Daniel

Daniel

Teacher

My adventure working with children began eleven years ago. After working for close to a decade as a credit manager at a manufacturing  company in Berkeley I decided to leave in pursuit of other interests. I began taking classes in Child Development and eventually obtained my BA from CSUEB in Human Development with a Child Development Option. This change in careers was largely inspired by my wife and my mother, both of whom work with young children. Initially I taught children how to play guitar and coached soccer as I returned to school and this led to a more formal position with the Boys & Girls club where I was eventually promoted to Assistant Director. I worked as a preschool and school age teacher at Davis Street Family Resource Center shortly thereafter, a company focused on providing services to low income children and their families. During my time at Davis Street I assisted in the creation of the preschool program, which did not exist when I was hired.

I also worked at a small eco-friendly nature based preschool in Oakland. Most recently, I have worked at Bright Horizons Family Solutions as the lead teacher in their preschool room. During my time there. I have created and implemented developmentally appropriate emergent project based curriculum, designed an art studio, and mentored other teachers. I have also spent much of my time immersed in parent partnerships, which I enjoy greatly as well. In 2014 I received an Excellence in Care and Education award from Bright Horizons.

I was born in Brazil, so I speak some Portuguese and Spanish, and I have a love for soccer. I also enjoy spending time outdoors and riding bicycles with my family. I am a self-taught visual artist and completed a large mosaic at a local preschool last year. I sing and play a few stringed instruments. I live in San Leandro with my wife, daughter, and our small dog, Lola.

I believe that children thrive in an environment that is fun and engaging and in which they are loved and nurtured. I enjoy all of the wonderful conversations I have with the children I work with on a daily basis.

I am excited to be in the Rockridge Little School community. I enjoy working with passionate professionals in an intimate setting in Oakland. I love to singing songs, reading books, creating a variety of emergent project based activities, having wonderful conversations, and to having a great time with the children and families at Rockridge Little School.