Veronica Maier
School Director
Veronica and her two daughters found their way to the Bay Area just this past summer after a long 13 year stint in Austin Texas. Charlotte, 11 attends Hall Middle School and Josephine, 9 is entering 4th grade at The Cove School in Corte Madera. Veronica is a native Californian born right here in Marin and she is so happy to be back home.
Her passions have always been education, art and adventure even from a young age. Her first teaching job was at the age of 18, she traveled through the continent of Europe at 19 and she received a BA in Art History from UC Santa Cruz. Following her love of education and professional growth, she pursued intensive Montessori teacher training in 2015, became a Certified Professional Coach in 2020 and is excited to complete additional Educational Leadership classes this summer.
In 2017, she was honored to take on the task of leading a team of 12 phenomenal teachers. She has been leading, mentoring and serving dynamic schools ever since.
Melissa Vree
Pre-K Teacher
In the Spring of 2020, as we were navigating the early days of the pandemic, I accepted the role of Director at Sausalito Nursery School to help carry on the long legacy of community and caring associated with the school. To be able to guide this wonderful co-operative preschool is an honour. Previously, I taught at SNS for 6 years, teaching the Sea Otter class as well as the Tide Pool class.
Before SNS, I worked as a preschool teacher at Marinwood Preschool Program in San Rafael while also teaching soccer classes to toddlers ages 2-5 through the Terra Linda Recreation Dept. I have a special place in my heart for co-op preschools because both of my children attended one when we lived in Alexandria, VA. For newcomers to the East Coast, it provided us a wonderful community to be a part of.
When we moved to Virginia from California, I was able to step away from my 9 year career in Human Resources to spend more time at home with my children, Ruby and William, who were 3 and 1 at that time. During our time there, I also worked with Just for Kids, a small business that offers soccer, LAX, tee ball, and yoga classes for children ages 2-8. I taught classes and developed new business partnerships.
I have also continued to volunteer in a variety of ways, either as a soccer coach or through my kids’ school. I was elected to the Site Council Committee at Mary Silveira Elementary School, collaboratively working with teachers, administration and parents to help make decisions about school operations. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management and a Minor in Business Administration from Saint Mary’s College of California. And I have completed additional coursework in Early Childhood Education and School Administration at College of Marin and the UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Extension.
Diane Bernstein
Pre-K Teacher
I have been teaching in the Pre-K Classroom at Sausalito Nursery School for 25 years. My introduction to the school was as a co-op parent for my 2 young children. My husband and I quickly became very involved with the school and the community.
I then went back to school where I received an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. I am passionate about teaching young humans, and being a part of this magical school, which brings a smile to my face every morning when I walk through that gate.
I strive to share my love of art, creativity, the world around us, and the immense power of play.
On days off I can be found doing yoga, riding my e-bike, walking in nature, or playing with my cat.
I will continue to do my best to meet each and every child where they are - emotionally, socially, cognitively, and physically ❤️
Associates of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from College of Marin in California. I also have a Teacher Credential from the state of California. I am certified in CPR and First Aid, which I renew and update every year.
Johanna Pitocchelli
Sea Otter & Afternoon Teacher
Aloha!
I grew up outside Philadelphia and spent most of my childhood exploring the great outdoors ! I competed nationally in tennis, squash and platform tennis through college and taught tennis to young children in the summer. When I moved to the Bay Area I operated a Travel Agency specializing in corporate travel. After being a substitute teacher at The Marina Children’s Center I joined the SNS community in 2012. I created L.E.A.P with Eliya and we transformed the Afternoon Program into a student driven curriculum with a focus on literacy and STEAM activities. We also incorporated cooking into the curriculum which presents many learning opportunities. I love music and movement which are a part of every day in our classroom!
Education: B.A. in History of Art, Trinity College, Hartford, CT. / Junior year in Rome where I learned to speak Italian, Conversational Italian, CCSF and Instituto di Cultura Italiana.
Hawaiian Cultural Studies, Na Lei Hulu I Ka Weiku, San Francisco, CA., Early Childhood Education Teaching Certificate, College of Marin, Library Information and Technology Studies, CCSF.
I am a firm believer in continuing education and have attended several workshops at Marin Child Care Council ( focus on Nutrition, Movement, Child Trauma, Safety, La Scuola ( focus on Documentation ) and studied Temperaments at College of Marin. My interests outside school include the Dolphin Club, Le Donne d’Italia, and playing in a ukulele group. A few years ago I introduced the ukulele to SNS ( Sausalito Strummers ) and the children loved it
Kasandra Childs
Sea Otter & Tide Pool Teacher
I started working with children as an assistant teacher and daycare lead roughly ten years ago. I loved the job and went back to school completing a degree at Dominican University and continued on to their teaching program. I have also taken early childhood education classes at College of Marin and I am first aid and CPR certified.
A fun fact about me is that I was a student at Sausalito Nursery School! This will be my third year teaching here and I absolutely love the school and wonderful sense of community surrounding it. Not only do I get to teach young children, but I learn from them every day!
I enjoy bringing literacy components, art, nature, and social/emotional well-being into the curriculum and strive to make each day fun and exciting!
My husband and I live in Sausalito with our two cats and we are expecting a baby girl this November (2023)!
Kendal Carter
Tide Pool Teacher
Kendal graduated from Dominican University of California in 2015 with her BS in Liberal Studies and Multiple Subject Credential. She taught 1st-4th grade math and science for four year before returning to graduate school. Kendal completed her MS in Special Education in 2020. During Covid Kendal led a mixed age pod, taught homeschool preschool, and middle school. This is Kendal’s second year teaching at SNS. She loves her students, colleagues, and the strong sense of community. In her free time Kendal loves baking, traveling, and spending time with her fiancé.
Amy Evans-Reber
Tide Pool Teacher
I received my early childhood teaching credential in Montessori from St. Mary's I started teaching 15 years ago. I took a few years off when my son was little, but started teaching and subbing again about three years ago. On the weekend you'll find me surrounded by my friends and family, in Petaluma with my wife, Katie, and my son, Cash, and our mini schnauzer Pippi. I love antiquing, baking, crafting, and exploring the world. I try to bring these passions into the classroom!
Karen Sheehan
Aftercare Teacher
I grew up in Connecticut and was fortunate to be able to spend my childhood outdoors. In the summer we biked, hiked, swam, and generally ran wild all day long. In the winter we played in the snow, went ice skating, sledding and tobogganing. It was a great way to grow up!
I have a BA in Psychology from Allegheny College in PA. After graduation a group of us traveled to CA and I’ve never left. I am certified as a Montessori Elementary Teacher and taught for 8 years. I have been teaching in Preschool for 6 years. I have 18 Early Childhood Education credits, and am a qualified Preschool Director.
In between my Montessori teaching and moving into Preschool I have had a variety of careers, always in the education and social services sector. I worked at several companies in the disability field and also as an Ombudsman providing advocacy to Seniors in Long Term Care. Teaching and training has always been a part of all my careers.
My claim to fame is my 9 grandchildren ranging in age from newborn to 19 yrs old. Three of my grandchildren live in Fortuna with my eldest son. My other grandchildren are in Sonoma and Marin Counties. It’s been a joy to watch them all growing up!
I am delighted to be teaching the AfterSchool program a Sausalito Nursery School. I love bringing education to the outdoors; incorporating art, science, and daily living skills into the classroom; and helping children to feel confident, independent, and happily participating in preschool!
Anke Pahmeyer
Aftercare Teacher
I was born and raised in Germany and made the leap to the Bay Area at age 30. I fell in love with Sausalito Nursery School’s play-based learning and coop model when my husband Tom and I moved right around the corner from SNS and became part of this tight coop community with our children Conner and Sasha in 2003. My career as a producer and project manager in the TV/film and branding industry and my love for travel and exploration have taken me all across the globe, and you can find me hike or mountain bike the trails of Marin from our current home in Corte Madera on almost any day - often with a group of our life-long friends from SNS.
Now, with my own children in college, I’m excited to spend my afternoons playing, exploring, and learning with your children. Come say hi - you’ll find me on the playground or in the classroom working on Mondays with Johanna and with Karen the rest of the week. I look forward to meeting all of you!