Our Teachers
Featured
Tess, (she/her/hers), first came to Valley Parent when her 26 year-old-son started preschool and returned in 2007 to join our teaching team. Over the years Tess has taught our Preschool, AM Pre-K and PM Pre-K classes, and currently serves as our Pre-K Teacher and Co-Director.
Prior to teaching at Valley Parent, Tess worked for seven years as a professional nanny and as a teacher at a Montessori school. Tess holds an AA in Child Development and a CA Master Teacher permit. She enjoys introducing her class to American Sign Language and has completed the Music Together Instructor Course.
Tess enjoys baking, yoga, back yard sports like wiffle ball and croquet, and exploring the Northern California coast with her family. She and her husband have two grown sons and are honored to be helping raise a third, who is now 9 years old.
Neha, (she/her/hers), first came to Valley Parent in 2020 as an Explorers Teacher and she currently serves as our Pre-K Teacher and Co-Director. Although her background was originally in data analytics, Neha found a new passion for teaching while volunteering in her children’s schools and decided to pursue a new career in Early Childhood Education.
She has her Masters in Economics from North Carolina State University and completed her Early Childhood Teacher and Director Education at Diablo Valley College.
Neha lives in San Ramon with her husband and two young children. She enjoys reading, bike riding, music, and traveling with her family. On the weekends you can often find them at one of their kids activities, gardening or biking around the neighborhood.
Ashley, (she/her/hers), fell in love with Valley Parent when her niece attended our Pre-K class in 2016. Ashley was one of her co-oping family members and worked regularly in the classroom, even staying on as a guest teacher after her niece went to kindergarten. Ashley received her Early Childhood Education from Saddleback College and graduated from Utah Valley University with a BA in Communications and Public Relations. Prior to joining us at VPP, Ashley worked as the Social Media Manager for Diablo Ballet. She lives in Danville with her family and 3 Tonkinese cats. Ashley loves being an aunt to her 3 nephews and 5 nieces, is actively involved in her church, and enjoys exploring, crafting, history, and reading.
Viji, (she/her/hers), first came to VPP in 2020 when her son Vishnu started preschool. She holds a Bachelors in Business Administration from the University of Madras and received her Early Childhood Education credentials from Diablo Valley College and California State University East Bay. Prior to joining our staff, Viji taught locally and enjoyed volunteering in her son’s classroom at Valley Parent. It didn’t take long for us to see that we wanted to bring her on board with our team!
Viji is originally from Arni, a small town in Southern India, and has been a Bay Area resident for 13 years. She lives in San Ramon with her husband and two young children.
Viji is passionate about bollywood dancing and sorely misses the pre-COVID days of fun filled dance troupe performances and competitions. For the time being, we’re hopeful she’ll teach us some moves instead!
Sona (she/her/hers) first came to VPP in 2018 on a school tour with her Diablo Valley College instructor and classmates. She was very impressed with Valley Parent’s respect of child development and teaching techniques, prompting her to apply when a position became available. Sona joined the VPP Teaching Team in 2021.
Sona has her Masters in Arts from MDS university Ajmer, India and a Bachelors in Education from Bangalore University, India. She was a Government Teacher for more than 10+ years in Rajasthan, India. After moving to California, Sona completed her Associate Teacher Certificate in Early childhood Education from DVC, where she continues to take Early Childhood classes to further her education. Sona taught locally as a Preschool Teacher prior to joining us at Valley Parent.
Sona is originally from Ajmer, Rajasthan, India and moved to the Bay area in 2012. She lives in San Ramon with her husband and two kids. She enjoys cooking, gardening, walking, dancing, yoga and meditation.
Debi, (she/her/hers), first came to Valley Parent in 2017, but her love of Cooperative Preschools started when her two children attended Pixie Playschool in Concord from 2001 to 2007. Prior to coming to VPP, Debi spent 5 years teaching elementary school, served as president of the board at her children’s co-op preschool, and taught at Loma Vista Adult Ed in their 3-year-old Parent Participation Preschool.
Debi received her BA and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Cal State East Bay, and her Early Childhood Education from Diablo Valley College. She is a California Naturalist and works closely with organizations in the area that support and care for local injured wildlife.
Debi lives in Clayton with her husband and has four grown children, 3 dogs, 2 cats, 4 chickens, 2 mules, a donkey, and a horse! She spends her free time hiking and exploring with her animals and children on Mt. Diablo.
Bhava (she/her/hers) first came to VPP in 2015 when her daughter Vibha, started Pre-K here and more recently when her son, Advaith came to VPP for Pre-K in 2021. Through the years Bhava has enjoyed being part of the VPP community, as a parent engaging in summer camps, at Explorers and at school!
Bhava is from Coimbatore, India and she moved to the US over 15 years ago. She holds a Master’s degree in Laser and Optical Engineering from Anna University. She has been passionate about early childhood education ever since her children were born, which led her to completing her early childhood credentials through Diablo Valley College (DVC) where she continues to take early childhood classes to further her education.
Prior to joining VPP as an Explorers teacher, Bhava has taught at the DVC Children’s Center in Pleasant Hill.
Bhava lives in San Ramon with her two children and husband. She enjoys cooking, gardening, hiking and exploring coastal California.