Our Taraval Team

Anthony Nguyen

Toddler Teacher

Salema Elgelda

Toddler Teacher’s Aide

Gilda Tam

Toddler Teacher

Luisa Baj

Executive Director

Hai Nguyen

Toddler Teacher

Andrea Rojas

Infant Teacher

Thereza Cerna

Infant Lead Teacher

Shenna Cabrera

Infant Teacher’s Aide

Dai Calderon

Infant Teacher’s Aide

Mireya Resendiz

Facility Assistant

Bianca Lua

Infant Teacher’s Aide

Silvia Garcia

Lead Toddler Teacher

Mireya Resendiz

Facility Assistant

Bianca Lua

Infant Teacher’s Aide

Amany Salah

Director

Yarena Ozuna

Director

Rebecca Wang

Assistant Director

Thereza Cerna

Lead Teacher

Sandy Wan

 Lead Infant Teacher

Emily Pham

Infant Teacher

Nicole Ozuna

Infant Teacher

Ahlayah Shabazz

Toddler Teacher

Sadaf Shahid

Toddler Teacher

Shenna Cabrera

Infant Teacher’s Aide

Marissa Sanchez

Infant Teacher’s Aide

Silvia Hernandez

Toddler Teacher’s Aide

Suki Yu

Toddler Teacher’s Aide

Jacqueline Dudley

Toddler Teacher’s Aide

Dai Calderon

Infant Teacher’s Aide

Mireya Resendiz

Facility Assistant

NOTE:

At Meaningful Beginnings, we undergo an extensive interview process and only hire the best educators in the Early Childhood Education field.

Our teacher’s are required to undergo a Caregiver Background Check as mandated by the state of California. All staff must submit their fingerprints and get clearance.

Teachers are required to have at least 12 early childhood education (ECE) units or willing to take classes. If a teacher currently does not have any ECE units, they are considered teacher’s aides and must be under the supervision of a fully qualified teacher. All employees are required to submit immunization records and undergo a health screening including a TB test.

Teachers must also get their CPR and First-Aid certification, complete mandated reporter training and pest management training, and ensure that they stay-up-to-date.

Administrators, such as the director and assistant director, are required to take the Health, Safety, Nutrition, and Lead Poisoning Prevention trainings.

Anthony Nguyen

Toddler Teacher

Anthony Nguyen joins the Meaningful Beginnings Community as a Toddler Teacher, bringing with him a rich background in early childhood education. A graduate of California State University of Fullerton, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Child and Adolescent Development, with a focus on Early Childhood Education. Originally from Huntington Beach, CA, Anthony ventured north to San Francisco after graduation to expand his teaching experience.

Over the past three years, Anthony has distinguished himself as a high-quality educator at TEL-HI, one of the top preschools in San Francisco. His contributions to the SF Early Childhood Community include fostering deep, meaningful communications that enhance language acquisition among preschool children with speech delays. He is adept at supporting children from diverse backgrounds and abilities, using positive encouragement and redirection to manage behaviors, and ensuring full inclusion for children with Autism through accessible and effective early learning supports.

Anthony has gained extensive experience working with diverse populations across non-profit, public, and private preschool settings. He is committed to building positive, genuine, and collaborative relationships with parents and families, tailoring support to meet each family’s unique needs. He believes in creating a learning environment where education is shared among peers, facilitating naturalistic learning opportunities through constant verbal and non-verbal communicative discourse.

In his quest to provide a nurturing and warm educational environment, Anthony aims to ensure that children enjoy positive and cherished early educational experiences. Outside of his professional life, Anthony is passionate about singing, writing, reading, playing musical instruments, and exploring a variety of music. He actively participates in volunteering, church activities, and enjoys connecting with nature through walks and hikes.

Salema Elgelda

Toddler Teacher’s Aide

Meet Salema, affectionately known as Mimi, one of the newest members of our Meaningful Beginnings family. Mimi graduated from UC Davis in 2021 with a degree in Psychology and brings nine years of experience in childcare to our team.

Mimi is passionate about nurturing young minds and approaches childcare with creativity and a caring demeanor. She is committed to creating a welcoming environment where children can thrive, feeling safe and happy. Understanding the challenges faced by both parents and children who spend much of the day apart, Mimi makes it her top priority to ensure that the needs of every child are met, helping them to feel secure and supported while away from home.

At Meaningful Beginnings, Mimi looks forward to applying her skills and passion to make a positive impact on the lives of the children and families she works with.

Gilda Tam

Toddler Teacher

Meet Gilda, a passionate ballet dancer since the age of three and our team member at Meaningful Beginnings. Gilda graduated from the University of San Francisco, where she majored in Performing Arts and Social Justice. Her lifelong dedication to ballet and the arts deeply informs her approach to working with children.

Gilda has extensive experience working at various childcare centers throughout San Francisco, bringing a unique blend of artistic expression and social awareness to her role. She is excited to join the Meaningful Beginnings family and looks forward to fostering an environment where children can explore their own creative passions while feeling valued and understood.

At Meaningful Beginnings, Gilda is eager to inspire and engage with children, helping them to develop their artistic and social skills in a supportive and nurturing setting.

LUISA BAJ

Director

Working with and becoming a part of a community has always been a dream for Luisa. She worked in museums throughout the Bay Area for years, always in their education department. Through this passion, she found that her favorite audience was children. The way she was able to connect, facilitate, and grow with their innate curiosity became her dream. She wants to bring Art and STEM to children of all abilities and create a community within the classroom where mistakes are part of the learning process, and kids get the opportunity to direct their own learning. She wants her students to be excited to come to school and loves to see the excitement and wonder in their eyes. She is excited to bring her previous experience from the Bay Area Discovery Museum into Meaningful Beginnings and create a community built on curiosity, kindness, respect, and accessibility. Luisa received her dual Masters in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education from Grand Canyon University.

Hai Nguyen

Toddler Teacher

Hai Nguyen has a knack for making excellent paper airplanes. With 8 years of experience as an Early Childhood Education (ECE) teacher, he hopes to continue his journey for many more years. Six of those years were spent as a Montessori assistant teacher, where he discovered his passion for ECE. At a certain point in his Montessori career, Hai needed to take time off to care for his aging parents and transitioned to a role as an extended care director. Now, after two years, he is ready to return to the classroom as an ECE teacher and utilize his newfound knowledge to foster and inspire growth. As a San Francisco native, Hai is excited to join Meaningful Beginnings and work with all the wonderful children and their families.

Andrea Rojas

Infant Teacher

My name is Andrea, and I have found my calling as an infant teacher. My journey with children began early in life, inspired by my mother who worked as a nanny. She would often take me along, and I developed a love for reading to the children she cared for. As I grew older, I started babysitting for neighbors and family members, cementing my passion for working with kids.
Over the years, I’ve been repeatedly told that I have a natural affinity for children, which prompted me to pursue a certificate in child development. Witnessing the daily growth and learning of children continues to amaze me; their innate intelligence and boundless curiosity inspire me every day. I firmly believe in the power of education to shape young minds and empower them to achieve their full potential.
Encouraging children to explore, learn, and discover their capabilities is at the heart of my educational philosophy. I see education not just as imparting knowledge but as laying a solid foundation for their future success and well-being. A good education provides the tools and confidence necessary for children to navigate the complexities of life and contribute meaningfully to society.
In my role as an infant teacher, I strive to create a nurturing and stimulating environment where each child feels valued and supported. It is a privilege to play a part in their early years, fostering their development and preparing them for a lifetime of learning. I am dedicated to providing a safe, loving, and educational space where every child can thrive and grow into confident individuals ready to embrace the world ahead.

Thereza Cerna

Lead Teacher

For Thereza Cerna, her journey began with a deep-seated love for babysitting during her formative years, which swiftly blossomed into an unwavering dedication to nurturing children on a full-time basis. Now immersed in her role for six years at Meaningful Beginnings, Thereza finds immense joy in her work, particularly in witnessing the sheer delight that lights up children’s faces each morning. Beyond the daily routines, she sees her role as integral to shaping the early development and milestones of her students. Every interaction is an opportunity for Thereza to forge meaningful connections with each child under her care.
Currently enrolled in the early childhood education program at Skyline/Cañada College, Thereza is committed not only to enhancing her professional skills but also to cultivating a profound impact on children’s lives. Her passion extends beyond the classroom; she sees herself on a lifelong mission to help young minds explore and embrace their unique passions and interests.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Thereza treasures moments spent with her family, cherishing quality time together. She also finds relaxation and creativity in crafting, a hobby that allows her to unwind and recharge.

Shenna Cabrera

Teacher’s Aide

Drawing deep inspiration from the loving guidance of her parents, grandparents, and dedicated teachers throughout her upbringing, Shenna Cabrera views her role as a daycare provider as an invaluable opportunity to impart knowledge and nurture the budding minds of tomorrow. Each day she steps into her workplace, Shenna eagerly anticipates witnessing the unfolding adventures of each child and eagerly listens to their captivating stories. She cherishes those magical moments when the children arrive at the center, their faces beaming with smiles, eagerly giving hugs, and brimming with excitement as they engage with their teachers and friends.
Originally from the Philippines, Shenna now calls California her home. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Our Lady of Fatima University before shifting her focus to Early Child Education, currently pursuing further studies at Skyline College. This educational journey reflects her deep commitment to providing the best possible care and educational foundation for young children.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Shenna finds solace and joy in spending quality time with her beloved family and cherished friends. Whether exploring new adventures together or simply enjoying leisurely moments, these connections bring her immense happiness and fulfillment. Shenna Cabrera’s journey as a daycare provider is deeply rooted in her passion for nurturing young minds, supported by a rich educational background and a strong sense of community and family ties.

Dai Calderon

Infant Teacher’s Aide

Originally from Southern California, Dai made the move to San Francisco to further her education at City College of San Francisco. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, a field that initially sparked her interest in working closely with children. Dai firmly believes that providing children with a strong support system, love, and guidance throughout their social, emotional, and intellectual development can profoundly impact their journey through life. This belief has motivated her to pursue a path in early childhood education, where she is dedicated to nurturing young minds and helping them thrive. Dai has been with Meaningful Beginnings for the past two years, where she has honed her skills as a teacher in the infant classroom.

Mireya Resendiz

Facility Assistant

Mireye is a mother of three children. She considers herself a responsible individual and a dedicated worker. Mireya’s career began in a restaurant where she accumulated over 10 years of experience. Following this, she spent approximately 4 years working at a senior facility center. Both roles demanded multitasking, excellent customer service, and efficient time management skills.
Currently, Mireya feels fortunate to be employed at a school, where she collaborates with a supportive team. She is committed to acquiring the skills necessary to effectively serve the school’s diverse student body.

Bianca Lua

Infant Teacher’s Aide

Coming soon….

Silvia Garcia

Lead Toddler Teacher

Hello everyone, my name is Ms. Silvia, and I’m thrilled to be the new Toddler Teacher at Meaningful Beginnings. I’d love to take a moment to share a bit about my journey with you.
I grew up in Fremont, in the East Bay, and began my career in the healthcare field, working as a medical assistant for 15 years. Eventually, I followed my heart and opened an in-home daycare in Las Vegas, where I spent five years caring for children. Upon returning to California, I decided to further my education at Theoria Technical College to pursue my dream of becoming a preschool teacher.
During my time at La Petite Academy in Pleasanton, I discovered my passion for caring for infants and toddlers, which became an incredibly fulfilling experience for me. My dedication to this field even earned me the honor of Teacher of the Year in my first year. I’m also a proud mother of a 19-year-old son, and yes, I miss him being little!
Being a teacher fills my heart with joy. Watching children grow, explore, and smile at daycare brings me immense happiness. Building strong relationships with families is also incredibly important to me.
Outside of teaching, I enjoy hiking, being outdoors, reading, traveling, practicing yoga, and following sports. The 49ers, Warriors, and Giants are my favorite teams! Most importantly, I cherish spending time with my loved ones, family, and friends.
I’m genuinely excited to be part of Meaningful Beginnings, and I look forward to meeting you all!

Amany Salah

Director

Coming soon….

Yarena Ozuna

Assistant Director

My name is Yarena Ozuna, I grew up in Los Angeles and moved to San Francisco during my senior year in highschool. I was originally a Psychology major and I received my Bachelor’s in Psychology from San Francisco State University. I wanted to become a child psychologist and work with children. I first got the opportunity to work with children as an aide in a preschool classroom and fell in love with the job.

I decided that I wanted to be in the education field and went back to school to get my certification to be a fully qualified teacher. I was a master teacher in my own classroom for around 3 years and then decided that I wanted to know what happened behind the scenes in a classroom, and got my certification to do administrative work in a school setting.

I am passionate about working with children and want to be able to provide them with the best education possible which is why I wanted to learn more about the intricate parts of running a program and become part of the team to help a center grow and thrive alongside the teachers. In my spare time I am constantly taking ECE
classes and learning more about the different policies in development. I like the outdoors and going for hikes and also like to cook, write, read, and spend time with family and friends.

 

REBECCA WANG

Assistant Director

Becoming a teacher was not only part of the plan for Rebecca Wang; it was the unequivocal dream – a dream that involved the passionate, never-ending pursuit of knowledge that would also enable her to impart her years of experience into the budding lives of children. This dream, now fully realized, continues to grow with each passing day as she seizes every new opportunity to help children flourish. Beyond instilling a lifelong love of learning into her students, she relishes the ability to infuse happiness into every stage of their unique learning journeys. Harnessing Meaningful Beginnings as a springboard for learning and creating a community that extends beyond a shared geographical location. She especially appreciates when our learners simply surprise themselves – and their parents and teachers, too – with the levels of learning they have accomplished. For her, that’s the greatest reward there is. A graduate of San Francisco State University, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development specializing in Early Childhood Education and can read and write fluent Mandarin.

Sandy Wan

Lead Infant Teacher

Born and raised in San Francisco, Sandy has always held a profound love of caring for babies and kids. A daycare worker since 2011, she cherishes every opportunity to see them grow and thrive while also encouraging them to think freely, embrace creativity, and be themselves. Hard-working by nature, she studied child development and CNA at City College of San Francisco. When she isn’t busy taking care of children at Meaningful Beginnings, you can find her out and about with family and friends.

Emily Pham

Infant Teacher

My name is Emily and I am an infant teacher. My aim with this position is to learn how children develop as unique individuals and learn how to support their holistic growth. I am currently a student at San Francisco
State University majoring in Child and Adolescent Development. With this experience, I am hoping to get a sense on whether I want to continue to work in the classroom or if I want to learn the administrative side of education. The experience of working directly with children is gratifying and I wish to create a safe space for children to explore with all of their senses as they develop their own personalities. I hope to be able to help build a strong foundation so that the children can have the confidence and ability to express themselves.

Nicole Ozuna

Infant Teacher

My name is Nicole and I am an infant teacher. My goal is to become a pediatrician and will be attending the University of California San Francisco in the Fall. I aim to gather experience by working with young children to learn firsthand about their development and discover their needs. I believe that it is essential to get to know the child as an individual and know the importance of teachers developing along with the child to support them physically, emotionally, cognitively, and socially. I want to create an environment where the children feel safe, at ease, and most importantly, where they can be themselves. I hope to create strong attachments and relationships with the infants where they can learn from me and I learn from them.

Ahlayah Shabazz

Educator

I am a San Francisco native who has always had a passion for working with children as well as helping others. From an early age I babysat for relatives as well as family friends. With this my passion for working with children only continued to grow. I then started working with kids with autism as a behavioral specialist providing ABA therapy for 2 years. I am a psychology major and originally strived to become a child psychologist or therapist but has recently fallen in love with the classroom setting and plans to double major in both psychology and child development.

Sadaf Shahid

Teacher

Described by others as friendly, silly, and funny, Sadaf Shahid joined the Meaningful Beginnings team a year ago and has since made a lasting impression on her students and colleagues alike. For Sadaf, it’s not just the team she works with, it’s the vibrant environment that the daycare fosters and the smiles on her kids’ faces that make the entire experience so incredibly special and worthwhile. A Muslim immigrant originally from Pakistan and a self-described family person who now calls San Francisco home, she attended San Francisco City College as part of her training and is ecstatic to put all her years of experience to good use and the benefit of a growing group of knowledge-hungry students. Deeply passionate about expanding every child’s horizon, she makes it her daily mission to elevate the learning experience by encouraging endless discovery through interactive exploration.

Marissa Sanchez

Educator

I am a California native from a small town called Dinuba and have always loved helping and making a difference in people’s lives. Before moving to San Francisco, I became a Missionary after graduating high school and had the opportunity to live in different parts of Asia for 3 years working with children. I fell in love with making a difference in a child’s life and being able to broaden their horizons. I am currently attending school to become a pediatric nurse to continue to make a difference.

Silvia Hernandez

Toddler Teacher’s Aide

I am a Southern California native from a town called Ontario. From an early age, I became an aunt and babysat for my nieces and nephews. With this experience, I realized my interest and passion for working with children. I love to see and help with the growth and development of young children. I am currently a sociology major looking to go into the field of social work.

Suki Yu

Toddler Teacher’s Aide

Hello, my name is Suki. I am a caring, patient, and responsible person with 2 children. Seeing children grow and learn happily makes me love working with them even more. I used to work as a volunteer at the child care center at City College of San Francisco. In my study and communication with teachers, I learned how to help children adapt to their new environment. In my interactions with children, I learned about their personalities and behaviors that allowed me to provide care catered to their individual needs. I am continuing my education in the field of early childhood education to improve my teaching practice.

When I am not at work, I like to go hiking, shopping, and traveling with my kids. I also like to play volleyball with my daughter.

Jacqueline Dudley

Toddler Teacher’s Aide

I am originally from Sacramento but always knew I would move to San Francisco one day. Growing up, I used to take the Amtrak train with my mom and brother to visit my grandparents in Alameda. This also happens to be where my parents met each other. Visiting the city when I was young holds many cherished memories for me. As I finish school in San Francisco to get my teaching units, I hope to one day be an art teacher in my own classroom. I hope to make the students’ beginnings here as meaningful and memorable as my own.