Directora Gabriella
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My husband Franco and I opened Primeros Pasos Glen Park in March 2013, a Iarge license (12-14 children) family child care. We opened our Silver Park location, an Infant, Toddler, Preschool, and PreK large Center (72 children) in May 2019, and then our Noe Valley location (40 children) in September 2023, in response to the great demand for our Spanish immersion program.
We love being around children, and we feel sincerely fulfilled providing service to our community where quality child care is sorely needed. Franco and I are very active in our community, doing volunteer work and serving on various charitable and community organizations and Boards.
We believe in our quality Spanish Immersion program; our own two children are alumni. Now in elementary and middle school, our children are fully bilingual in Spanish and English. Our families clearly believe in our program as well, based upon much appreciated referrals, and best of all, currently 12 sets of siblings who have been entrusted to our care! Each year, several of our PreK graduates enroll at SFUSD Spanish Language programs, usually testing as "native" or "fluent" Spanish speakers.
My mother's side of the family is from El Salvador, and I was raised bilingual. I am a native Spanish speaker, as are my family members.
I have been around education all my life, as my mother was a bilingual teacher aide for many years who has shared many projects and resources. I am a trained singer and love to share the gift of song with the children. One of my favorite moments is when one of the children breaks into a Spanish song that we sang together!
I hold a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) from San Francisco State University. I also earned a Graduate Certificate in Special Education - Inclusion. Our school is an inclusive one, and welcomes children of all abilities. As many children are with us for several years, sometimes needs surface during their time with us. We welcome on-site therapy, teacher supports and the like in our classrooms.
I previously earned a Bachelor of Arts with High Honors degree in Art History from Smith College, and completed the three year Masters in Architecture program at UC Berkeley. I pay special attention to quality design of children’s spaces and their learning environment. My Master's thesis in Early Childhood Education focused on Environments for Children, merging my interest in architecture and in ECE. The development of our Silver Park campus allowed us to imagine and build beautiful spaces that best support children's development and learning. We also have several pieces of art around our Center to further enrich the children's learning environment.
I have completed 35 units of Early Childhood Education coursework at City College San Francisco, as well as multiple Stanford University Bing Nursery School Educator Programs. I have completed the Program for Infant Toddler Care (PITC) Director's Institute. I hold a State of California Program Director Permit, as well as four City College of San Francisco Program Certificates: Administration; Professional Development and Advocacy; Infant Toddler Specialist; and Early Childhood Practitioner.
For the 2023 - 24 academic year I am honored to have been chosen by the U.S. Department of Education to receive a Fellowship to complete the Program for Infant Toddler Care (PITC) Trainer's Institute, which will enrich our regular Teacher in Training days.
We consider it a tremendous honor to care for our children in care. Thank you for your interest in Primeros Pasos!
We love being around children, and we feel sincerely fulfilled providing service to our community where quality child care is sorely needed. Franco and I are very active in our community, doing volunteer work and serving on various charitable and community organizations and Boards.
We believe in our quality Spanish Immersion program; our own two children are alumni. Now in elementary and middle school, our children are fully bilingual in Spanish and English. Our families clearly believe in our program as well, based upon much appreciated referrals, and best of all, currently 12 sets of siblings who have been entrusted to our care! Each year, several of our PreK graduates enroll at SFUSD Spanish Language programs, usually testing as "native" or "fluent" Spanish speakers.
My mother's side of the family is from El Salvador, and I was raised bilingual. I am a native Spanish speaker, as are my family members.
I have been around education all my life, as my mother was a bilingual teacher aide for many years who has shared many projects and resources. I am a trained singer and love to share the gift of song with the children. One of my favorite moments is when one of the children breaks into a Spanish song that we sang together!
I hold a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education (ECE) from San Francisco State University. I also earned a Graduate Certificate in Special Education - Inclusion. Our school is an inclusive one, and welcomes children of all abilities. As many children are with us for several years, sometimes needs surface during their time with us. We welcome on-site therapy, teacher supports and the like in our classrooms.
I previously earned a Bachelor of Arts with High Honors degree in Art History from Smith College, and completed the three year Masters in Architecture program at UC Berkeley. I pay special attention to quality design of children’s spaces and their learning environment. My Master's thesis in Early Childhood Education focused on Environments for Children, merging my interest in architecture and in ECE. The development of our Silver Park campus allowed us to imagine and build beautiful spaces that best support children's development and learning. We also have several pieces of art around our Center to further enrich the children's learning environment.
I have completed 35 units of Early Childhood Education coursework at City College San Francisco, as well as multiple Stanford University Bing Nursery School Educator Programs. I have completed the Program for Infant Toddler Care (PITC) Director's Institute. I hold a State of California Program Director Permit, as well as four City College of San Francisco Program Certificates: Administration; Professional Development and Advocacy; Infant Toddler Specialist; and Early Childhood Practitioner.
For the 2023 - 24 academic year I am honored to have been chosen by the U.S. Department of Education to receive a Fellowship to complete the Program for Infant Toddler Care (PITC) Trainer's Institute, which will enrich our regular Teacher in Training days.
We consider it a tremendous honor to care for our children in care. Thank you for your interest in Primeros Pasos!