| Our Staff |
Executive Director, Lucia
D’Souza is responsible for the day-to-day
management of the Learning Springs Academy and oversees all components
of the program.
Lucia has over 17 years of experience working in both elementary and
preschool regular and special education settings. She spent 4 years
as the School Director of a non public school in Palo Alto serving students
with extreme behavioral and emotional challenges. She has thirteen years
of direct classroom experience teaching in San Francisco and Palo Alto working with
children of all ages with special needs.
Lucia also taught regular education in Hong Kong and worked
with multi-cultural families as she lived in a wide range of countries
globally.
Lucia has a Masters of Education from Vanderbilt University in Nashville
TN and a Masters of Science in Psychology attained from the University
of East Asia, Macau. In addition to this, she has a Post-graduate
Certificate in Education from the University of Hong Kong and a Bachelor’s
of Science in Sociology from the University of the West Indies, Trinidad
and Tobago.
Contact Lucia |
Karina Medina is the teacher for the Red Room Karina comes to us with a Bachelor
of Arts in Child Development from SJSU, a Child Development Center Administration Certificate and
an Associate in Arts Degree from DeAnza College . She has worked at Rainbow Bridge Academy and at
the YMCA as a teacher and most recently, as the Assistant Director of their preschool program.
In addition to being bilingual in Spanish and English, Karina brings a wealth of experience in
coordinating family nights and networking parents with local community resources.
Contact Karina
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Elizabeth Jane Darrah has been enrolled since 2007 at San Jose State University, San Jose,
California for a degree in Special Education. She has tutored students with special disabilities and has
a passion for teaching. Ellizabeth is the teaching assistant for the four year old classroom.
Contact Elizabeth
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Brittnie Carlton is the Teaching Assistant in the Red Room and works in the
Extended Care Program. Brittnie is currently at West Valley College training to become a preschool teacher.
After graduating from Santa Teresa High School in 2005, she worked with pets and in cosmetics-related
organisations, and did voluntary work in schools for children and those needing special care.
Contact Brittnie
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Monique Vosika is the Front Office Administrative Assistant for the
Learning Springs Academy, Monique’s warm smile and positive
outlook are contagious and representative of the warm and welcoming
atmosphere we provide for children, parents and visitors to the Learning
Springs Academy.
Contact Monique
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Lead Teacher, Odessa Nunez has three years of experience working in childcare. She has
a Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology from the University of California in Los Angeles and is responsible
for helping to plan and coordinate the children's daily routine. Odessa is dedicated to making sure that the
children are happy, comfortable, interested and engaged in their daily routine. Odessa is currently pursuing
her Masters' degree from San Jose State University in Pediatric Occupational Therapy.
Contact Odessa
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Michelle Dailey has had extensive experience since 1996 in supervising and teaching children,
and in conducting educational activities and modifying lessons. She believes in the shaping of children at an
early age in character development through a positive learning environment and communication between families,
schools and the community.
Michelle has her Bachelor of Arts degree and her Multiple Subject CLAD Credential
from San Jose State University. Michelle is the Lead Teacher for the two and a half year old classroom.
Contact Michelle
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Shalini Agrawal has had varied experience in different areas after graduating in 1979 with an
MBA from the University of Allahabad, India. She worked as a Teacher assistant on several occasions between 1993
and 1996. She gained further experience as a Teacher?s Aide and Associate Teacher dealing with children with
special needs from 2006 to 2007 at Deanza College in Cupertino.
She is fond of preschool age children and wants
to inspire them to be lifelong learners. Shalini is the Assistant Teacher for the 3 year old classroom.
Contact Shalini
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Sandra Cervantes is the Teacher's Assistant in the Yellow Room working with our youngest class.
She has been working towards an AA at Ohlone Community College, Fremont and plans on transferring in the spring to
San Jose State University. She has had experience in working with children, mainly aged 5- 12, but also with 2-4
year-olds.
She was a Recreation Leader at the Washington High School, Fremont (1999-2002); Instructional
Assistant/Extended Care Leader at Saint Edward School, Newark, CA, (Oct. 2000-June 2008), helping students with
special needs with their class work and homework assignments, games and arts and crafts; and Program Director at
the City Of Fremont, Fremont, planning weekly field trips for 5-12 year- olds, and trained and supervised 22 staff
members (June 2006-August 2007).
Contact Sandra
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