with the children and doing creative arts and crafts with them. She enjoys doing story time too. When she’s not at school she absolutely loves spending time with her family and visiting family in Mexico.

My name is Demitrius Bright , my friends ,colleagues, and students call me Ms. Dee -Dee. I  was born and raised in the bay area.  My educational experience includes the study of early childhood development. My previous work experiences includes working in four different schools , all with different ways of teaching and techniques, but  with the same end goal in mind, the growth and healthy development of children.  I have worked in my past as a Montessori teacher @ GrandLake Montessori for about 8 years or more. After leaving Grand Lake Montessori, I worked in the Richmond school District for a few months and preferred, to be fully present with children. I previously worked at a health club in the childcare department , in the position of the childcare director for 7 years until closing due to the pandemic.  I enjoy being with my family, and friends, I enjoy good music, gardening , being near water, and stimulating the minds of children watching them learn and grow. I am pleased and excited to be a part of Growing Light Montessori, working with a great team to help children enhance growth and development.

My name is Faye. I was born in Guangdong China. I can speak Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. I have been working with children for about ten years. I enjoy working with children. I respect children as individuals. When I am outside work, I like music and reading books. And I also like to travel with my family.

Hi. My name is Felisa Aguas. You can call me Feliz. I was born in the Philippines. I speak Tagalog, English and Thai. I live in Oakland and I love its weather. I enjoy being with the angels (children). I call them angels for their innocence and sweetness. Being with them makes me feel younger and inspired. Teaching these little ones make me continue to teach. I belong to Wizard class and I love teaching songs especially interpretative or action songs. I teach dance and I also love telling stories and letting children discover things through exposing them to nature. Whenever I have time, I travel alone by public vehicle and enjoying thousands of different views along the road. I also love watching movies and comedy shows. I am blessed to be a part of Growing Light Montessori School.

Hyejin was born and raised in South Korea, and she has lived in Hawaii, Mongolia, Colorado Springs and California. She speaks Korean and English. She loves to do tea parties with the children and curriculum planning with the teachers. When she’s not at school she loves to travel with her family, cook and look for bakeries she’s never been to before.

I was born and raised in Los Angeles California now live here in Oakland. I am fluent in English and Spanish. I have been at Growing light for about 3 years now and I love working with children. I enjoy reading lots of books and doing arts and crafts. Family is very important to me & it’s who I spend most of my free time with.

Teacher Koey was born in Guangzhou China. Fifteen years ago she and her family immigrated to the USA. She speaks Cantonese, Mandarin and English. She likes to teach children to respect and love each other, and to help them learn about different cultures and continents. When she’s not at school she likes to travel to different places, like National Parks or to different countries. At home she likes watch movies and listen to music.

Lourdes was born in Guanajuato, and raised in Nuevo Leon, both in Mexico. She speaks Spanish and English. She likes to go on nature walks with the children, as well as doing art, singing songs, teaching Spanish and doing body movement activities with them. When she’s not at school she loves to cook and bake.

Teacher Lupita was born in Tepic, Nayarit Mexico. She was raised in Mexico and the Bay Area. She speaks Spanish and English. Special interests she enjoys sharing with the children are face painting, music and dance, arts and crafts, story time and Spanish. She’s interested in being outdoors and in fitness, reading inspirational books and writing in her journal.

Teacher Rebecca was born and raised in Southern California. She speaks English and studied French and Italian. She enjoys teaching the children cultural studies, math, science, arts and crafts and folk dancing. When she’s not at school she likes to spend time watching movies, reading, knitting and playing the cello.

Teacher Van was born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City in Viet Nam. She speaks Vietnamese, Cantonese, Mandarin and English. She loves working with children and enjoys activities like arts and crafts projects, teaching Montessori math and other classroom works. She loves sharing interesting stories with the children. When she’s not at school she absolutely loves going to the beach, traveling, shopping, watching movies, trying different foods and spending time with her dear family.

Hi Everyone!! My name is Viviana but you can call me Vivi. I have been a preschool teacher for about 4 years now. I’ve worked with school age children, middle schoolers, toddlers, and of course pre-K. I love spending my time with children, they are all so unique and fun it keeps my days going. I am originally from Antioch, CA but I have recently moved to Hayward with my husband. We have a pet bunny who’s name is Caramel. The days that I am not at school I do enjoy painting, going on walks, and trying new food spots!! Glad to be part of the GLMS team 🙂