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Staff

Working with young children can be both rewarding and challenging. It takes the right combination of qualities to make a great teacher, first and foremost, dedication. Our teaching staff is dedicated to nurturing children as individuals and helping them learn to be loving, caring members of the classroom and the world around them. They strive to provide children with a developmentally appropriate, stimulating environment in which they can learn and grow to their fullest potential. Our teachers ensure that every child feels safe, welcome, and surrounded by God’s love.

At Good Samaritan Preschool, our staff is comprised of fully qualified caregivers. Every teacher meets or exceeds the licensing requirements set forth by the state of California. Several of our teachers have or are pursuing degrees in Early Childhood Education or related fields. All teachers are provided with CPR/First Aid training which is updated every two years. In addition, our staff has various opportunities for professional development throughout the year.

Our diverse staff of teachers comes with extensive backgrounds in Early Childhood Development. They provide a wonderful blend of experience and knowledge which they bring into the classroom each and every day. We value our teachers and know they are the foundation to a successful school. We welcome you to contact us for a tour of our school and meet some of the wonderful, loving teachers at Good Samaritan Preschool.

Ms. Lupe, Director

Education
Working on Early Child Development degree from DeAnza College and Foothill College online and direct study.

Experience
Babysitting many years and mother to two boys

Personal
Enjoys exploring outside with her sons. Loves to read and go on walks, and watch children explore and learn new things every day.

Start Date
January 2016

Ms. Stacey, Assistant Director

Education
I received my education in Early Child Development from De Anza College, Certified in Pediatric CPR and First Aid

Experience
I have been working with children for over 25 years. I have worked at Good Samaritan Preschool since 1997, and been the Assistant Director since 2006. I specialize in curriculum development and staff development.

Personal
I have 4 children. Favorite thing to do is spending time with my family and friends.

Start Date
September 1997

Ms. Gretchen, Office Manager

Good Sam Teachers-51Education
BSEE from Northwestern University, MBA from Case
15 ECE Units

Experience
I have been working for Good Samaritan Preschool since 2005 as a volunteer then a staff person, I manage the billing software, deposits and children’s files.

Personal
I am a member of the Good Samaritan Church and have put all three of my children through Good Sam Preschool.

Start Date
September 2008

Ms. Laura, Infant Teacher

img_0012Education
Mission College Accounting Program
Working on ECE units

Experience
13 years in industry
Bright Angels Montessori

Personal
Likes to travel, cook, garden and clean

Start Date
October 2016

Ms. Janice, Infant/Toddler Teacher

Education
21 units in Early Childhood Education from De Anza, West Valley and San Jose City College. Child CPR and pediatric first aid certified

Experience
30+ years as a preschool teacher, working with ages infant through school age. Has a genuine love for children.

Personal
Three grown children and three grandchildren. Enjoys spending time with family, and walks on the beach with her dog, movies and traveling

Start Date
May 2017

Ms. Huiling, Infant/Toddler Teacher

Good Sam Teachers-21Education
Graduated with Early Childhood Education from Guangzhou Normal School of Pre-school Education in China: 2009. Advanced study in Early Childhood Education from Guangdong Teachers College of Foreign Language and Arts 2009-2011

Experience
Five years a pre-school teacher working with children from 3-6 years old prior to coming to Good Sam

Personal
I love cooking and traveling, especially with children

Start Date
January 2016

Ms. Gia, Infant/Toddler Teacher

Education
Associates degree including Early Childhood Development courses

Experience
20+ years working with infants and toddlers, as well as preschool-age children

Personal
I have 5 children of my own, as well as grandchildren. I love to read, journal and watch movies

Start Date
February 2023

Ms. Gouri, Afternoon Toddler Teacher

Education
MA in Sociology
24 ECD units from De Anza
CPR/First Aid trained

Experience
11½ years in the childcare field

Personal
I enjoy being with kids. I love to spend time with my family. Traveling and listening to music are my hobbies.

Start Date
Rejoined Good Sam March 2018

Ms. Lakshmi, 2/3 Combination Teacher

Education
Masters in Computer Science
ECE Units completed

Experience
5+ years working with young children

Personal
Compassionate and dedicated. Enjoys gardening, reading and listening to music.

Start Date
August 2023

Ms. Perla, 2/3 Combination Teacher

Education
Bachelor of Science in Commerce from University of San Carlos, Philippines
Early Childhood Development at Montessori Teacher Education Center

Experience
13 years at a Montessori Preschool in Sunnyvale

Personal
Loves watching the Warriors, her favorite team, and spending time with family and friends. Also does needlepoint.

Start Date
August 2021

 

Ms. Grace, 2/3 Combo Teacher

Good Sam Teachers-63Education

AA Degree in Early Childhood Development from DeAnza College

Experience

3 years full-time Teacher Assistant at Safari Kid School, 6 years weekend volunteer at Organization of Special Needs Families (OSF) Learning Center, 9 months volunteering at Good Sam Preschool

Personal

My favorite activities are: teaching, being outdoors, swimming , playing with animals, watching movies and spending time with family and friends.

Start Date

January 2017

Ms. Maria, 3s Teacher

Education
20 ECE units at De Anza

Experience
Babysitting, 4 years teaching preschool

Personal
Loves hanging out with friends, going river rafting, amusement parks, ziplining

Start Date
August 2024

Ms. Esme, 3/4s-PreK Teacher

Education
17 ECE units, and currently taking additional Child Development classes at Mission College and De Anza to get an AA

Experience
Worked in 3 home-based daycares, Mom of a 2-yr-old, babysitting

Personal
Loves food, shopping, coffee, and spending time with her growing family

Start Date
Mar 2022

Ms. Ploy, PreK Teacher

Education
AA in Social & Behavioral Science from De Anza College
37 CDC Units
Pediatric First Aid and CPR AED qualified

Experience
Babysitting for siblings
Volunteer at De Anza Child Care Center
Teacher at Good Sam Preschool
Teacher’s Assistant at Children’s Learning Adventure (Las Vegas, NV)

Personal
I love working with young children, and love seeing them grow up.
I like to cook, go for walks, and spend time with friends and family.

Start Dates
Aug 2017-Jan 2018
July 2021

Ms. Sarah, Music Teacher, Floater


Working toward Childhood Development degree and Early Intervention degree at Mission College

Experience
Babysitting and nanny for children of all ages

Personal
I love working with young children and children with special needs. Outside of work, I enjoy singing, reading, drawing and writing poetry.

Start Date
February 2015

Ms. Sharon, Breaks, Mandarin Teacher

Education
BA in Business Management in China, Child Development studies at De Anza, UC Davis and CSU Hayward.

Experience
Have been working with children since 2001; 13 years at a Montessori school

Personal
I enjoy working with children. In my leisure time I enjoy listening to music, reading cooking, traveling and spending time with my friends and family.

Start Date
April 2015

Ms. Ciera, Floater

Education
Early Childhood Education Certificate of Specialization from Foothill College

Currently enrolled at Foothill College with a focus on Special Education and Inclusion


Experience
Leader Aide at YMCA After School Care Program at Meyerholz Elementary School
Leader at YMCA Summer Camp

Personal
Ciera has a twin sister and loves spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys the beach, camping and Disneyland.

Start Date
June 2021

Ms. Autumn, School-Age Teacher

Education
Sophomore at Cal State Fullerton

Experience  Two summers working with school-agers at Good Sam

Personal
I attended Good Sam from infancy through elementary school (summer program). In my free time, I like to hang out with friends, draw and watch movies

Start Date
June 2023