Arbor Preschool Oakland Team

5830 College Ave, Oakland

Denisha Matthews, site supervisor

Hello Arbor Families. My name is Denisha Matthews. I am very excited to be joining the wonderful team at Arbor. I look forward to meeting all of you and your children. I’ve been a preschool teacher for the last 11 years. I have had the pleasure of working with children 12 months to 6 years of age. I love children and have 2 of my own. As an educator, I believe it is my job to support and encourage the child’s interests and strengths. I love to create and explore with children. I enjoy witnessing their physical growth as well as their academic success throughout the year. Teaching is a part of me. 

A few hobbies of mine include painting, reading, listening to music, doing arts and crafts and going on park dates with my kids. I am currently studying to receive my AA in child development and I will graduate soon.

Darling Hernandez, teacher

sofia escalante, teacher

Katvina mitchell, teacher

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!

Becky Lidow, 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.

Arbor Preschool Rockridge Campus

Arbor Preschool Rockridge is conveniently located on College Avenue just one block north of the Rockridge Bart station. Our building is bright and airy with plenty of room to learn and create in. The outdoor space is expansive with several newly planted fruit trees, two raised garden beds, two large sandboxes, a new play structure, and an outdoor dining and project space. We are excited to grow and evolve in this space with our first group of students and their families. We hope you’ll come by and visit!