Staff

Education:

A.A. Liberal Studies, emphasis in early childhood education from De Anza College

30+units in Child Development

Work Experience:

10+years experience with early child development

5 years with Action Day Primary Plus

-2 years in the Infant/Toddler Room at Phelan Preschool

-3 Years in the 2-3 Toddler Room at Amber Preschool

Special Interests & Hobbies:

Spending time with my Husband Justin and my one and a half year old son Logan, Spending time with Family & Friends,

Quilting, Relaxing with a good book or movie, Watching San Jose Sharks Hockey

Goal for the Year:

My goal is to provide my students with the ability to communicate and create meaningful relationships with their peers and teachers. I want my students to know that they are truly special and that sky is the limit!

Quote:

“Sometimes the thing your students need most right now, has nothing to with what is on your lesson plan”

Pamela Nava

Work Experience:

I have worked with children for 10+ years and have always known working alongside little souls was my way to go. I began as a volunteer for Humane Society working with Girl Scouts advocating for animal rights and continued on working with children in behavioral therapy, special needs, Spanish lessons, tutoring and more throughout the years. I have loved all my jobs and feel immensely grateful to continue doing something I love while calling it “work”. I am uber excited to get to know your child!…continued below

My family is originally from Mexico City but I was born and raised in San Jose and have always loved it. I really don’t feel old but seeing our beautiful city evolve has been surreal and I am excited to see it continue to grow.

Hobbies and Interests:
Reading, painting, hiking, museums, dancing, volunteering,

Favorites
Color : Purple, Black, Teal
Season: Fall, Winter
Drinks: Tea, fresh fruit water
Fruit : Mangoes, Strawberries

Favorite Quote:“A person is a person, no matter how small” Dr. Seuss

Dahlia Duarte

Jackie Matthew

Education
High School Graduate
30 Child Development units from DeAnza College
I am currently continuing my schooling doing night and online classes working towards an A.A. in Early Childhood Education.

Work Experience
I have worked with young children for 10+ years
I have taught Preschool, Kindergarten, 4th to 8th Grades
Most of those years I have worked with 4 – 6 year olds (it’s my favorite age to teach!)
I have prepared lesson plans and activities for all academic areas and extracurricular activities with many cross curricular activities

Special Interests, Hobbies
Spending time with my son and family visiting amazing places like: Monterey Bay Aquarium, California Academy of Sciences, Great America, the beach and more!
Finding fun and inspiring projects or activities for my students
Going camping or snowboarding
Playing sports or games
Doing activities with friends

Goals for the Year
Maintaining an interesting and exciting environment with hands-on activities
Encouraging children to improve on their social skills with their classmates Working as a team with each child and their parents to help them learn
Helping each child grow up and be ready for Kindergarten

Della Clark

Work Experience
Della Clark started teaching at Action Day Primary Plus in 2015, but has been teaching since 2005. Last year, she taught Spanish to Junior Kindergarten through 5th grade. This fall, Mrs. Clark will be teaching in her first year as a Junior Kindergarten teacher at Primary Plus.

Special Interests, Hobbies
During Mrs. Clark’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband Derek and their two children Natalie (5 years old) and Nathan (2 ½ years old). As a family, they enjoy hiking, bowling, swimming, miniature golfing, and cooking together.

Goals for the School Year
As a Jr. K Teacher, my goal is to make learning fun and exciting in a variety of ways. I will encourage my students to always try their best, while providing them with the tools they need to succeed. I look forward to getting to know all of my students and having a great year.

Favorite Quote
“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” Henry Ford

Kindergarten

Tamara Brown

Education
B.S. in Elementary Education, Purdue University/Indiana University
Educator’s Licenses/Credentials in Indiana, Massachusetts, and California

Work Experience
18+ years lead teaching experience

Special Interests, Hobbies
Hiking, bicycling, music, football, family time

Goals for the Year
To make learning fun & for each student to feel as though he/she belongs.

Favorite Quote
“Sometimes, the smallest things take-up the most room in your heart.” – Winnie the Pooh

Carolyn J. McCaleb

Education
AA Liberal Arts, Cañada College
BA Child Development, San Jose State University
Psychology Minor, San Jose State University

Work Experience
Taught for 7 years at our Coventry Campus
Began teaching Kindergarten at Amber in fall 2000

Special Interests, Hobbies
Swimming
Nature enthusiast
Avid baseball fan – GO GIANTS!

Goals for the School Year
My goal is to help each child know that they are an important part of our class as we learn together.

Favorite Quote
“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning, but for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood” Fred Rogers

Mary Lou Rodriguez

Education
BA in Child Development, San Jose State University
Member of the California Kindergarten Association

Work Experience
20+ years teaching Kindergarten (one of her great passions)
10+ years Principal of Primary Plus Elementary School
Years of experience teaching 4th Grade, Technology, and Music

Special Interests, Hobbies
I enjoy dancing and spending time with friends and family – especially my grandchildren!

Favorite Quote
“Some people make things happen, some people have things happen to them, and some people don’t know what’s happening!”-John Madden

Christie Laborin

Education
Bachelor of Arts Social Science San Jose State University California Professional Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential National University

Work Experience
Primary Plus Kindergarten
First Grade San Jose Unified School District
Kindergarten San Jose Unified School District
Substitute Transitional K thru 5th grade

Special Interests
Watching my son play water polo, School site council for Pioneer High school Committee Member, Silicon Valley Princess Project, Spending time with family and friends for BBQ, and sporting events

Goal for the year
For each child to enjoy learning in a safe and loving environment and become a confident student leader.
Favorite Quote
“Follow your dreams and Don’t give up!”
-Unknown

Kindergarten - Allen

Traci Laszlo

Education
BS Early Childhood Education-Oregon State University
Held teaching credentials in the states of Oregon, Washington, and California
CLAD Certified

Work Experience
2+ years teaching in Aberdeen, WA
16+ years teaching 1st grade at our Amber Campus
Kindergarten at our Allen Campus since 2010

Special Interests, Hobbies
Traveling with my family and spoiling my pets
Relaxing and reading in the sun
Listening to music
Gardening and flowers

Kindergarten - Campbell

Leanne House

Education
BA Child Development & Education, San Jose State
University

Work Experience
16+ years experience working with children
7+ years Jr. Kindergarten teacher at Moorpark Campus
Began teaching Kindergarten at ADPP Campbell in 2014

Special Interests, Hobbies
I am very involved in Presentation & Bellarmine High School’s theatre programs. I am also involved with the Children’s Musical Theater of Shan Jose. If I am not in the classroom or the theater, I enjoy spending time with my family.

Kindergarten - El Quito

Deena Ichimura

Education
BA Childhood Development – San Jose State University

Work Experience
Began teaching at Primary Plus in 2001
Taught Jr. Kindergarten for 2+ years
Taught Pre-Kindergarten

Special Interests, Hobbies
Reading
Camping
Being outdoors
Spending time with family
Fostering dogs

1st Grade

Alisa Dietz

Education
Studied Liberal Studies, Ohlone College
BA in English, California State University, East Bay
Teacher Education Program, Calfornia State University, Monterey

Work Experience
4+ years teaching Kindergarten
6+ years teaching 2nd Grade
1+ year teaching 4th Grade
3+ years teaching 5th Grade
1+ year working as a Para-Educator

Special Interests, Hobbies
Hiking
Writing
Reading

Favorite Quote
“The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.” – Abraham Lincoln

Jillian Marchetti

Education
BA in Liberal Studies, Notre Dame de Namur University
Minor in Dance, Notre Dame de Namur University
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, California State East Bay University
Completed Post-Graduate Work at Fresno Pacific University

Work Experience
3+ years Lead Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
1+ year teaching 1st Grade

Special Interests, Hobbies
Dance/Performing Arts
Running
Reading
Traveling

Goals for the Year
Develop strong readers and writers;
Foster number sense (addition, subtraction, place value);
Discover by observing, analyzing, and problem-solving;
Learn about the community, geography, and culture;
Cultivate kind, safe, and respectful students;
Have fun learning!

Favorite Quote
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” Dr. Seuss

Ron Martin

Education
BA liberal Arts, San Jose State University
Business Administration Minor
Teaching Credential

Work Experience
8+ years Kindergarten Co-Teacher
6+ years 1st Grade Teacher
6+ years 2nd Grade Teacher
6+ years Principal of Primary Plus Elementary School

Special Interests, Hobbies
Softball
Backpacking
Running
Collectibles

Goal for the Year
To develop fun creative learning centers that address the diverse needs of all students.

Karlee LaHue

Education
Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois

Work Experience
7+ years in education, ranging from infant to 5th grade.

At Primary Plus:

1 year Kindergarten

2 years First Grade

2 years Second Grade

Special Interests, Hobbies
Coffee, Children’s Literature, trying new restaurants, and spending time with my family.

Goal for the Year
To instill a love of learning and grow the values of kindness and responsibility

Favorite Quote

Listen to the MUSTN’TS, child, Listen to the DON’TS, Listen to the SHOULDN’TS, The IMPOSSIBLES, the WONT’S,

Listen to the NEVER HAVES, Then listen close to me- Anything can happen, child, ANYTHING can be

– Shel Silverstein

2nd Grade

Brenda Hogue

Education
B.A. Child Development, Chico State University
National University Credential Classes

Work Experience
Started with Primary Plus in 1990
Vice Principal for 2 years
2nd grade for 20 years

Special Interests, Hobbies
Working in my garden & spending time with my family.

Other
I have one son who graduated from West Valley Middle School, and now attends Archbishop Mitty High School. He went through the Action Day Nurseries/Primary Plus Programs from the time he was 4 months old.

Favorite Quote
“Your goals are the road maps that guide you and show you what is possible in your life.”

Stefanie Plaat

Education
BS in Psychology – University of Oregon
Teaching Credential & MA in Education (in progress) – National University

Work Experience
2+ years teaching combo 1st & 2nd Grade classes
1+ years teaching 3rd Grade

Special Interests, Hobbies
Arts & Crafts
Yoga
Hiking
Watching college sports, especially the Oregon Ducks

Favorite Quote
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do.” – Confucius

3rd Grade

Stephanie Hodges

Stephanie Hodges
In order to establish a successful classroom community and learning environment, I need to ensure that students feel safe in a warm, inviting, and positive setting. I will strive for my classroom to be a place where all students feel they truly belong. I will create and maintain positive and effective learning environments that address all different talents, cultures, and the needs of my students. My genuine love for learning and love for the students will create a positive and happy environment where all students feel valued. Without this environment, the potential of learning would be greatly affected. I truly believe that is our differences that make us special. Realizing this, and celebrating this, is truly a beautiful gift. – Stephanie Hodges

Education
BA in Liberal Studies at San Francisco State
Multiple Subject Credential San Jose State University

Work Experience:
12 years teaching 3rd grade at a public elementary school
3 years teaching 1st grade at a public elementary
2 years kindergarten student teaching
3 years as Lead Teacher at Bright Horizons Preschool

Special Interests:
Yoga and meditation/mindfulness
Bike riding
Weight training
Tennis
Traveling
Ocean lover

Favorite Quote:
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Kareen Rivas

Education
Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education at California State University of Los Angeles.
Multiple Subjects Credential Early Childhood through 6th grade in California.
Texas Standard Teacher Certificates in Generalist from Early Childhood (EC) through Grade 6 and Special Education EC-12. Texas Teaching Certification in Art EC-12.
Associate’s Degrees in Liberal Studies and Business Administration at Pasadena City College, CA.

Work Experience
10+ years in education, ranging from infant up to 12th grade
5+ years teaching Junior Kindergarten
1 year teaching in Kindergarten
2+ years in Special Education and Social Work
Student teaching in 1^st grade class and in Content Mastery class from 1st through 4^th grades

Special Interests, Hobbies
Sewing, drawing, crafting, singing, reading, family outing, pinning (on Pinterest of course), aromatherapy, and badminton.

Favorite Quote
“Children require guidance and sympathy far more than instruction” – Anne Sullivan

4th Grade

Alexis Giusti

Education
BA in Liberal Arts, University of the Pacific
MA Curriculum and Instruction, University of the Pacific
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, San Jose State University

Work Experience
4th Grade for 6 years at Primary Plus
5 years of experience working in the elementary level (Grades 1st-4th)

Special Interests, Hobbies
Health and fitness
Wakeboarding
Sports

Favorite Quote
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” -Mahatma Gandhi

Saija Alanen