Our Teachers and Staff

Program Director

She/Her

In her 20 years as an educator, Crystal has taught a wide variety of subjects and students including high school performing arts, middle school English, elementary music, and play based preschool. She earned her BA in English before continuing on to a post-graduate study in education at San Jose State University. Her dream is to expand Sprout and Spark to serve elementary and middle school students as well as preschoolers. 

Crystal enjoys anything that allows her to flex her creative muscles, especially cooking, writing, and composing elaborate impromptu operettas with her three kids.

Assistant Teacher/Toddler Guide

She/Her

 Chelsea is a mom to 2 who has been working with children for over 10 years. She started as a daycare worker for 7 years and has been a preschool teacher for the last 3. The 25-26 school year will be her fourth year teaching with Sprout and Spark. 

Chelsea is most excited to share her love of science with children. She loves looking at interesting plants, animals and natural materials under a microscope and constructing new knowledge with her students based on scientific observations. She also loves sharing her passion for animals and helping the children learn how to be gentle and loving to all forms of life.

Groundsmaster General

He/Him

After spending the last decade designing electric airplanes at Ampaire and getting rockets off the ground (and back on the ground again) at Space X, Jason can't wait to bring his technical expertise and love of science and engineering to our school. Jason is our do-everything and make-everything guy: fences and furniture, climbing structures, and sandboxes. 

A devoted father of three, Jason also enjoys playing guitar, designing tabletop games, and creating beautiful and precise CAD drawings.

Reggio Emilia Guide

She/Her

Lori studied Art and Child Development at San Francisco State University. An art education internship at the de Young Museum set her on a path to work as an art teacher and resource specialist in traditional school settings across the Bay Area. After several years, she became more interested in early childhood education, and how art materials can be utilized to support development. 

Lori enjoys spending time with her family and does her best to carve out time for her many hobbies including artmaking/painting, photography, reading, gardening and home design. She enjoys being able to share her excitement for the possibilities of art, and how we can create together.

Montessori Primary Guide

She/Her

Carol graduated Oregon State University in 2018 with a Bachelor’s of Science and has hopes of returning to school in the near future to expand her knowledge in the field of Early Childhood Education. She has previously worked at two Montessori schools from ages 12 months through 6 years before working at Sprout and Spark. Her journey with Montessori first began at home where she discovered the method during the pandemic and began practicing with her own children. 

Carol enjoys spending time outdoors, specifically rock climbing and hiking, she also loves cozying up with a good book, baking, and having dance parties with her two daughters. She is excited to share these passions with the students at school.