Our teachers are a dedicated group of early childhood educators whose level of commitment does not stop at the classroom door. The teachers will encourage your child to explore and discover new ideas and to reach their full potential. Excellent student-teacher ratios ensure each child receives individual and caring attention.
Charleen Kuykendall
Charleen is a team teacher and our Nature Adventure leader. Charleen has a K-8 teaching credential and has spent all of her adult life teaching preschool. Charleen taught for many years at the San Rafael JCC/ECE, and then decide it was time to retire and “enjoy” life! She then chose to volunteer for local food outreach programs (another passion), take classes, go out to lunch and on hikes with friends etc. At that point she heard that Gan had gotten The Outdoor Classroom Certificate and she came to see what that was all about. It was then that she realized one cannot teach all of their lives and then walk out and close that door. That day, Charleen offered to volunteer once a week and began teaching a beloved Nature Detective program at Gan. From there it was with a happy realization that she decided, she actually wasn’t ready to retire after all! Charleen has a grown son and daughter, seven grandchildren (all grown except for two teenagers), and two greatgrandchildren. Oh, yes and a husband who understands that she will be a much happier wife coming out of retirement!
“I am honored and excited to be spending more hours and days at the BEST preschool ever—GIP!”
Libby Reyff
Libby is a team teacher at Gan, in both the morning and afternoon program. Libby holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Analysis from Scripps College, and is passionate about the positive impacts of outdoor education on children. While at Scripps, they worked to develop outdoor ed curriculum at a community garden, and are always dreaming up ideas for how to strengthen the garden-based curriculum at Gan.
Libby has worked in libraries for the past decade, and loves reading stories with children, especially those that build upon what interests are emerging in the classroom. They bring a curiosity-driven approach to working with children, with a focus on growing their resiliency and sense of confidence through exploratory play. Libby especially enjoys sharing guitar music with all the friends at Gan, hosting weekly singalong and dance circles.
Betsy Surtshin
Betsy is the lead teacher advisor of our pre-K class - the Mountaineers group. Betsy joined our team after working at the Osher-Marin ECE for many years. She is a great addition to our school where she shares her knowledge and experience with both the children and their families. In her teaching, Betsy values learning alongside the children, helping them make discoveries, and developing their unique talents and gifts. Betsy is building our outdoor learning environment, helping the children and staff experience nature in a meaningful way on a daily basis. She provides an emergent curriculum, where she is guided by both her knowledge of children’s development and the interests and ideas of her students.
Nancy Hernandez
Nancy is a team teacher at Gan, in both the morning and afternoon program. Nancy began her journey into the world of Early Childhood Education in 2006 at the Santa Rosa Community College. During that time she volunteered as a TA in a 1st grade at Matanzas Elementary School in Santa Rosa and her love for learning with young children was revealed. In addition to her professional work with young children, Nancy is also an aunt and caregiver to her 3 beautiful and rambunctious nephews.
Nancy began working at Gan in the fall of 2017 and in her words, “…has enjoyed being part of such a unique community. As a demonstration Outdoor Classroom site, I’ve learned that anything that can be taught indoors can be explored deeper outdoors. In fact it’s more of a realistic approach to seeing the wonders of our environment. It is rewarding to see the children truly invested in all that learning brings. I’m thankful for this opportunity and very much excited to keep learning from these tiny humans.”
Mushky Rice
Mushky is a team teacher at Gan as well as our art specialist. With a degree in fine arts from Tufts University, Mushky uses their explorative nature and art background to learn with the children. Mushky excels at bringing forward their creativity, introducing them to new art mediums/expressions and encouraging each child to grow their own creative confidence.
Mushky does a lot of clay exploration and educates by getting messy alongside the children. Bringing their love for problem-solving through creativity, they are excited to see what each child brings to the mediums presented. “Learning outdoors presents ephemeral exploration and problem solving that leads to endless possibilities for growing and learning.”
Bet Heyward
Bet is a team teacher at Gan, both in the morning and afternoon program. Her passion for supporting all facets of childhood development runs deep and spans many years. After earning her Multi-Subject Teaching Credential at San Francisco State University, she taught 1st grade, Kindergarten, and then Pre-Kindergarten. The boundless curiosity and uninhibited spark of children in their earliest years of learning captured her heart. During this time, Bet also followed a calling to work with babies and toddlers with special needs. Over the last 5 years, she has worked as an Early Intervention Developmental Therapist with young children and their families and has completed her MA in Special Education.
“Through all of my experiences in teaching, I’ve recognized that the social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and adaptive development of young children blossom when learning takes place outdoors as much as possible. In nature, we feel calm and grounded, yet alert - an ideal state for experiential learning, collaborative play, building self-confidence, and engaging in creative pursuits. I’m looking forward to partnering with your family and being able to share in supporting your child’s unique personality and gifts.
Along with teaching, I find joy in exercise, gardening, cooking, thrifting, road-tripping, loving on all species of animals, and being barefoot!
Jamie Kuhn
Jamie is a team teacher at Gan, both in the morning and afternoon program. Jamie is currently studying Early Childhood Education at the College of Marin, and is working towards a bachelor’s degree in Child Development. Growing up on her family’s farm, she developed a deep love for the outdoors and for nature exploration. She loves exploring nature with the children, finding bugs and worms, and learning new things every day.
In the past few years, she has worked as a baker and camp counselor. She loves building, creating and playing. In her free time, she loves to hike and swim with her dog, play the fiddle, and sew her own clothes.