Teacher Karen (they/them)

Born in Southern California, Ms. Johnson moved to the Bay Area to complete her education at St. Mary’s College, and become an early childhood educator in 2000. She joined GLM as an assistant teacher in August 2023, and is thrilled to celebrate the joy that her students ignite while exploring their environment and the Montessori method. When not being inspired by children and her team of co-teachers. She is an art and yoga specialist for Girl Scout volunteers, yoga studios, and in the GLM aftercare program. She loves to dance, scrapbook, go on hikes and dress up as famous artists like Georgia O’Keefe, Frida Kahlo and Yayoi Kusama.

Ms. Culler (she/her)

Ms. Koerber (she/her)

Ms. Koerber was born in Seattle, Washington to the proud parents of Mary and Johnny Anderson of Hot Springs and Hope, Arkansas. She grew up in Monterey, California near the beach. In 1971 Leta’s family relocated to Berkeley, California where Leta enjoyed taking care of her three younger siblings. Leta graduated from Golden Gate Academy and moved to Riverside, California and attended Riverside Medical School; after a year she realized that this was not the direction she wanted to go. Leta graduated from Contra Costa Collage in San Pablo, California persuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. In 1989 Leta started searching for a job closer to home. She feels blessed to be a part of the Grand Lake Montessori community. After working in the afternoon program and assisting Ms. Campbell in the toddler classroom, she realized that furthering her education in Montessori would be a good idea. She started taking classes at Contra Costa College through Fountainhead Montessori School. Following, supporting, having fun, and being a true advocate for the child is what Leta believes helps children develop fully. She enjoys all types of music, singing, dancing outdoor adventures and being in the Juniper classroom, which keeps her young and her brain sharp.

Ms. Brooke (she/her)

Mr. LaRocca (he/him)

Vincent LaRocca grew up in California between Los Angeles and Riverside. He moved to the Bay Area after graduating from high school. Vincent attended Merritt college in the Fall of 2018, where he took his courses in early childhood development and earned his Assistant Teacher certificate. His observations in early childhood education environments taught him that children are inherent learners, as they naturally explore their surroundings. Subsequently, he became enamored with the very curious nature and love that children have for learning. It was then he decided to begin his journey in the Montessori practice of child development. Vincent joined GLM in July, 2018. He is inspired by children’s potential and wants to be a model support for them on their journey of life. Vincent enjoys listening to music, stand up comedy, hiking and exploring the Bay Area, and finding new spots to eat delicious food.

Ms. Harmony (she/her)

Ms. Victoria (they/them/she/her)

Jaquelyn Dela Cruz

Ms. Dela Cruz was born in San Francisco, California and grew up in Richmond, California. She is the oldest of two sisters. Ms. Dela Cruz began working with school-aged children after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, East Bay. She worked as a Substitute Teacher in grades K-6 in the West Contra Costa Unified School District for five years. During this time, Ms. Dela Cruz decided to pursue Early Childhood Education courses at a community college. She realized her true passion was working with children from birth-3 years and pursued a full-time career as an Assistant Teacher at a child care center in 2012. Most of Ms. Dela Cruz’s teaching experience has been as an Assistant Teacher in an infant and toddler classroom. In 2018, Ms. Dela Cruz decided to explore and transition into working at a Montessori school. She felt very connected to the Montessori philosophy and method particularly children’s care of self and care for the environment. In Ms. Dela Cruz’s free time, she enjoys listening to music, running, and exploring new restaurants in the SF/Bay Area.

Teacher Keri (they/them)

Coming soon.

Coreen Clark

Ms. Clark was born in Denver, Colorado and was raised on the east coast in Alabama and Maryland. She comes from a large, close-knit family and has more than a dozen nieces and nephews who sparked her love of children. She received her bachelor’s degree in sociology with a psychology minor from Brigham Young University in Utah, and she moved to the Bay Area in 2012. In San Francisco, she worked with elementary-aged children for over 3 years and gained experience with preschoolers at Friends of Potrero Hill Preschool. She came to Grand Lake Montessori after working as an Assistant Teacher in a primary-age classroom at LePort Montessori Preschool in Emeryville. Ms. Clark joined GLM in 2018 and finished her AMI Montessori Certification in 2021. She believes strongly in the Montessori philosophy of allowing children the freedom to explore and learn independently and at their own pace. Ms. Clark has a particular interest in art, stories, film, and geography. She also loves music and plays piano in her spare time.