MEET OUR TEAM
At PHMS, our faculty and staff combine passion, dedication, and flexibility with the wisdom of many years spent teaching children to achieve their fullest potential.
Ms. Janice cunanan
Toddler Class Head Teacher
Ms Janice earned her degree of B.S in Psychology in one of the top universities in the Philippines, St. Paul University Manila, and took up continuous Professional Education in Special Education at The University of the Philippines in Diliman. She received her Montessori Teaching Credentials from American Montessori Society (AMS), where she completed the following three programs - Infancy, Early Childhood and Administrations. Afterwards, she has been a Junior Teacher then Head Teacher in a Montessori school in Bay Area, where she has 3-year experience in both Primary Program and Toddler Program. She loves children and is devoted to teaching young children as her future career.
Ms. stephanie yan
Primary Class Head Teacher
Ms. Stephanie encountered Montessori Philosophy through a friend. After researching and observing, she was drawn by the Montessori Philosophy and decided to further immerse herself in the Montessori field. Ms. Stephanie completed her AMI Primary Training at Washington Montessori Institute - WMI. She also holds a Masters Degree in Education from Loyola University in Maryland. Before joining PHMS, she has been teaching in a Montessori school in southern California for 7 years. Along with believing in every child’s potential, she believes in their innate goodness. Her aim is to guide each child in a positive way and encourage them to learn, discover and to become a lifelong learner. Ms. Stephanie speaks English and Mandarin Chinese.
Mr. Alexei Wajchman
Music and Dance Enrichment Program Teacher
Mr. Alexei has been teaching children’s music since 2010. He interned with Enzo Garcia in his acclaimed program, LMNO Music, and has taught at many SF preschools, including Big City Montessori, Mission Montessori, Stepping Stones Preschool, Montessori Children's House of the West Coast, Little Tree Preschool, Children's Day School, Montessori House of Children, Noe Valley Family Music, and Gan Noe Preschool. In his classes, children learn songs ranging from traditional children’s music and fingerplays to original songs, folk classics, doo-wop, and rock n’ roll. His goal as a teacher and performer is to inspire his students, build their self- esteem, emphasize their common bonds, and encourage their imaginations.
ms. Alice Wells
Ballet Class Enrichment Program Teacher (Partner with Smuin Contemporary Ballet)
Ms. Alice is a dance educator specializing in Ballet, Modern, and Jazz for all levels and ages. She has danced and taught all over the country and made her way to sunny San Francisco in 2021. Alice has always been a teacher at heart, assisting classes throughout middle and high school, and absolutely loves sharing the joys and challenges of the art form. In her six years of teaching, she has enjoyed watching her students gain self-confidence, build strength, and achieve their goals. Dancers can look forward to learning ballet terminology, coordination skills, and rhythm in her classes. Alice is excited to be joining Smuin Center for Dance this year and being the Ballet Class Enrichment Program Teacher at PHMS!
ms. meredith bond
Art & Crafts Enrichment Program Teacher
Ms. Meredith is from Monterey Bay and is working towards her BFA in Graphic Design at California College of the Arts. She loves all kinds of art, drawing, painting, sculpting, weaving, and making animations. She sees art as a way of visual communication and loves finding new modes of expression, and inspiring others to imagine possibilities with art. She is excited to join the Potrero Hill Montessori School and inspire young minds to create, something she has done since she was a child.