Arbor Preschool Berkeley Team

MARISa van sickle, program DIRECTOr berkeley & oakland

Marisa holds a BA in Liberal Studies and Child development from California State University, Chico. She has been an educator for five years, primarily working with preschool age children, including teaching in infant & toddler classrooms. Marisa is passionate about bringing yoga and mindfulness into the classroom using various techniques, and is excited to utilize her Spanish background to incorporate the Spanish language in her teaching. She enjoys watching the children create collaborative artistic canvases in the art studio, and bringing in an emergent curriculum that supports each child’s development and interests. Marisa enjoys learning alongside the children, and researching their favorite topics using books and scientific experiments. This will be Marisa’s first year as a Director, and her experience in the classroom as a Lead Teacher and working with parents in previous years makes her excited to be part of the Arbor Preschool team and continue her leadership growth. Outside of school she enjoys hiking with her fiancé, painting, cooking, lifting weights at the gym, and reading!

DAISY VALLE, site supervisor

I have my undergrad in Child and Adolescent Development Social and Community Settings with a minor in Psychology at California State University, Sacramento. I have been working with children from a young age. From babysitting for close relatives and friends to being a youth group mentor/ coordinator to working as an at-home child care provider and to becoming a preschool teacher; I have truly found a great passion for working with children. I love seeing them learn, grow, and develop into beautiful human beings! In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, exploring new places, and practicing self-care. I am excited and grateful to be a part of the Arbor Preschool family!

Edith perez, lead teacher

Kimberly muno, teacher

rebecca, business administrator, CO-FOUNDER

Becky has been an educator for the past 11 years, working with children from preschool age up to and through college. She holds a BA in Psychology from Lewis & Clark College and a master’s degree in education. She was drawn to found Arbor Preschool because of her interest in the developing child and her desire to create a thoughtful place for her own children to learn and grow. Meeting Kelly and realizing we shared common goals was a dream. She is excited to incorporate her interest in the world around us as well as her knowledge of Spanish into the classroom. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the Bay Area with her family, playing with her three year old and baby, hiking, traveling, and getting lost in a really good book.

KELLY JOHNSTON, program administrator, CO-FOUNDER

Kelly was a preschool teacher in San Francisco for 10 years. She has her BA in Theatre from San Francisco State University and holds her California Child Development Site Supervisor Permit. In 2005 Kelly began working as an assistant preschool teacher and quickly fell in love with teaching, supporting families, and being a part of such a loving community. After a few years of assistant teaching she took on the role of lead teacher and began dreaming of opening her own school. She took a break from teaching to learn the ins and outs of running a small business by working as a manager in her family’s corporate flower company. Her passion and love remained with teaching, and her dream was realized with the opening of Arbor Preschool. In her free time Kelly loves to spend time with her family, practice yoga, read, travel, and bake!

Arbor Preschool Berkeley Campus

Arbor Preschool Berkeley is tucked away in a lush corner of the Claremont Hills. The building is airy and bright with plenty of windows and skylights. The outdoor space is surrounded by trees, flowers, and vines that create a sense of wonder and stir the imagination. It also contains a sandbox, planter boxes, and play structures for climbing. Our students are actively involved in caring for our garden and plants. Just down the block we have access to two of the most beautiful paths in Berkeley- the Willow Walk and Sunset Trail paths, which we utilize for walks and further outdoor exploration.

Indoors, our classroom is welcoming, full of natural light, and lined with French doors and windows for plenty of fresh air. We believe a clean, organized, and beautiful space filled with thoughtful items is best for spurring creativity and focused play.