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Katherine Michiels, Founder
A graduate of San Francisco State University with a major in biology and a minor in dance, Michiels continued her studies at Skyline College, intending to become a physical therapist. Instead, she met and was profoundly influenced by David Giveans and his progressive early-childhood teaching. At his suggestion, she studied the British Infant Schools in London, and later visited more than 50 educational facilities in various countries. Michiels’s daughter, Mary Katherine, graduated from KMS.
"All my life I have been drawn to children and felt their joy. When I realized I wanted to make a difference in this world, I decided I could do it best by working with and being an advocate for children and childhood. Katherine Michiels School is the result."
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Maria Luna, Director of Preschool, Kindergarten, Dance and Spanish Programs
Maria Luna has been at KMS since 1983, and is the parent of a KMS Graduate. She is a qualified teacher with over 25 years of experience and a BA in Humanities. Maria has been teaching children from Preschool to 8th grade in public and private schools in the Bay Area, she's a professional dancer with Ballet Folklorico Ensambles. Over the years, she has developed creative, innovative programs and curriculums that have reached a large number of students.
Mrs. Luna has collaborated with educational organizations such as World Arts Wests and Young Audiences of Northern California. She has been a KMS Director for the last four years.
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Yolanda Ancheta, Infant & Toddler Program Director
Ancheta earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from the National Teachers College in Manila, the Philippines, majoring in history and minoring in library science. She taught high school for seven years, and in 1993 received her Certificate of Completion in early childhood education from the City College of San Francisco. Two years later Ancheta joined KMS where she says she finds inspiration?and challenge?in her young students’ intelligence, eagerness and curiosity.
"My goal is to provide a happy and successful beginning to the child’s learning experience away from the home, with the hope that such a beginning will have a lasting effect on that child’s future development."
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Randall Johnson, Elementary Director
Johnson joined KMS in 1985 as an art specialist and preschool teacher, and became Kindergarten teacher in 1993 and Elementary Director in 1995. A graduate of Washington State University, Johnson continued his studies at the San Francisco Art Institute. He also has trained with High Scope and Reggio Emilia and project-based learning, and received additional training in crisis prevention and intervention from Hanna Boys Center in Sonoma. A member of the Open Mind Board of Trustees, Johnson comes from a family of educators; two sisters are teachers, and his mother, Arden Johnson, taught Kindergarten for more than 20 years. Johnson’s son, Sam, and daughter, Elly, graduated from KMS.
"I've learned so much about what truly matters in life from working with the children and staff here. KMS has taught me an amazing amount about what children can do if given the chance. I am proud to be helping to create a progressive, innovative school that children love."
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Roberta DesBouillons, Chef and Founder of Apron Strings Culinary School
Founder of Apron Strings Culinary School in 2001, Roberta is Chief Chef. A graduate of the renowned Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, she brings with her more than 20 years of culinary experience. Roberta started baking bread when she was 11 years old and is still seen with flour under her nails. All of her classes are hands-on and use skills such as math, dexterity, common sense, and critical thinking. Apron Strings uses fresh, seasonal ingredients turning them into dishes from all over the world. The kids are not only cooking but also learning how to use mixers, blenders, food processors and knives.
"I have been able to combine my passion for food with my love of teaching and sharing my knowledge. Cooking is a life skill that can ignite creativity and bring memories that can last a lifetime."
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Allen Kushinsky, Elementary Teacher
To Allen Kushinsky, teaching isn't just a job, it is a lifetime commitment to both the academic, social and emotional development of children, as well as his own personal and professional growth. He has a Masters degree in Elementary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and an Elementary school teaching license in New York and California. Prior to coming to KMS, Allen was a collaborative co-teacher at Beit Rabban Day School in New York where he designed and implemented a hands-on interdisciplinary curriculum called "Explorations," which empowered students to construct their own knowledge through inquiry personal choice, and individual discovery. He is able to create thorough, flexible lessons conducive to a diverse classroom of learners while at the same time, establishing meaningful relationships with all students entrusted to
his care. His hand-on, child-centered interdisciplinary approach to working with children within a diverse and inclusive community of teachers, students and parents is an excellent match for the goals and mission of the KMS community.
“I was five years old when I first stepped into my classroom. My teacher, Shelly, led me to the library and asked me to pick one book, any book I liked. The decision proved harder than one would think for a 5 year old: pictures of dinosaurs, volcanoes, lightening storms, space ships, and on and on. Finally I picked a book on volcanoes. My teacher read with me for 10 minutes, and then promised me that I would soon be building my own volcano. At that moment, I was hooked on the whole going-to-school thing. Two important events happened that year -- I built that volcano and Shelly became my best friend. To this day, she’s my inspiration. I plan to do the same for every one of my students…to learn, teach, and, inspire, and grow together. “
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Gaydean Valdez, Preschool Head Teacher
A classroom and garden teacher, Valdez received her certification from the Center for Horticultural Therapy Studies in Denver, and is a member of the American Horticultural Therapy Association, Northern California Chapter. Valdez joined KMS in 2002, bringing to the school her experience as a vocational supervisor and counselor for developmentally disabled adults and disturbed teens. She received her preschool teacher certificate from the American College of Early Childhood Education.
"I love being a teacher. Working with young children and their families is a daily gift. Each child is so unique with his or her own personality, temperament and talents. Yet they all show me the same thing-how to love unconditionally."
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Libby Olguin, Toddler Head Teacher
Libby graduated from San Francisco State University in 2002, majoring in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Community Involvement. It was during this time that she became involved with a non-profit organization as a counselor and program supervisor serving at-risk youth. Part of her role with this organization included teaching in the juvenile hall and adult jail setting. It became abundantly clear that teaching was a path she wanted to continue to expand upon. As the oldest of eight siblings, she had an idea as to what age groups she might work especially well with. As a result she returned to school, this time to obtain her permit as an Early Childhood Educator/ Master Teacher. She was a nanny for several families with children in various age groups (0-8 years old), a substitute teacher in a school with children ranging in age (5-13 yrs old) and also taught in a preschool.
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Lina Gutierrez, Infant Head Teacher
Rodelina Gutierrez, called Lina by the children, comes from a family of educators. She graduated Cum Laude from Pangasinan State University in the Philippines with a Bachelors Degree in Secondary Education. Her teaching experience includes teaching deaf students using sign language both in the United States and in the Philippines. She has also taught children of all ages and with special needs. Lina has been granted a certificate in Early Childhood Education from City College of San Francisco. She also consistently attends trainings and seminars about education for her professional growth.
"I love seeing the children develop independence, practice their curiosity and natural love for exploration that leads to discoveries, and most of all develop a positive sense of self, discover their unique individuality and dream big and believe it will happen if they try. At the end of each day that I work with the children, my rewards are the hugs and kisses from these little ones and the appreciation of the families. As the years pass by and the children are getting older, my greatest reward is seeing them continuing to grow to be productive individuals. Children are the inspiration in my life."
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Michael Mason, Elementary Teacher
Mason received a Bachelors in Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute. Art has always been a part of his life. Mason comes from a family of educators; His mother, aunt and grandmother were all teachers. He started out his career as an aide with a special education class in Southern California at John Tynes Elementary School while still in High School.
"I love the inquisitive nature of kids. They are so full of life. Teachers throughout my life have molded and made me who I am today. I remember the ones who really had an impact on me. I want to be that teacher. I believe in being fair and following through with each lesson. I also feel that the most important aspect of my teaching style is constant positive feedback to the children."
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Ines Portugal, Preschool Teacher
Portugal has been with KMS since 2005. She earned a Bachelors Degree in Peru and came to the United States with the International Junior Achievement Program. Portugal is currently taking child development classes at City College of San Francisco. She has worked in other schools in the Bay Area and for four years as a Preschool teacher.
"I adore children and all the wonder they bring to the simplest of circumstances, whether it is accompanying them on their journey through mud puddles, learning that first word or that first picture that includes more than red crayola marker, they never cease to amaze me! I am eager to learn and improve constantly. I am a strong believer in a natural approach and would love to share my love of nature, animals, and creativity with your child. I am glad to be within the wonderful KMS family."
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Samantha Luong, Preschool Teacher
Luong is an experienced teacher having taught in San Francisco at the YMCA Stonestown Preschool for 5 years and at Bright Horizons for one year. She is attending City College of San Francisco to achieve her Director's permit.
Samantha has been a volunteer for the past 10 years in her church as a teacher for toddlers, now she has taken the responsibility of directing the program:“It is an amazing challenge, but I love to be challenged.”
"I'm very excited to start another chapter of my teaching career at KMS. I believe all children have their own unique and unfound abilities. Let's unfold them together."
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Samuel Cerdena, Preschool Teacher
Cerdena started working with children through volunteer work at Faith Bible Church of San Francisco, and has worked and directed several programs that catered to the care of children from preschool to High School ages. He also worked in the Kindergarten classroom at Jose Ortega Elementary School. Cardena earned his Associate Degree with a major in Child Development at City College of San Francisco.
"Here at KMS, I not only get to practice what I know, but I get to experience the warmth in knowing that I’m not just teaching these kids, but also that they are teaching me as well. I hope to use some of my skills and special interests, like playing the guitar or telling jokes, to be a positive influence in the lives of these kids that hopefully will be remembered."
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Carlota Arteaga, Preschool Teacher
Arteaga worked as a High School advisor for six years in her native Peru. She is currently working to complete her degree in Child Development at City College of San Francisco. One of her goals at KMS is to further develop the Spanish curriculum for infant and toddlers with Maria Luna. Arteaga is the mother of two children, ages 17 and 4 years old.
"I love the way KMS lets the children explore and choose, so that they can learn and discover new things on their own. I admire the teamwork and cooperation that exists between the teachers."
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Josefina Plata, Infant Teacher
Plata graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines and teaches at her church's Sunday school. She is the mother of two children, an 18 year old daughter and a 28 year old son.
"The most rewarding thing about working at KMS is being able to teach and influence the children I work with and watch how they learn and develop. The children are all so precious and I love every moment I spend with them."
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Lea Lamzon, Infant Teacher
Lamzon is a teaching assistant originally from the Philippines. She volunteers as a Teacher’s Aide at private schools, and has always worked with children as a babysitter and volunteer. She is also a Certified Nursing Assistant.
"I decided to become a Teacher’s Aide because for as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. I enjoy being part of a team of people that share the same passion for working with children and to work with all the beautiful kids, wonderful parents and supportive staff."
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 - "All my life I have been drawn to children and felt their joy. When I realized I wanted to make a difference in this world
more...
- Katherine Michiels
Founder
- OPEN HOUSES
- ELEMENTARY: October: 18, 2008: 9-11:30am
- ELEMENTARY: November: 22, 2008: 9-11:30 am
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