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 / Teacher)
Greetings! My name is Amanda Byers. I am a Sonoma County native with a great appreciation for this beautiful and supportive community. In May of 2020, I graduated from Sonoma State with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Studies: Education. My passion for working with children started nearly 10 years ago when I began babysitting for family friends. Since then, I have gained experience in different early childhood roles such as nannying, tutoring, and most recently spent the last 4 years working as a Behavioral Interventionist with children on the autism spectrum.
My favorite part of working with children is learning from them and getting a glimpse of the world through their eyes- priceless! During my free time, I love to spend time with my pup, Oliver, work on jigsaw puzzles and try new recipes in my air fryer. This upcoming fall, I plan to pursue a Master’s in Counseling to eventually become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and continue working closely with children and families!
Amanda Byers (Director / Teacher)
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)
Hello my name is Stephane Morales. I was born and raised in California and absolutely love it. I graduated from Valley Oaks High School and am currently attending Santa Rosa Jr College. Ever since I was a little girl I knew I wanted to be a teacher and make a difference in a child’s life. I love spending time with them and getting to know their unique personalities. As a preschool teacher I learned that it takes a village to raise a child and I hope to contribute to their learning.In my spare time I like to travel and go outdoors with my dog Daisy and meet people from different walks of life.
Stephane Morales (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)
Hello, my name is Gracen Arntz! I was born and raised in beautiful Petaluma. I attended Petaluma High School and left my junior year to graduate early by continuing independent study! I graduated in March 2018, thanks to the amazing support of my family. Ever since I was little I have always loved children. I began babysitting the moment my little sister was born. Since then I have babysat every chance I had. I have been involved helping out and volunteering at Petaluma Village Preschool since I was 13 years old. Casey is my aunt and has always seen the joy I have when working with children. I am currently enrolled in child development courses, along with Santa Rosa Junior College courses for my Associates Degree. I am extremely excited to finally be a permanent team member of Petaluma Preschool and ready to help the children learn, have fun, and make memories!
Gracen Arntz (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)
My name is Paige, I’ve been working with preschool for 11 years. I’m a Petaluma native and love working with families in the area. I love singing songs and doing arts and crafts with the kids. I enjoy watching and helping kids learn and explore.
Paige Schlager (Teacher)
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)
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 / Director)
Hello Families! My name is Lizet and I am happy to be a part of Petaluma Village Preschool! I began working as a Teacher Aide at a behavioral school for a few years, supporting children on the spectrum. Later I became a Teachers Assistant and lastly a Registered Behavioral Technician before finding my calling as a Preschool Teacher.
I truly enjoy watching our students grow and I am very honored to help our preschoolers become the best versions of themselves. In my free time I enjoy watching the newest films with my brother and spending time with my loved ones. I am very excited to be here and can’t wait to get to know all my students!
Lizet Carreno (Teacher)
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 (Teacher)
Hi I’m Victoria Krone! I’m was born and raised In California! I’m originally from the east bay but I moved to Sonoma county in 2019 when I met my husband who lived up here! We started our adorable little family and had our beautiful boy, Jackson in 2021! Sonoma county is home to me now!
I studied at Diablo valley college get all of my education in early childhood there! I fell in love with teaching after taking my first child psychology class and decided teaching was my dream! From there I was learning all different ways of teaching techniques and the Reggio technique became my favorite! I am so happy to be at a school that has my favorite teaching style! Before I was a nanny while I went to school and then once I finished schooling, I started my teaching career. I also took off time to be a stay at home mom to my son for 2 years. I am very happy to be back at teaching!
Victoria Krone (Teacher)
My name is Anja Hultquist, I’ve lived and attended school in Petaluma since I can remember. I lived with my Mom, Dad and older brother in Central Petaluma so we were close to a whole lot. Growing up I swore I’d never grow up to be a teacher like my mom and her mom too. I attended Carpe Diem High School while working at Fourth and Sea Fish N Chips. Soon after graduating I was offered a position at Gan Israel Preschool. I knew my love for children was undeniable and accepted the position. Unfortunately in March of 2020 lots of things changed for a lot of people and Gan Israel closed their door and I was without a job. A few months later Casey ask me if I’d like to come work for PVP and I was ecstatic. I will continue to take courses through SRJC to one day own and run my own preschool. When I’m not in the classroom you can find me doing all kind of art, from water colors to tie dye to making earrings. I also love exploring local parks and good ole San Francisco. Your kiddos bring me so much joy and I will forever be thankful to learn along side them.
Anja Hulquist (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 monthly 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.