Mirian Obermeyer
Hola! I'm maestra Mirian. I was born in El Salvador and came to Oakland, CA when I was 9 years old. I attended Oakland public schools and went on to Mills College, where I received my B.A. in Spanish Literature and American Studies.
I am passionate about community building, our environment, and the importance of knowing Spanish. As one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, Spanish opens doors to a rich cultural heritage and provides incredible advantages in today's interconnected world.
In 2013, I had my daughter, and then in 2015, my son. I had the privilege of being very involved in their early years of development. We attended Lotus Bloom and participated in their parent-child programs, Oakland Public Library programs, and a Spanish-immersion preschool, that my children attended and worked as a teacher.
My professional and personal experiences have taught me the importance of being prepared, working in community, and creating supportive spaces where we can learn and grow together. These experiences, combined with my passion for language and education, inspired me to create a nurturing and enriching Spanish-immersion program for young children.
To further prepare, I expanded my education with child development courses and began my career as a preschool teacher. I have since continued to work for the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) as a Spanish tutor and am now embarking on a new challenge of starting a Spanish-immersion home childcare and preschool.
I believe in a play-based approach where children are encouraged to explore, discover, and develop a love of learning through meaningful play and engaging activities, all in a Spanish-speaking environment.
I hope we have the opportunity to get to know one another! Please feel free to reach out to learn more or schedule a visit.
Alma Maldonado
Hello! My name is Alma and I was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico, where I was raised for the first year of my life. Because my father worked on the railroads, my family moved frequently to different states across Mexico. Eventually, my father decided we would settle in Guanajuato with my two younger siblings at the time, where I lived from the age of 6 to 11. During that period, my parents left me and my siblings in the care of our grandmother for an entire year to chase the dream of providing a better life for our family in the United States. During that year, I learned how to take care of my younger siblings.
I first came to the United States in 1990 and started middle school, which marked the beginning of an entirely new experience. Learning a new language and adapting to a new environment was highly challenging, but never impossible. I later graduated from Fremont High School in Oakland, California, in 1996. My mother dedicated her time to babysitting, and at the age of 16, I began helping her. Ever since then, care taking for children has become a lifelong passion.
Along with raising four children of my own, I have dedicated almost twenty years of my life to working as a nanny. After being a nanny, I worked at a daycare in Alameda for two years before coming to El Arbolito. I am currently CPR and First Aid Certified. All of the experiences throughout my journey have taught me patience, adaptability to changing needs, and the importance of positive discipline in children. From my time working with various families and in childcare centers, my main passion has always been making each and every child feel valued while implementing early childhood education.
Vanessa Montoya
My name is Vanessa Montoya, I am 29 years old, and I am originally from Costa Rica. I am married and a mother to a 5-year-old boy, who is one of my greatest motivations.
I discovered my calling for working with children at the age of 16, starting as a volunteer at a community church. In Costa Rica, I studied to be a Preschool Assistant, which strengthened my knowledge and opened doors for me to work in the educational field. Since moving to the United States, I have continued my professional development by earning certificates related to childhood education, and I am currently pursuing my studies at Chabot College, where I have already completed 6 units and continue to actively move forward.
I have worked in various schools, including Spanish immersion programs, where I have had the opportunity to support children's well-rounded development in a bilingual environment. My passion is creating meaningful learning experiences, fostering creativity and growth in every child.
On a personal note, I enjoy creating new things, meeting people, and spending time with my family, who are the center of my life. My goal is to keep growing as a professional in the field of early childhood education and to continue contributing to children's development at every stage of their lives.
