Staff | Seabird Preschool| San Francisco

Our Staff

Our teachers and staff take pride in their commitment to making our program unique and dynamic. Our teaching staff is trained in early childhood education as well as child development and have the appropriate credentials for working with young children. Seabird Preschool teachers are committed to providing an enriching and nurturing learning environment that emphasizes all aspects of development. This includes providing activities and guidance in a play-like setting in order to promote social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. Our teachers are expected to foster positive relationships with the children and their families, while maintaining professionalism at all times. As specially trained, highly dedicated individuals, our staff takes a passionate interest in educating young children.

Kara Chen

Account Manager

Hi, my name is Kara Chen. I work mainly in the Seabird office and help out teachers in the classroom when needed. I love working with children and their families. I have 2 children of my own who attend high school.

For more information in Mandarin and Cantonese, you may speak with Kara.

Yulia Iskandar

General Manager

Hello, my name is Yulia Iskandar and I am a General Manager of Seabird Preschool. I have 18 units in Early Childhood Education and I am Pediatric CPR/First Aid certified. I have a Master’s Degree from University of Oregon in teaching foreign languages. I love children and find it gratifying to see them grow and develop new skills every day. I believe all kids deserve to have a safe and fun educational environment which we provide here at Seabird.

I have three children of my own and as a mom I know that play is crucial for children's development because play is their way to explore life and make new discoveries. At Seabird Preschool we strive to create and maintain an environment where children develop and learn through play and fun activities.

I look forward to building enriching relationships with Seabird students and their families in order to ensure success in preschool and in their future learning.

For more information in Russian, you may speak with Yulia.

Jennefer Gonzalez

Executive Director

Hello! My name is Jennefer and I have been in the education field and working with children for over ten years. I found my true passion when I began teaching preschool. Since then I have received my Bachelors Degree in Child Development with a focus in Early Childhood from San Francisco State University.

While working with children from ages 0-12, I found that the preschool age is a magical time in learning where children have an amazing gift to absorb everything around them. Creating a stimulating, cooperative, and rewarding environment for children to learn in is one of my main goals as an educator. Everyday is an opportunity to expand a child’s world and knowledge and I love doing so through play and conversation.

I look forward to being part of your child’s early learning years!

For more information in Spanish, you may speak with Jennefer.

Mary Gee

Lead Teacher

Hello, My name is Mary Gee. I was born and raised in Burma, now known as Myanmar, I speak fluently Burmese and English.

I’ve been teaching children since 1996. In these many years of early education, I never get tired of seeing a child’s innocence, curiosity, and enthusiasm. Watching them grow and develop into their own identity is one of the best things of this profession. Their questions and observations of the world truly bring a smile to my face each and every day.

As an early childhood educator, I am teaching children how to develop self help skills and independence but they also help me look at the world in a different perspective. This always gives me new ideas and keeps me creative on how to introduce new curriculum.

My other passion besides teaching is my love of baking. I have a degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management. I have lots of fun incorporating my love of cooking and baking into preschool curriculum. Sensory integration is very important for a child’s cognitive development. This ties into

everything a child is exposed to, social emotional and fine motor skills. From making playdough or banana bread to even making ice cream, these food exposures give a child the opportunity to learn in different, fun and exciting ways.

I am looking forward to being a part of this team and starting a new adventure with new friends and families here at Seabird Preschool.

For more information in Burmese, you may speak with Mary.

Maria Carrascoso

Teacher

My passion to educate children brought me to this career. I am a mature and caring individual who has an understanding of the developmental needs of children. I believe that all children learn and thrive in an environment that is stimulating, comforting and appropriate to children's abilities. I am committed to provide character development and quality education to them. My experiences include: planning and implementing daily activities based on approved curriculum and center philosophy; maintaining developmental records for each child; completing developmental profiles and communicating with parents about their child's daily activities. On a daily basis, I use creative projects to teach Math, Science, and Language.

I had the chance to live in Australia and Thailand. I had also visited some parts of Europe. My experiences in these countries have broadened my understanding of different cultures.

For more information in Tagalog, you may speak with Maria.

Sadaf Shahid

Teacher

Hi, I am Teacher Sadaf. I am excited to join the Seabird team. I am a Muslim immigrant originally from Pakistan, I speak English, Urdu and Hindi. I call San Francisco home where I reside with my husband and 8-year-old daughter. I received my ECE training in San Francisco City College and I am eager to put all the years of studying and preschool work experience to good use and for the benefit of young students.

I am deeply passionate about expanding every child’s horizon, I see it as my mission to elevate children’s learning experience by positive encouragement, daily discoveries, meaningful interactions and exploration.

From an early age I had passion for working with young children as well as

helping others. My aim as an early childhood educator is to observe how each child develops into a unique individual and learn how to support their holistic growth. I hope to build a love of learning as a strong foundation in children and help them become confident individuals who are able to express themselves.

My friends and colleagues describe me as a friendly, silly, and funny Sadaf. I look forward to meeting Seabird children and families.

For more information in Urdu and Hindi, you may speak with Sadaf.

Carolyn Arrospide

Teacher

Hello I’m teacher Carolyn, and I am so happy to meet Seabird families and become a part of the Seabird team. I look forward to serving the children and be part of the community.

I have 10 years of experience in working with children of different age groups: from infants to toddlers to preschoolers. I got my Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education at the City College of San Francisco and my Bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development at the University of Arizona global campus. I am the first in my family to graduate from university which makes my family very proud. I enjoy teaching and learning from children. We will explore a lot of great things this year together, and I look forward to every minute.

I love spending time with family, reading books, going on outdoor adventures, going to the gym and my favorite soul cycle class. I enjoy grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s. I love cats and my cat pet is called Buster Posey.

I am bilingual in English and Spanish.

For more information in Spanish, you may speak with Carolyn.

Tammy Zhao

Teacher

Hi I'm Tammy. I have over 10 years of experience working as an infant teacher with children 0 to 24 months.

I am professional, caring and dedicated teacher, infancy is my favorite age because this is the period of life when most of changes happen within the shortest amount of time. I find it joyful and rewarding to care for infants and see them grow and develop new skills every day.

I have a Bachelor of Arts in Child Adolescent Development from San Francisco State University.

For more information in Cantonese, you may speak with Tammy

Brannan Darmawi-Iskandar

Teacher

Hi I'm Brannan. I love working with young children especially with the kindergarten prep class 4-5 years old. I enjoy talking to them about different subjects, getting creative and working on arts and crafts projects, engaging in their pretend play. I have been with the Seabird team since the opening day, I joined as an assistant teacher and grew to lead my own class.

Alice Zeng

Office Manager

Hi I'm Alice. I have been with the Seabird team since the opening day. I process all paperwork and take care of billing. I am always happy to assist with any questions regarding the registration process or invoicing through Brightwheel.