Ms. carmen mo

Infant Class Head Teacher

Ms. Carmen, our infant class Head Teacher, has over 15 years of experience in early childhood education. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in the field and has been teaching preschool since 1999, both in the US and China. With a deep understanding of Montessori principles, Ms. Carmen creates nurturing, stimulating environments that foster the development and growth of our youngest students.

In addition to her educational expertise, Ms. Carmen is a warm, caring individual who loves children. She is also a native Mandarin speaker and can communicate in English for daily needs. Outside the classroom, Ms. Carmen enjoys cooking and crafting in her spare time.

Ms. Linda Wu

Infant Class Montessori Teacher

Ms. Linda’s passion lies in working with young children, especially those aged 0-3, as she believe this is a crucial period for their growth and development. Through her experiences, she understands that each child's progress requires dedicated attention and support.

Ms. Linda has 15 credits in Early Childhood Education (including Infant and Toddler Care) and holds a Montessori certificate for children aged 0-3. This training has equipped her to foster children's confidence and learning abilities through free exploration. Additionally, she is CPR certified, ensuring that she can respond effectively to emergencies and maintain the safety of the children in her care.

In her previous role as an assistant teacher at a family day care in San Francisco, Ms. Linda gained valuable experience interacting with children of various ages. Ms. Linda is committed to providing patient, attentive care and support to all children at our school.

Ms. Safa ba bakr

Toddler Class 2 Head Teacher

Ms. Safa has previously worked at Bright Horizon on Kansas Street for the past three years as an infant and toddler teacher. She also has experience as a 3rd-grade teacher for two years. She holds 12 ECE units, including an infant and toddler care course, CPR & First Aid certification. Ms. Safa is a Potrero Hill resident and she is passionate about teaching young children and is committed to their growth and development.

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.

Ms. Gladys Leon-Alamo

Primary Class Co-Lead Teacher

Ms. Gladys was born in New York and but was raised in South Carolina. Ms. Gladys is an experienced teacher and has been with PHMS since May of 2023. She used to work in our Toddler Class for one year and established a close bonding relationship with toddler class children and families before she moved to Primary Class. Before joining PHMS, she has been working in another Montessori school in San Francisco for about two years. Since she was a little girl, Ms. Gladys always wanted to be a teacher. She loves being a teacher because she loves making learning fun and also making an environment for the children to love coming to school to learn and make friends.

Ms. Andrea Marcelo

Primary Class Montessori-Trained Junior Teacher

Ms. Andrea is a dedicated and passionate educator with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, majoring in Special Education. Ms. Andrea is all set to complete the Early Childhood coursework at the Montessori Teacher Education Center in the Bay Area. She brings with her two years of teaching experience in the Philippines, where she honed her skills in early childhood education by teaching Kindergarten and School Readiness classes in a preschool setting. Currently as a Montessori teacher, she is committed to guiding children through the Montessori approach, which emphasizes independence, creativity, and exploration. Ms. Andrea is excited to start in Potrero Hill Montessori's Primary class, where she believes in helping children learn through hands-on activities and providing a supportive environment where they can grow and develop at their own pace. She is dedicated to fostering a nurturing and stimulating learning environment in the Primary classroom at PHMS.

Ms. Larissa villegas

Montessori-Trained Junior Teacher

Ms. Larissa holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology earned in her home country, Mexico. She is a passionate and dedicated early childhood educator with a strong foundation in Psychology from her studies in Mexico, complemented by experience in music education. A certified Early Childhood educator, she has completed her Montessori training through the American Montessori Society (AMS) and has spent the past year teaching at another Montessori school in San Francisco. 

A native Spanish speaker who is also fluent in English, Ms. Larissa has had the joy of working with children in both Mexico and San Francisco. She brings a multicultural perspective and language skills to her teaching practice.

Ms. Larissa is thrilled to join the PHMS community, where she will contribute her experience, passion, and Montessori training to the classroom—supporting student learning and activities. She will split her day between the Toddler program and Primary class, collaborating with fellow educators to foster a warm, engaging, and developmentally rich environment for exploration and discovery. 

ms. Tate Lancaster

Art & Crafts Enrichment Program Teacher

Ms. Tate graduated from Brown University in 2020 and holds a Bachelor degree in Literary Arts. She is originally from Atlanta, Georgia and has been a sub teacher for a Montessori school in Atlanta for 6 months. She came to the Bay Area about two years ago and had been the Teen and Fellowship Program Administrator at Berkeley Repertory Theater. She loves art as well as children, and is excited for the Art Teacher position at our school!

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. Emma andre

Ballet Class Enrichment Program Teacher (Partner with Smuin Contemporary Ballet)

Emma Andre is a dancer, choreographer, and teacher based in Oakland, California. They studied contemporary dance with an emphasis in ballet at The Boston Conservatory, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2021. After graduating Emma moved to New York to work as a freelance performer and teacher. There, she had the pleasure of teaching children within the New York Public School system. Emma moved to Oakland in June of 2023, and has enjoyed dancing and connecting with students in the Bay Area. Since moving, they have had the pleasure of teaching at Berkeley Ballet Theater, Boys and Girls Club of SF, TuTu School, and Smuin Ballet.