Jr. Kindergarten

Alecia Carvalho
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”
Katie Hunter
Education:
De Anza College, Foothill College
Work Experience:
9+ years experience working with children and in Early Childhood Education
1 Year with California Teaching Fellows Foundation
4 years at The Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose
5 years with Action Day Primary Plus
-
3 years in Room 8 Extended Day at Amber
-
1 year in Infant Center at Moorpark
-
1 year Jrk at Amber
Special Interests & Hobbies:
Reading
Creating art
Taking walks
Road Trips
Goal for the Year:
To integrate learning with play! I am a strong believer in teaching Social/Emotional skills to our young students in order to prepare them for the academics they will be exposed to in Kindergarten.
Quote: “Education must not simply teach work – it must teach Life” – W. E. B. Du Bois
Kendy Astudillo
Ariel Robles
Kindergarten
Alexis Bylund

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 - Amber

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 - Campbell
Sara Carnett
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.
2nd Grade
Lisa Callejas

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.”
Lisa Milian
3rd Grade
Nancy Camp
Education
BA in Modern Literary Studies UC Santa Cruz
Multiple Subject Credential CalState TEACH
Work Experience:
3 years teaching experience at public schools around the Bay Area
First year teaching 3rd grade at Action Day Primary Plus
Special Interests:
Camping
Traveling
Reading
Cooking
Favorite Quote:
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde
Suzanne Hannah
Ian Hoppis
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
Education
Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology in Elementary Education,
University of Helsinki, Finland
CA Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential
15 units in Special Education
CLAD certified
Work Experience
Taught in Finland and in California
1+ years teaching 3rd grade
3+ years teaching 4th grade
5+ years teaching 5th grade
Special Interests, Hobbies
Crossfit
Playing the piano
Gardening
Traveling
Favorite Quote
“What if I Fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?” – Erin Hanson