Staff | Grand Lake Montessori

Mr. Gordillo was born in California and is a proud Oakland native. He hold’s a BA in Liberal Studies (multi-subject) from Cal State East Bay as well as a Primary Montessori Teaching Diploma from Montessori Northwest. Mr. Gordillo’s interest in working with children began in 2013 when he volunteered for a non-profit organization as a reading tutor in several elementary schools in East Oakland. The organization focused on closing the literacy gap in underserved schools. In 2016 he began working for that same non-profit as a tier two-literacy interventionist. He discovered GLM through a substitute agency he was working for. It was here that he was introduced to the Montessori philosophy, which resonated with him. He very much liked that the philosophy deepens one’s understanding of the potential of children and their unique abilities to transform the world. When he is not at GLM, he enjoys going on long hikes, playing the piano, writing scores, live music and spending time with family and friends.

Ms. Gonzalez (she/her)

I was born in Jalisco, Mexico as were both of my parents. My family and I moved to California when I was 3 years old. I am the oldest of four siblings. I grew up in San Leandro and I still continue to live there. In High School, I attended vocational classes with a focus on Careers in Education. Through this program, I interned in a family home daycare, kindergarten and first grade classroom. After High school, I began to take Early Childhood Development classes. In 2018, I completed my AMI Assistant to Infancy training with Montessori Northwest. For 2 years, I worked as a Montessori Infant Head teacher. I’ve also worked as a Nanny to a wonderful kid for 3 years. I enjoy watching and helping children learn how to be better versions of themselves. My goal is for children to build confidence by being independent and be excited to learn everyday. During my free time, I enjoy reading fiction books, sun bathing, making healthy meals and spending time with my family and friends.

Ms. Jordan (she/her)

Ms. Jordan is from Oakland and currently a student at CCSF furthering her education in Early Child Development and Psychology. She is a mother of two and her interest in children began at an early age supporting her mother with her two younger brothers. She adores children and thinks that we learn from them just as much as they learn from us. She is excited to start her first year at Grand Lake Montessori. Her passions outside of school include volunteering at local nonprofit schools, spending time with her family, cooking, and traveling.

Ms. Woubidil (she/her)

Ms. Eckert was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and moved to California in 2003. She has lived in the Bay Area for a majority of her life. She started working professionally with children in 2019 at a home based center in San Rafael. That is where she was inspired to dive deep into the early childhood field taking child development courses at the College of Marin and more recently Merritt College. She received her Associate Teacher certificate from Merritt College while simultaneously working at a play-based center in Oakland. Through her courses she was introduced to the Montessori philosophy which is why she gravitated towards GLM. She aspires to highlight and celebrate individuality in children.