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GeoKids Staff
Our teachers and staff are chosen for their warmth and compassion, their knowledge of child development, and their ability to support families. Respect is the underlying element in the philosophy of GeoKids. Respect is not limited to the children who are served by the program but is also extended to the families, staff, and cultures included in the program.
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Heather Morado, Executive Director
Heather has more than 15 years of experience working with teachers, families, and children in the Bay Area. She has been a part of the GeoKids community since the spring of 1998. She is a strong advocate for children and families. Heather has focused on a reflective, responsive, and collaborative approach in her work as the director of GeoKids.
Heather is an active member of and presenter for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). She has presented various workshops all over the country and has worked closely with the Innovative Teacher Project for the past five years. She traveled with her staff to Reggio Emilia, Italy, as a part of the Spring 2006 delegation that was organized by Reggio Children.
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Robin Jurs, Assistant Director
Robin has worked in the field of early childhood education for more than 28 years. She has been a teacher, education coordinator, program director, assistant director, director, and professional development trainer. She is looking forward to more years of supporting staff, children, and their families at GeoKids. Robin began her career at the University of California, Berkeley, then directed her own infant/toddler program in Berkeley for 12 years before she moved to Massachusetts with her family. In Western Massachusetts, Robin worked at Hampshire College, Smith College, Mount Holyoke, and UMass in various capacities serving young children and their families.
She has worked on local affiliate boards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and has served as president of the Regional New England affiliate of NAEYC. She has presented workshops on both the local and statewide level. She has participated in advocacy work in California as well as Massachusetts to raise issues central to both the quality and availability of care for young children as well as cultural competence among early care and education professionals. What keeps her interested in the work? She is always thinking about how children think and supporting teachers to engage fully in their own reflective professional development to enhance their classroom practice on a daily basis.
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Marna Caballero
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Nicole Chermat
Nicole has been working with children for more than a decade and has been with GeoKids since 2006. She loves the way the world is so new and fascinating to young children, and she views them as constant reminders to learn from every experience. Nicole's interest in the field of early education is finding inspiration in the Reggio Emilia approach and integrating it within the context of play-based preschool programs here in the U.S.
When Nicole is not working, she is spending time with her own young children and sewing for her hobby business.
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Kelly Davies
In 2003, Kelly began her career working one-on-one with young children and adolescents. After a few years in behavioral health services, she decided that she most enjoyed working with children ages 0 to 5. She spent about four years in early intervention, advocating for children while working in a recovery center in San Francisco. Kelly found her way to GeoKids in September 2009.
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Tuija Dea
I started working at GeoKids in April 2006. I've always loved working with children—it's amazing to see how fast they can grow and develop in such a short amount of time. It's wonderful to be a part of this and to witness the amazing things they learn every day!
When I am not working, I am a part-time student. I love spending time with my family and friends. I also love to travel and play sports.
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Monica Galvao
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Rika Green
I began working at GeoKids in May 2009. After teaching English to children in Japan, I moved to the United States and worked in a different field, but I realized my passion is working with infants and toddlers. I enjoy sharing their little discoveries and seeing their amazing growth every day.
When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing with my cat, going for walks, and studying Italian.
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Linnea Hilton
Linnea has been with GeoKids since 1997 and she has been working with young children for 12 years. What she enjoys most about her work with kids is exploring their world with them. They continually illuminate its possibilities, joys, and wonders.
Her hobbies include traveling, reading, and interacting with the people and world around her.
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Stacey James
Stacey began working with young children and their families at GeoKids in 1996. She came to education from an entirely different career after deciding it was the most meaningful work that she could do. Stacey says it's continually challenging, frequently exhilarating, and always fulfilling.
She has a B.A. in Child Development and is working on her master's degree. Her son youngest is a GeoKids alum. Her main hobbies are gardening and cooking. She also enjoys needlework and playing the piano.
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Nicholas Kleeman-Keller
I have been teaching at GeoKids since the beginning of 2009, after receiving my training in early childhood education at Cabrillo College in Santa Cruz County. I value strong communities and am proud to have returned to my hometown to rejoin my family, who are also educators, in making our area a great place to live and learn. I love the way that working with young children puts me in touch with basic elements. I enjoy hearing childrenŐs stories and fresh perspectives and making connections with them in the natural world.
Outside of school, I am an avid gardener and enjoy bicycling, folk music, and wilderness adventures.
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Sandy Liou
I have been part of the GeoKids community since 2006. The best part about my work is, of course, being with the children, who never cease to impress me with how capable they are and inspire me with their love and curiosity for learning and life. It is also very rewarding and wonderful working with co-teachers, staff, and families who view and treat children as capable individuals in their own rights.
My interests outside of work include running, hiking, traveling, and reading.
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Chae Marshall
I began my career with GeoKids in 2000 and have been in the child development field for nine years. My favorite aspect of working with children is witnessing their discoveries.
When not working, I am focused on taking care of my child and watching the occasional movie.
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Tracy Pierce
I started working seven years ago, but I've been working in the classroom since I was 14 years old and have been teaching since that time. My affection for GeoKids is so strong that I cannot imagine teaching anywhere else. Preschool is my passion, and I'm always amazed at what preschoolers can already do and how they view life.
My hobbies include outdoor adventure travel, working on my home, and spending time with my partner, family, and friends.
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Monique Pryor
Monique has 10-plus years of experience in educational and community-based environments that champion families. As a preschool teacher, she is dedicated to fostering an atmosphere that supports, enriches, and challenges in the process of self-expression, creative thinking, love of learning, and the joy of laughter.
She is passionate about the Reggio Emilia approach and participates in the Bay Area Innovative Teacher Project Roundtables.
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Clara Rivas
I began teaching at GeoKids in 2007. I started my career in the child development field in 2001 as a teacher in an infant program. During my time as a teacher in the child development field, I have enjoyed watching children learn and grow. It has also been a great feeling to witness the wonder they find in simple everyday things.
When not working, I spend time with my family and friends. I also enjoy scrapbooking.
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Marisol Rocha
I have been at GeoKids for about 10 years. I started as a teacher's aide and soon discovered that working with young children was what I wanted to do. I have obtained my ECE units and will continue with my education in this field.
When not working, I spend my time with my two daughters and enjoy them greatly!
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Lyn Rupprecht
I have worked with young children and families for many years, both in the United Kingdom and here in California. I joined GeoKids in 2007. I love my job because it gives me the opportunity to witness each child's unique path of development and each day offers fresh challenges and new experiences.
When not at work, I am usually studying, reading, or spending time with my family and my two very naughty cats. I am also an avid San Jose Sharks fan.
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Susan Thayer
Parenthood helped me discover my passion for child development and the need for high-quality childcare. Changing careers, I obtained a B.A. in Child Development and discovered my interest in the Reggio Emilia approach. I feel honored to be a part of the GeoKids community and look forward to my challenging and joyful job every day!
My other interests include traveling, learning, and enjoying time with friends and family—especially my wonderful daughter!
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Justina Trujillo
I began working at GeoKids in July 1998. I have been working with children for almost nine years, and my favorite aspect is that the journey is never ending for both the child and me.
When not working, I enjoy spending time with my family—in particular watching my nephew play t-ball. I also enjoy camping, bike riding, and fishing.
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