Meet Our Educators

  • Interim Director
    Parent/Child & Toddler Transition Teacher

    My name is Shannon and I am excited to be a part of Bright Beginnings Preschool again this year. I will be teaching the parent-child class as well as toddler transition. Children under the age 3 are my absolute passion and mixed with the parent education aspect makes it a perfect combination.

    I have been married for 11 years and we have 3 girls; Layla is 10 and 8 year old twins Lucy and Vivian. We became a part of Bright Beginnings when my oldest daughter was 2 and in parent-child. All 3 of my girls have gone through the program and I have always been involved. I have done it all; volunteered in the classroom, sat on the board in many different roles, including president, subbed in various classrooms, and have taught for the past 3 years.

    I hold a degree in Child Development from CSU Chico, where I worked during school with infants/toddlers in their lab school. I have a deep understanding of the philosophy at BBP, with a passion for play-based, emergent curriculum. I strive to provide an environment that is engaging and challenging while offering meaningful and purposeful experiences that support self-help and self-advocacy skills, all while keeping what is best for children in the forefront of everything.

    Bright Beginnings Preschool feels like home to me.

  • Preschool Class Assistant

    My name is Alyssa and I am so excited to start my first year as the class assistant at Bright Beginnings! After volunteering in the classroom last year, I found that this school is an amazing environment for kids to learn, play, and grow as individuals. I particularly was drawn to the play based learning that our school uses, and saw first hand that this was a wonderful introduction to school for young children.

    I grew up in Petaluma, California, and moved to Sacramento after high school to attend California State University, Sacramento, where I earned my Bachelors in English. I have a passion for writing, and I love to read as well. A couple of my favorite authors are Jeanette Walls and Celeste Ng. In addition to reading and writing, I also am passionate about music. During my time in school, I interned at the Daycare Center at Sac State, where I focused on introducing music and sound with the children. I enjoy writing and recording my own songs, and I love to discover new artists with varying types of styles and sounds.

    I have lived in Folsom for the past three years, with my husband Nick and our two kids, Arrow, 4, and River, 2. This will be Arrow’s second year at Bright Beginnings, and he loves it! In my free time, I like to exercise, whether it be running, yoga, or circuit training. Another passion of mine is sports. I love to watch and play baseball and basketball, and I enjoy watching football as well.

    The most important thing I love is to simply spend time with my family. We like to visit new places, go on night walks, or visit parks. I strongly believe in treating everyone with kindness and respect, being open-minded, and practicing gratitude. I am very grateful for this opportunity at Bright Beginnings and I love the ideals and community at this school. I’m so happy to be here!

  • Preschool & PlayON Teacher

    I am so happy to be a part of the Bright Beginnings family. I have many years’ experience teaching children of all ages, mostly children under 6.

    I hold an AA DEGREE in Early Childhood Development, and most of my knowledge comes from the experiences I have had just being with children.

    I have taught in the San Juan Unified School District, Placer County as well as at private preschools and Parent Toddler programs.

    While home raising my 4 children, I owned and operated a Horsemanship Program out of my ranch in Orangevale. I believe that children learn best through experience. Giving them an environment where they can experience success (and failure), gives them the confidence to grow and learn to their fullest potential.

    My time outside of preschool is spent with my children and grandchildren, as well as on the trails training for ultra runs and endurance rides.

    I love family time and being outside in nature.