Our Team - West
I was raised in sunny Petaluma. My parents and most of my family still reside here today. Our family is very involved within the community, some own businesses, while others are also in the field of education. Even before graduating from high school I recognized my passion to work with children through employment at a local preschool. I went on to further my education in Early Childhood Development in which I hold an AA. Shortly after I attended Sacramento State in which I majored in Liberal Studies.
I continued my career at another renowned preschool in Penngrove, where I was Head Pre-Kindergarten teacher. My every day encounters with the children and assisting the Director lead me to envision having my own preschool.
Today I proudly own Petaluma Village Preschool. I am in the classroom everyday applying and implementing all the wonderful concepts I have learned. Together with an amazing staff and astounding parents, we are able to continue to make Petaluma Village a magnificent, nurturing and thriving school for all children. My greatest reward is the smile on a child’s face.
Casey Schmidt (Owner)
Hello my name is Rebecca Lauchenauer! Born and raised in Marin County and now residing in Petaluma, I graduated from California State University, Chico in 2019 with a Bachelor’s in Child Development. My journey with children began in middle school when I started babysitting, and I quickly discovered my passion for nurturing young minds.
Over the years, I have gained valuable experience in various roles, including nannying, summer camps, aftercare programs, and most recently, as a preschool teacher for five years. My favorite part of working with children is witnessing their curiosity and creativity flourish, as well as building meaningful connections and seeing their growth.
In my free time, I enjoy reading, baking, attending country concerts, and spending time at Blue Lakes and the Russian River with friends and family.
I am excited to embark on this journey at Petaluma Village and look forward to getting to know all the wonderful children and families!
Becca Lauchenauer (Teacher/Assistant Director)
Hello my name is Kimberly Grayson. I have been teaching children in family daycare and preschool environments for over 15 years. With three children of my own, working with children is a true passion of mine.
I graduated from CSU Sacramento with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science, emphasis upon psychology, government and sociology. I received my Associative Teacher Certificate at Santa Rosa Junior College. I have also attended a series of Early Childhood workshops and look forward to participating in more.
In my free time, I enjoy hiking with my husband, gardening, reading a good book and cooking exciting new dishes for my family and friends. My children and their various school/sporting activities are also a large part of my life. I truly love being a part of a child’s growth and development. Watching and participating in this important stage in their lives is both an honor and privilege that I cherish in my teaching experiences.
Kim Grayson (Teacher)
Hi everyone! My name is Daysha and I'm so happy to join Petaluma Village Preschool team. I’m a graduate of California State University Sacramento, with a bachelor's in Health Science with plans to return to school to complete my nursing degree. While in college I was a student-athlete on the track and field team. While competing I was able to participate in summer camps that helped middle school kids develop their own interests in sports that they otherwise might not have the opportunity to try in Sacramento County. I was also able to take child and development classes while in school. This greatly influenced me to pursue working with children full-time.
I am so happy to meet and get to know all the Petaluma Village Preschool families, and I’m excited for the amazing school years to come
Daysha Ford (Teacher)
Anela Hollis (Teacher)
Hello everyone! My name is Anela Hollis. I was born in Maui, Hawaii and moved to Sebastopol, California when I was five years old. I graduated from San Francisco State in 2015 with a MA in Museum Studies with an emphasis in Education and worked at the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County for several years as their outreach assistant. I discovered how much I loved working with and playing with younger children and earned my ECE Associate Teacher’s certificate from the Santa Rosa Junior College in 2019.
As a teacher and educator, I strongly believe in letting children guide me in their play and learning and helping them foster their own sense of self-confidence and independence by allowing them do.
I have been a resident of Penngrove for more then 35 years. I graduated from Marymount Manhattan College in New York and moved to California as a young adult. When my sons began attending preschool, I volunteered to introduce the students to Spanish. Shortly thereafter, I was given the opportunity to create a foreign language program at the school. When they began elementary school, I had an additional opportunity to introduce a new school community to Spanish. During this time I created school events celebrating diversity and assembled a collection of over 400 books of Spanish/English literature. I wanted to expose my children and other children to the language and culture that I had inherited from my Puerto Rican parents. Twenty years later, I have begun a new chapter in my life. I returned to school and earned 12 ECE units. I have a great interest in literature which I enjoy sharing. I also have a passion for teaching and a love of children.
Nilsa Reischmann (Teacher / Spanish)
My name is Shamima Haque. I have been living in Petaluma since 2011. I have one son. I used to work at Little Oaks Montessori from 2011-2014. I have a bachelors degree in Related Arts and Child Development. I have finished 6 units from Cerro Coso Community College. The first class was Intro to Infant Development and the second class was Child, Family, and Community. I love working with children and worked at Tiny Tots for 1 year and I have been working with children for over 20 years. I am excited to start working with the children of Petaluma Village Preschool.
Shamima Haque (Teacher)
Hello PVP families, my name is Kearstin. Growing up I lived on the east side of Petaluma with my parents and younger brother. I went to Casa Grande High School and graduated in 2018. Since graduating, I have been continuing on with my education at Santa Rosa Junior College. I am expected to graduate December 2021 with an AA in Social and Behavioral Science and a Certificate in Early Childhood Education. In my free time I enjoy going to the beach, hiking, working out, drawing with charcoal and spending time with my friends and family. After I graduated, I managed a health club in Cotati for two years. I started babysitting at the age of 13 and have been working with children ever since. Once I started nannying full time I realized I wanted to make a career out of working with children. I take pride in being a guide in your child’s learning journey. I am beyond grateful to be working with your children and to have the opportunity to grow alongside them. I look forward to continuing to have a positive impact on the children's growth and to new discoveries with an amazing team of teachers at PVP.
Kearstin Jason (Teacher)
My name is Rana Fakhouri. l've been living in Petaluma since 2000, I have 3 grown up kids and 2 grandkids. I used to work at Petaluma Village Preschool from (2009-2016) then I moved back home for 4 years, now I am coming back and so excited to start and take care of your little ones. I love working with Children, when I came back I worked at Tiny Tots for 2 years, and I have been working with children for more than 15 years. I have a bachelor's degree in math and child development units from Santa Rosa junior college . Can’t wait to start working with the little angels.
Rana Fakhouri (Teacher)
Our Team - East
I was raised in sunny Petaluma. My parents and most of my family still reside here today. Our family is very involved within the community, some own businesses, while others are also in the field of education. Even before graduating from high school I recognized my passion to work with children through employment at a local preschool. I went on to further my education in Early Childhood Development in which I hold an AA. Shortly after I attended Sacramento State in which I majored in Liberal Studies.
I continued my career at another renowned preschool in Penngrove, where I was Head Pre-Kindergarten teacher. My every day encounters with the children and assisting the Director lead me to envision having my own preschool.
Today I proudly own Petaluma Village Preschool. I am in the classroom everyday applying and implementing all the wonderful concepts I have learned. Together with an amazing staff and astounding parents, we are able to continue to make Petaluma Village a magnificent, nurturing and thriving school for all children. My greatest reward is the smile on a child’s face.
Casey Schmidt (Owner)
Hi everyone! My name is Yareli, and I am excited to be a part of this team. I was born and raised here in Petaluma, and went to Corona Creek, Kenilworth and Casa Grande. I recently graduated from Sonoma State University with my B.A. in Early Childhood Studies with a Concentration in Education in the Winter of 2021.
I have always enjoyed working with children of all ages, specifically younger children. I volunteered at the SCOE preschool at my elementary school in 6th grade, and knew from there on that I wanted to work with children. In high school, I volunteered at Cypress School, which had special needs individuals from ages 3 through 22. I focused more towards the younger age, which only reinforced my desire to go to college and earn a degree for this area. During my observation courses in college, I was able to work beside kindergarten and first grade students, and really visioned myself as their teacher and how I could be there one day.
In my free time, I enjoy doing arts and crafts, walking, and hiking. Aside from that, I currently keep busy with helping my mom with errands and medically related issues. My fiancé and I are currently planning our wedding this Summer of 2023, so that keeps me busy too!
I am looking forward to becoming part of this team that will help build a healthy, safe, and fun learning environment for the children!
Yareli Vallejo-Saldana (Director)
Hello Everyone! My name is Magnolia Steele. Petaluma has been the only home I have ever known. I am the eldest in my family. I have two little brothers that are currently in high school and elementary school. The saying that it takes a village to raise a child, is true! I helped my parents who both worked full time look after my younger siblings. Helping to take care of them made me fall in love with teaching and spending time with children. By attending and graduated from the Santa Rosa Junior College with an AA in Humanitarian Studies. I am now able to do something that I love and turn it in to a rewarding career! In my free time I love to read, go swimming, and spend time with my family/ friends/ pets. I am what you would call a homebody. But luckily for me I have an adorable two-year-old English Bulldog, named Roosevelt, to keep me company. During the spring and summer my weekends are typically busy with attending Petaluma Little League games. My youngest brother plays, and my father is a coach/board member. I can’t wait to meet you all!
Magnolia Steele (Teacher)
​Hello! My name is Karli Douthett. I’m from Southern California, near Santa Barbara. I just moved here, as I’m attending Sonoma State University, where I’m studying psychology and studio art. Back home, I worked in a variety of Early Childhood Education teaching positions from an infant teacher to a lead preschool teacher. I truly enjoy working with little ones! In my free time I enjoy surfing, skateboarding, and watching movies. I’m so excited to be starting this new journey along side with your kiddos!
Karli Douthett (Teacher)
Hello! I’m Kristen Pellonari. I’m a mom of three daughters (16, 13, and 9). I am originally from Las Vegas, NV, but have lived all across the country. In August 2023, we moved to Petaluma to be closer to family after my husband, Zach, retired from the Air Force.
I have a Bachelors in Sociology from SDSU and am an Air Force veteran myself. I was a stay at home mom for over 10 years. When I re-entered the work force I started working at my daughter’s preschool in Louisiana. Since day one, I have absolutely loved being a preschool teacher.
I am so grateful I found the Petaluma Village Preschool East family. I am excited to meet you and your little one!
Kristen Pellonari (Teacher)
Kassandra Parada (Teacher)
Hi everyone! My name is Kassandra Parada and I was born and raised in Marin County, however my family is from El Salvador. I have known my entire life that I wanted to work with children! I have done a little bit of everything from babysitting, nannying, camp counselor, camp unit head, and now preschool teacher! I am excited to start this new journey along side your kiddos. I am looking forward to teaching them, but also learning from them as well. I have genuinely had the best time getting to know your little ones and look forward to continuing to grow those relationships.
In my free time I enjoy spending time with my loved ones, watching basketball or baseball, and cuddling my dog, Maya! I am so happy to be here and look forward to getting to know all of you!
Parent Advisory Council
The Parent Advisory Council is comprised of a dedicated and talented group of core parents who meet to collaborate on a variety of issues and projects, such as fundraising, volunteer efforts, field trips, and curriculum. All parents are welcome. We are deeply grateful for their ongoing contribution to the school and recognize it as critical to our success.
Parent Volunteers
The school maintains a three hour minimum parent contribution each month. We strongly believe that parent involvement is a critical component of the Reggio Emilia approach.
Our parents are a vital part of successful school operations. Parents volunteer in a variety of capacities from gardening, assisting in the classroom, maintenance projects, project preparation, and much more. We are very fortunate to have such a vibrant and involved parent community. We also are blessed to have a number of educators in our parent community that actively contribute to the program.