Christy is a passionate former healthcare professional who transitioned into education to combine her background in science and caregiving with her love for supporting children’s growth and development. She is thrilled to bring her nurturing, organized, and compassionate approach to the Daisy classroom.

Christy is dedicated to creating an inclusive, peaceful, and secure environment where every child feels valued, confident, and free to thrive. She enjoys incorporating creative arts and hands-on science experiences into the classroom to spark curiosity and joy in learning. Christy looks forward to partnering closely with families to support each child’s unique journey and foster a lifelong love of learning.

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!

With over a decade of experience in early childhood education, Dria is a passionate and dedicated preschool teacher who brings both warmth and expertise to the classroom. For the past five years, she has specialized in the Montessori approach and taken on administrative roles, supporting both children’s development and the smooth operation of school programs. Dria believes in fostering independence, curiosity, and kindness in young learners. When she is not in the classroom, you can find her exploring the outdoors with her own children, embracing the beauty of nature and the joy of discovery.

Francisca shared that children’s sense of wonder and exploration has captivated her! Francisca has been a teacher for 13 years from preschool age to elementary school. She speaks fluent English and Spanish and loves teaching Spanish at every opportunity. After college, her passion for children moved her in the direction to learn more in the early stages of a child’s development and growth, achieving a certification in Early Childhood Education Teacher from DVC. She is excited to be part of the Growing Light family and eager to expand her Montessori education.

In her free time, she loves spending time with family and friends. She enjoys traveling, exploring beaches and lighthouses, appreciates learning about different cultures, gastronomy, going to live concerts, dancing, painting and immersing herself in nature’s beauty.

Gabriela was born in Lima, Peru, and brings over 16 years of experience in preschool education. She holds a certification in Early Childhood Education from Chabot College and loves being part of each child’s early learning journey. Gabriela is bilingual in Spanish and English and is dedicated to creating a nurturing, engaging environment where children feel supported to explore, learn, and grow.

Outside the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her family, creating art and crafts, dancing, traveling, and learning about different cultures.

Heather is currently working toward her degree in Early Childhood Education and has always had a passion for working with children. She finds great joy in supporting their growth, curiosity, and independence as they learn about the world around them each day. Heather strives to create a nurturing and peaceful environment where every child feels safe, supported, valued, and encouraged to be their authentic self.

Outside of the classroom, Heather enjoys spending time with her family, caring for her two dogs, and dancing.

GuoZhen (Jenny) Zhu is from China. She is trilingual, and can speak Mandarin, Cantonese and English. Jenny is interested in exploring children’s growth, education, and psychological development. Jenny is a mother of two children, and believes that children need positive and healthy guidance in order to reach their fullest potential.

I am Lisa Baranco-Smith and I am passionate about nurturing the growth of children into confident, compassionate, and independent thinkers. With a double master’s degree in education and as a current Ed.D. candidate in educational leadership, I have dedicated over 20 years to the art and practice of Montessori education. My journey in this field includes 8 years of varied Montessori training levels and hands-on experience teaching in both public and private settings, where I have witnessed firsthand the power of a well-prepared, child-centered learning environment.

My approach to teaching is deeply rooted in the principles of the Montessori philosophy, which focuses on creating an environment that encourages self-directed learning, respect for each child’s developmental stage, and a strong sense of autonomy. I believe in allowing children to take ownership of their learning, fostering a sense of curiosity and wonder that helps them explore their world with confidence.

As a Montessori educator, I place a high value on patience, empathy, and flexibility. I am committed to observing each child closely to understand their individual needs, strengths, and areas of growth. By doing so, I am able to tailor my approach to support each learner’s unique developmental path, ensuring they receive the guidance and space they need to thrive.

I am also deeply committed to creating environments that engage children in interactive wonder, where they can explore, learn, and grow. My goal is to empower children, not just academically, but also emotionally, socially, and ethically, by instilling in them a love for learning and a strong sense of self.

I look forward to continuing to serve as an advocate for the Montessori method and to nurturing the next generation of learners, helping them build the skills and mindset to succeed in an ever-changing world.

Lynda was born and raised in Algeria, where she earned a degree in Political and Administrative Law from the University of Tizi Ouzou. After moving to the United States with her family, she discovered a strong passion for early childhood education and went on to study at Diablo Valley College. She loves working with children and is committed to creating safe, nurturing environments where children feel supported as they explore, learn, and grow. Her background in law has strengthened her communication and organizational skills, which she brings thoughtfully into her work with children and families. Known for her patience, creativity, and empathy, Lynda values building meaningful relationships and is eager to continue growing as an early childhood educator while contributing positively to her community.

Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, gardening, and cooking traditional Algerian foods. She also enjoys listening to Algerian music, attending cultural events, and traveling to Algeria during the summer to spend time with extended family. She is a proud mother of two daughters who are both in elementary school.

Lynda is a dedicated early childhood educator with experience working with children from 12 months to 3 years old. She is passionate about supporting children’s social, emotional, and developmental growing in a nurturing Montessori-inspired environment. Lynda believes in fostering empathy, kindness, and independence by encouraging children to share, connect, and respect one another’s feelings. Through careful observation and child-led learning, she supports each child’s natural curiosity and helps them build confidence as they learn and grow.

Monica is an early childhood educator whose passion for working with children began at a young age. She started working with children at 12 years old in Peru, through a family-run childcare and educational business, an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to early childhood education.

During these early years, Monica worked closely with a family member with advanced training in education and psychology, supporting children with diverse abilities. This experience strengthened her observational skills, empathy, and belief in respectful, inclusive education.

Monica earned her Associate of Science for Transfer (AST) in Early Childhood Education from Las Positas College and has extensive experience working with young children, particularly in Montessori environments, where she supports each child’s individual development, independence, and emotional well-being.

Ranya is a dedicated educator who deeply values the individuality of each child. She believes that every child brings their own unique strengths, pace of development, and personality to the classroom, and she feels honored to support them on their learning journey.

Ranya especially enjoys guiding children toward independence and autonomy. She finds great joy in observing their confidence grow as they master new skills and discover their capabilities. For her, some of the most meaningful moments in the classroom are those quiet breakthroughs when a child realizes, “I can do this.”

She is passionate about preparing children not only for academic success, but for life – nurturing them with love, respect, and a strong foundation that will support their growth for years to come.

Saba Rizvi is originally from Pakistan, where she completed her bachelor’s degree before moving to the United States ten years ago. She finds working in Early Childhood Education deeply rewarding and believes that early childhood is a vital stage of development. Saba is passionate about nurturing young minds and providing a safe, caring environment that supports each child’s unique needs. She finds purpose in helping children feel secure, valued, and supported as they grow and learn. In her spare time, Saba enjoys cooking, experimenting with new recipes, and spending time with friends and loved ones.

Sofia is a graduating high school student at Acalanes who speaks both English and Russian. She hopes to pursue a future career in special education and truly enjoys working with children and building strong, positive connections with them. In her free time, Sofia loves writing stories and poetry, going for runs, and spending quality time with her family and friends. She is excited to support and care for children in a fun, safe, and nurturing environment.

Tina has been teaching in the East Bay since 2005. She grew up in the Bay Area and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Her teaching journey began as a toddler teacher, then a kindergarten teacher, and she is now a dedicated preschool educator.

Tina’s passion for teaching is rooted in a deep appreciation for each child’s natural kindness and enthusiasm for learning. She takes pride in creating inclusive, nurturing environments where curiosity, confidence, and compassion can flourish.

Throughout her years of teaching, Tina has learned the importance of being present with children—cherishing those special moments when a child’s understanding “clicks” and their eyes light up with discovery.

In her free time, Tina enjoys hiking and reading, activities that help her stay grounded and inspired. She looks forward to a joyful and meaningful year of learning together with her students and families.

Vanessa is a Bay Area native who enjoys going on walks with her two dogs. While completing her degree in Early Childhood Education, she was introduced to the Montessori philosophy and became inspired by its emphasis on fostering independence in young children. She is passionate about continuing to deepen her Montessori practice in her work.

Outside of the classroom, she enjoys reading, exploring new shows, and spending quality time with her dogs.