MIRALOMA EDUCATIONAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

Faculty

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TEACHERS

Teachers:

Daniel Layer (Kindergarten Teacher/Coordinator)- Mr. Layer earned his Bachelor of the Arts in Humanities with an emphasis in Alternative Education Methodologies from New College of California. His undergraduate studies into global and socio-internal cultures, combined with his first-hand experiences lend him the ability to strongly connect with students from diverse backgrounds. To further his career in Education, Mr. Layer is studying for his Masters Degree in Teaching, with student teaching and elementary certification, at Western Governors University.

Veronica Reyes (MEEP 1st grade teacher):Veronica Reyes was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, a suburb of Los Angeles. She is a recent graduate from California State University, Northridge. She received her Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Chicana/o Studies as well as her California Multiple-Subject Teaching Credentials. She completed her student teaching experience in the kindergarten and fifth grade levels, in both suburban and urban school communities. As a teacher, she wants her students to experience meaningful, engaging learning that applies to their lives. This can be achieved through the use of hands-on activities, cooperative learning, and an integrated curriculum.

Louie Ngo (MEEP 2nd Grade)- Louie has earned his master’s degree in Education from Alliance University and his California Teaching Credential in Multiple Subjects, In addition to his master’s Louie earned his psychology degree from University of Irvine. He was a student teacher at two elementary schools in San Francisco. They were Sanchez Elementary in the Mission District and Yick Wo Elementary in North Beach. He has worked with Kindergarten students and 1st grade students in both schools. In addition Louie has a strong academic background in the field of both education and developmental psychology which he brings to his teaching at MEEP.

Hasti Kosari (MEEP 3rd grade teacher): Ms. Kosari attended DePaul University in Chicago where she earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree and her teaching credentials in Elementary Education with a concentration in Social Sciences and also a middle school endorsement. Ms. Kosari worked in the Learning Resource Center within a K-2 school which gave her extensive experience in using technology to teach Math and Reading. As a teacher in the MEEP program, she hopes to reach out to each student and help them achieve individual growth as well as social growth. Hands-on learning is a critical attribute in her teaching style, and at the end of the year her goal is to have the students leave with confidence in their voice.

Celia Wu (MEEP Mandarin Teacher) Ms. Wu earned her BA in Industrial Art with emphasis on graphic designs. She spent the better part of her professional career as a Senior Designer with a major advertising firm in Taiwan. Two years ago she began teaching Mandarin classes at an after-school program in San Francisco.Her teaching experience began in high school and continued throughout college. She assisted in teaching advanced mathematics, computer software, and Industrial Art technical writing courses. She believes for children to learn a new language, their interests must be engaged. Knowing that each child has a unique learning style and puts great emphasis on the process of learning. Ms. Wu grew up in a small, remote village in Taiwan. The entire village consisted of 36 people. She grew up learning the traditional Taiwanese/Chinese culture, food, arts and crafts. I emigrated to the United States at the age of 11 and settled in San Francisco.

Marta Sanchez-Vasquez (MEEP Spanish teacher) Ms. Vasquez is from Bogotá, Colombia. She has been teaching Spanish periodically for several years in San Francisco. Ms. Vasquez earned her Masters of Fine Arts from the San Francisco Art Institute. She is currently working as a Spanish Tutor for the Professional Tutors and Berlitz language institute. She also is a working artist in San Francisco. Ms. Vasquez is a firm believer in using the arts to teach children a second language. She believes the emotional and social development of the child should be addressed with the same passion that goes into the academic arena. You may also get more information about Ms. Vasquez by visiting her web site at www.martasv.com .

Nicole Pierret (MEEP Art/Science)- Ms. Pierret joined MEEP in September of 2007. Ms. Pierret graduated from C.C.A (California College of the Arts) with a B.F.A in painting. She currently works for a non-profit called "Drawbridge" an arts program for homeless children. As well as working with "Drawbridge" In 2006 Ms. Pierret worked as an assistant teacher for a Waldorf pre-school in Palo Alto called Country Day Little School.

Ray Dellosa (Sports Coordinator)- Mr. Dellosa joined MEEP two years ago. He coaches soccer as well as working with our students as a tutor. He also coaches the Miraloma Monsters soccer team. He is currently in the process of finishing his undergraduate degree in English and Literature from San Francisco State University.

Alex Vanderburgh (Martial Play)- Mr. Vanderburgh has have been teaching the program at Meep since the 1998/1999 school year, Alex holds first degree black belts in Kenpo Karate and Okinawan Kobudo, and a third degree black belt in Aikido, a Japanese martial art. Alex has been training in the martial arts since 1970, and teaching children and adults since 1988. Alex has spent time researching and developing the Emotional Intelligence side of the curriculum. He has successfully integrated the Martial Arts and Emotional Intelligence at MEEP for the last three years. Alex is currently working on a book on Martial Play. For more information on the martial play curriculum visit the website at www.martialplay.com

Patricia Nolan (Teacher’s Aid)- Ms. Nolan joined MEEP in 2006. She has been working with our students in 1st grade as well as choreographing dance routines for our 3rd grade students, and coordinating with Ms. Robinson (Operations Director) on our annual shows.

Natalie Sanchez (Teacher’s Aid)- Ms. Sanchez works with our Kindergarten students and collaborates closely with Mr. Layer. Ms. Sanchez joined MEEP in 2006 and has been working with our students on art projects and helping them with their social growth.

Morgan Rubin (MEEP Staff Assistant)- Morgan has done a lot of work in the community, and now she is enjoying working with the children at MEEP. Morgan attended MEEP as a student from 2nd through 5th grade. She understands what the MEEP program can offer their students and the wonderful experiences they can have being part of the MEEP family. In addition to working at MEEP, she is also a full time high school student attending Lowell High School, and is graduating in 2010.

Administrative Staff

Armen Dilanchian, MFA, (Chief Executive Director)- Mr. Dilanchian has been with Miraloma Educational Enrichment Program since 1997. Prior to his work at MEEP Inc. he was an Elementary Teacher and an Assistant Teacher at Convent of the Sacred Heart in San Francisco. Mr. Dilanchian earned his Masters of Fine Arts from SFSU and was a Doctoral candidate (Ed.D) in department of education at University of San Francisco. Mr. Dilanchian also taught at San Francisco State University and Chabot College as a substitute instructor in the Theatre Arts Department. Prior to joining MEEP Mr.Dilanchian was the Assistant Director at the Youth Leadership Institute, and worked as a youth coordinator with the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival at USF.

Bill Haag, (Accountant)- Mr. Haag has been with MEEP for the past seven years.

Pamela Robinson, (Operations Director)- Ms. Robinson has worked at MEEP since 1989. Ms. Robinson has been the librarian at Miraloma Elementary School. She is a dedicated educator who has been tireless in her efforts to introduce new programs at MEEP. She has also coordinated our summer camp sessions for the past three years and is currently working with her daughter’s pre-school to implement new programs.

Darryn James (MEEP Execuitve Assistant)- Mr. James originally from Bakersfield, California is currently attending San Francisco State University, where he began attending in August of 2004. Darryn is majoring in Communication, with an emphasis on organizational communication. Over the last few years, Darryn has worked in the worlds of education, human resources, public relations and community giving. He has striven to advance his career within San Francisco, even before he attains his Bachelor's. Aside from loving the culture of the city, Darryn appreciates the beauty and people that go into making this city what it is. He is deeply involved with the local community, building teams of friends and co-workers to assist with a community project, or to walk the Aidswalk once again.

Academic Consultants

Hana Hung- 1st grade teacher at Miraloma Elementary School

Jennifer Shivers- 2nd grade teacher at Miraloma Elementary School.

Tutors at Meep

Christy Kitsuda- 3rd grade teacher at Miraloma Elementary School.
Jennifer Shivers- 2nd grade teacher at Miraloma Elementary School.

Armen Dilanchian, MFA
Executive Director, MEEP Inc.
175 Omar Way, San Francisco, CA. 94127
415-584-7080
Meepgo@msn.com