Ana is originally from Guatemala and is married with two wonderful children. She began her teaching journey in 1999 and has loved every moment of it since. Her career in early childhood education started as a teacher’s aide at South of Market Child Care, where her own child was enrolled. As she gained experience, Ana pursued her passion further by taking Child Development courses and earning her Associate’s Degree in 2012.

Throughout her career, Ana has participated in numerous professional trainings and has had the opportunity to work in a variety of school settings. She spent 18 years at her previous school, where she taught Transitional Kindergarten for 11 years and also supported the after-school program.

As a teacher, Ana loves connecting with each child individually – creating a safe, nurturing, and hands-on learning environment where children can explore, discover, and grow.

One of Ana’s greatest joys is singing! She performs in a choir every Sunday and brings that same musical energy into the classroom, where she loves singing with the children and filling the day with warmth and joy.

Ana has been part of the Montessori world since 2008, beginning her journey at Glen Park Montessori, where she worked from 2008 to 2015 in both teaching and administrative roles. During that time, she supported classrooms as a co-teacher while completing her Early Childhood Education courses and also contributed to parent communication, event planning, and school operations.

A fluent Spanish speaker, Ana especially enjoys leading Spanish circle times and sharing the beauty of the language with children. She is deeply passionate about the Montessori philosophy and values creating joyful, hands-on learning experiences that nurture curiosity and confidence.

Ana is currently pursuing her Associate’s Degree in Child Development and her Site Supervisor Permit, continuing her commitment to growth and leadership in early childhood education.

When she’s not in the classroom, Ana loves cooking, traveling, and spending quality time with her family.

With over fifteen years of combined childcare experience – beginning as a nanny, progressing to a Lead Montessori Teacher, and later transitioning into an Associate Director – she has continued to learn and grow throughout her career. She holds an American Montessori Society Certification, an AA degree in Child Development from Chabot College, a BA in Human Development from Patten University, and an IBM Project Management Fundamentals Certificate. The health and safety of children and their families are always her top priority, and she values collaborating with families to support every aspect of a child’s development. She follows the Montessori pedagogy and has also gained experience with the Reggio Emilia and play-based approaches.

Passionate about early education, she enjoys researching and exploring various styles of care for young children. Outside of work, she can often be found chasing waterfalls on hikes with her child, wine tasting with friends, or exploring local restaurants in search of great food and atmosphere.

Crystal is honored to join a school that plays such an important role in the lives of children, families, and educators. She brings more than 20 years of experience in education, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, and an AMS Montessori credential. Her curiosity about children’s developmental stages first drew her to this field, and it continues to inspire her work today.

Crystal values integrity, empathy, and strong character, and strives to lead by example in each of these areas. Her goal is to support students, families, and teachers with care, collaboration, and a deep respect for the whole child.

She is especially passionate about nurturing emotional intelligence and character development. Crystal is a published author on these topics and enjoys creating parent education workshops and professional development opportunities that strengthen communication and connection with children.

In her free time, she enjoys researching topics related to behavior and neurodivergence, experimenting with vegan versions of her favorite recipes, and spending time with her fiancé and family.

Deepisha was born and raised in the beautiful Fiji Islands and moved to the United States a few years ago, which she now happily calls home. She loves spending her time reading, listening to music, and enjoying special moments with her nephews. Deepisha believes that every child is capable, curious, and full of potential, and she feels grateful to be part of their learning journey each day. She speaks Hindi and English, and is also learning Spanish!

Dina is originally from Guatemala and is happily married with two wonderful sons. She has been working with children since 2021 and finds great joy in supporting their growth and curiosity. Dina is thrilled to join the Growing Light Montessori School community and looks forward to building meaningful connections with both the children and their families!

Emelia grew up in Iran and moved to the United States in 2010. She is currently pursuing her degree in Psychology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Passionate about creativity, Emelia loves arts and crafts and finds joy in spending her free time hiking and connecting with nature.

Her love for working with children has been a constant in her life, and she is deeply inspired by supporting their growth through education. Emelia is thrilled to join the Growing Light Montessori community, where she hopes to help create a nurturing, creative, and supportive environment that allows every child to shine and thrive.

Faye was born in Guangdong, China, and is fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. She brings over ten years of experience working with children, demonstrating a deep commitment to supporting their growth, curiosity, and love of learning. Faye believes in fostering a nurturing and engaging environment where each child feels valued, inspired, and encouraged to explore the world around them.

In her free time, Faye enjoys listening to music, reading, and traveling with her family, finding joy in new experiences and cultural exploration. She brings her passion for learning and her nurturing spirit to the Growing Light Montessori School community, contributing to an environment where children can flourish academically, socially, and emotionally.

Felisa “Feliz” Aguas was born in the Philippines and speaks Tagalog, English, and Thai. She now lives in Oakland and loves the wonderful weather. Feliz finds joy and inspiration in being with her students, who always make her feel young at heart. She especially enjoys teaching new songs – especially those with movement or interpretative actions – sharing dance, telling stories, and helping children explore and discover the natural world.

In her free time, Feliz enjoys traveling on her own using public transportation, taking in the many sights along the way. She also loves watching movies and comedy shows! Feliz feels truly blessed to be part of the Growing Light Montessori School family.

Fernando was born and raised in the Bay Area and brings over 10 years of teaching experience to his work with children. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with an education concentration from San Francisco State University. Fernando loves sharing his curiosity and passion for discovering new ideas and experiences with his students.

As a fluent Spanish speaker, he values cultural diversity and is excited to share Spanish with the children in his classroom.

Outside of school, Fernando enjoys cooking, hiking, gardening, creating art, practicing yoga, and martial arts. He feels grateful to be part of the Growing Light Montessori community and enjoys growing alongside the children and collaborating with such caring educators.

Gladis brings over a decade of dedication, experience, and passion for nurturing young learners. An Oakland native with roots in Mexico, Gladis’s first language is Spanish, and she takes great joy in sharing her language and culture with the children, fostering a rich and inclusive learning environment.

In the classroom, Gladis actively engages with her students in a variety of activities, including art projects and outdoor play, encouraging creativity, exploration, and hands-on learning. She believes in supporting each child’s natural curiosity and in helping them develop both independence and confidence through meaningful experiences.

Outside of school, Gladis enjoys spending quality time with her family and cherishes opportunities to connect with her community. She feels privileged to be part of the Growing Light Montessori School family and is committed to contributing to the growth, well-being, and joy of every child in her care.

Jennifer was born and raised in Oakland and now lives in Hayward. She speaks both English and Spanish, and comes from a close-knit family with three younger siblings. Jennifer has a passion for working with children and first discovered this joy while volunteering in her youngest sibling’s elementary school, where she supported students with their learning and spent quality time with them during outdoor activities.

Outside of school, Jennifer loves going to concerts, doing arts and crafts, watching movies, traveling to Mexico, and spending time with family and friends. She is thrilled to be part of the Growing Light Montessori School team and enjoys nurturing children’s curiosity, creativity, and love of learning every day.

Koey was born in Guangzhou, China, and immigrated to the United States with her family over fifteen years ago. She speaks Cantonese, Mandarin, and English and loves helping children learn to respect and care for one another while exploring the diversity of cultures and continents around the world.

Outside the classroom, Koey enjoys traveling, watching movies, and listening to music. She brings her nurturing spirit and passion for learning to the Growing Light Montessori community, where she encourages curiosity, kindness, and discovery every day.

Laura is from Oakland, CA, and has been working with children for about eight years. She has had the joy of working with infants, toddlers, and school-aged children. One of her favorite parts of being a teacher is learning from the children just as much as they learn from her.

She is excited to meet everyone and begin working with both the children and their families. As a teacher at Growing Light Montessori School, Laura’s goal is to create a warm, nurturing, and inclusive classroom where every child feels safe, appreciated, and eager to learn.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, walking, working on arts and crafts, and reading.

Liz was born and raised in Oakland and has been working in Early Childhood Education for six years. Her love for working with children began at a young age, helping her mom babysit for friends and family. Liz started her professional journey as a substitute teacher, gaining valuable experience in a variety of classrooms and learning different teaching approaches along the way.

She is currently a student at Merritt College, completing her prerequisite courses before transferring to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. Liz enjoys bringing her passion, curiosity, and dedication to the Growing Light Montessori community, where she is supporting children’s growth, exploration, and love of learning every day.

Lourdes was born in Guanajuato and raised in Nuevo León, Mexico. She speaks both Spanish and English and enjoys creating a fun and engaging learning environment for children. With over 20 years of teaching experience, Lourdes loves going on nature walks, exploring the outdoors, and guiding children through art projects, songs, Spanish lessons, and movement activities that inspire curiosity and creativity.

Outside of school, she enjoys cooking and baking. Lourdes is enjoys being part of the Growing Light Montessori community, where she supports the children as they explore, discover, and grow every day.

Mariah brings experience as an after-school support teacher as well as a youth support assistant and volunteer coach. Mariah is passionate about supporting children’s natural curiosity, creativity, and confidence within a calm and engaging environment. She enjoys guiding children as they transition from the school day through hands-on activities, movement, and meaningful connection. Currently working toward her Early Childhood Education degree, Mariah brings a kind, patient presence to her work and delights in learning alongside the children while nurturing their independence, self-expression, and growth.

Mya grew up in Long Beach, California, and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development, with a minor in Video Games. She has a passion for working with children of all ages and backgrounds and strives to create a classroom that is safe, inclusive, and full of joy. Mya believes in supporting children’s growth through play, creativity, and confidence-building, while partnering with families to celebrate each child’s unique strengths. Her goal is to spark curiosity, nurture social and emotional development, and inspire a lifelong love of learning.

Outside of the classroom, Mya enjoys playing volleyball, roller skating, and spending time with friends and family. She is thrilled to be part of the Growing Light Montessori community, where she can share her love of learning and support children in exploring, discovering, and thriving every day.

Rebecca was born and raised in Southern California and speaks English, with studies in French and Italian. She enjoys creating a rich and engaging classroom environment where children can explore cultural studies, math, science, arts and crafts, and folk dancing. Rebecca loves helping children discover new ideas, express themselves creatively, and develop a lifelong love of learning.

Outside of school, she enjoys watching movies, reading, knitting, and playing the cello. Rebecca enjoys being part of the Growing Light Montessori community for over 25 years and looks forward to continuing to nurture curiosity, creativity, and joy in every child she works with.

Rebecca came all the way from Nashville when we opened the Moraga Campus and now joins us at our Oakland Campus! She was lucky enough to spend the majority of her childhood education in Montessori—from age two to middle school—and it nurtured her curiosity and encouraged her to find her own unique interests. Rebecca was a creative writing major at Interlochen Arts Academy. Rebecca spent a year volunteering at the Association for des Quartiers IDMAJ in Morocco where she taught English as a second language to children in the slums of Casablanca. Rebecca then returned to work at Abintra Montessori school in Nashville as an assistant guide in the primary classroom and a helper to children with special needs. Rebecca worked at One Tree Tutorial Enrichment, a unique program that blended a homeschool experience with in-person Montessori education. In addition to lessons in the sensorial and practical life areas, Rebecca presented art instruction to both primary and elementary students. Rebecca believes strongly that everyone is an artist, and loves to combine her interests in cultural studies with her passion for art.

Rocio was born and raised in Oakland, California and is a proud mother of two children. She is fluent in Spanish and English and enjoys spending time with her family and exploring the outdoors. Rocio is passionate about supporting children’s learning and curiosity and loves creating experiences that are both joyful and engaging. She is thrilled to join the Growing Light Montessori School community and looks forward to fostering a love of discovery and fun in every child.

Saras was born in the beautiful Fiji Islands and moved to the United States in 2006 with her husband and two children. She has been working with young children in preschool setting since 2009 and finds great joy in supporting their growth, curiosity, and discovery. Saras believes that every child is unique and special, and she loves nurturing their individual strengths and talents.

A proud grandmother of three, Saras cherishes spending time with her grandchildren and considers them her world. She speaks Hindi and English, and in her free time, she enjoys cooking, gardening, and tending to her rose garden at home. Saras feels deeply grateful to be part of the Growing Light Montessori community and treasures the opportunity to share her love, care, and passion for learning with the children every day.

Tess was born in Berkeley and raised in Oakland, California. She graduated from Head-Royce School and is currently pursuing her Associate’s Degree in Child Development at Merritt College. Tess holds both an Assistant Teacher Certificate of Proficiency and an Associate Teacher Certificate of Proficiency.

Before joining Growing Light Montessori, Tess gained valuable experience working with children as a soccer referee for girls youth teams and a nanny. She is excited to be part of the GLMS community and looks forward to nurturing each child’s creativity, confidence, and curiosity.

In her free time, Tess enjoys making art, playing tennis, and cooking for her friends and family.

Van was born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and speaks Vietnamese, Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. She loves working with children and enjoys guiding them through hands-on activities such as arts and crafts, Montessori Math lessons, and storytelling that sparks curiosity and imagination.

Outside the classroom, Van enjoys going to the beach, traveling, trying new foods, shopping, watching movies, and spending quality time with her family. She is excited to be part of the Growing Light Montessori community and looks forward to nurturing children’s creativity, curiosity, and love of learning every day.

Yesenia began her Montessori journey in 2012 and immediately fell in love with the philosophy. She truly enjoys supporting children as they reach important milestones and grow into independent, confident learners, finding it deeply rewarding to witness their curiosity and growth.

Outside the classroom, Yesenia enjoys crafting, playing video games, and watching Dragon Ball – she’s a huge fan! Yesenia brings her passion, creativity, and love of learning to the Growing Light Montessori community.