Arbor Preschool Oakland Team

5830 College Ave, Oakland

marisa van sickle, director

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!

Desi Rodrigeuz Lambert, teacher

Mi nombre es Desi Rodriguez Lambert, tengo 28 años, soy Hondureña y vengo de una familia muy amorosa con mis padres y mis 3 hermanos. Emigre a los Estados Unidos y he trabajado en diferentes proyectos y programas de niñxs y jóvenes en riesgo social, vulnerabilidad, e igualdad de génerxs, defensora y promotora de Derechos Humanos, luchas por las injusticias, fiel luchadora incansablemente por un mundo lleno de justicia social. Trabajar con niñxs es lo más bonito que me ha pasado y poder trabajar con ellxs el resto de mi vida es mi más grande sueño y deseo. Tengo habilidades de trabajar con pequeñxs de 0 meses a 6 años, así como también he trabajado en escuelas forestales por mí incansable amor a la naturaleza así como respeto a nuestra madre tierra. Lo más deslumbrante de los niñxs son sus risas, su alegría hacen este mundo más feliz. Espero contribuir a su desarrollo físico y motor, afectivo, comunicativo, social y cognitivo a sus hijxs y participar en el desarrollo en esta primera etapa de la vida de los niñxs en Arbor preschool con mucho amor y dedicación.

Denisha Matthews, teacher

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.

lauren Stoesser, Teacher

I am originally from Portland, Oregon and moved to the Bay Area, post-college. I obtained my B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Child Development at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. After a wonderful experience working as an assistant preschool teacher at Cal Poly’s children’s center, I knew that I was highly passionate about early childhood education! I've spent the last four years as a preschool teacher in San Francisco and my love for teaching and watching children explore, learn and thrive only keeps growing. I am highly passionate about bringing sensory art exploration, as well as music and dance, into the classroom. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, gardening, hiking (as well as all things outdoors!) and exploring my creative side with drawing and guitar. I am highly excited to be a part of the Arbor Preschool Team!

Anthony rose, teacher

My name is Anthony, I live in Oakland with my girlfriend and our dog Cooper. I have recently been studying early childhood education at Berkeley City College but have been working with kids for several years now. As a teacher, I value the importance of creativity, the children’s interests, and exploration. I love creating fun and engaging curriculum based on what the children are expressing an interest in learning. 

Outside of the classroom, I enjoy playing instruments, doing photography, relaxing on the couch with my dog, as well as spending time with friends and family. I am so excited to be joining the teaching team here at Arbor and look forward to meeting all of the wonderful families in the Arbor community!

Lili Ruane, Teacher

Lili is an Oakland native and has been working with kids for the past eight years. She attended art school growing up, and loves to incorporate creative ideas and techniques into her teaching style. Lili is continuing her studies in child development and education as she makes her way toward becoming a fully certified teacher. She has experience both n a home and school setting, and most recently has been the lead teacher for a class of students aged 24 months. Lili is excited to join the team at Arbor and to learn and grow both as an educator and a member of the community.

Nayali Abarca Ruiz, 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!