Our Incredible Staff

Meet the Team

Gramma Freda – Founder She was mother of 5 wonderful children, 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. (the family is ever growing) In 1980 she opened our first Childcare Center. She immediately joined the Professional Association of Childhood Educators (P.A.C.E.) It is a statewide association. She served as area Chairperson, Vice President for 4 years and then President for four years. She became a member of the national Child Care Association (N.C.C.A.) and served as secretary for 4 years. She also has lobbied for quality daycare and testified in Sacramento over many different children’s issues. She served on the Board of Directors for the Community Child Care Council (4C’s) of Santa Clara County for twenty years taking the budget from $125,000 to $28 million. She owned and operated a total of 3 Preschools. She is the reason our preschool has been hugging, loving and educating children since 1980.

Ms. Lee – Senior Director / Owner – I have been working with children since 1972. I have B.S.  Degree in Early Child Development. I have had a strong passion for children from a young age. I am the second oldest in a family of 5 children. I have four boys of my own and 4 grandchildren. I opened Kinderwood in 1980 with my mother. We wanted to give children a safe and loving environment that will promote positive self-esteem and encourage their imagination to grow and learn. Pre-school is a major stepping stone to building a good foundation for their future. Every day we make their early years the best and most rewarding that they can be.

Ms. Cheyenne – Office – Program Director- I started working at Kinderwood in August 2016. I started as a floater and eventually became a Toddler teacher, then 3 year old teacher and now Assistant Director. I am a DeAnza College student studying early childhood education. I have a son of my own that attended Kinderwood, he is now in Elementary school! I started in the childcare field when I was 15 years old at my auntie’s daycare, I also volunteered my summers in another preschool. I became a nanny to triplets after graduating from Cupertino High School.  I worked at multiple child development centers in Santa Clara County. After gaining my experience I became a Montessori teacher aid. I am well rounded and worked with children from different learning environments. Educating children and being a great mother is my passion. I take great pride in everything I do at Kinderwood and with your children.

Ms. Lexi – Office assistant and cook – Hello, my name is Alexis but everyone calls me Lexi. I’ve been working with children for around 2 years now. I’m currently a student at Evergreen community college. I’m a dog mom to a super cute miniature dachshund named Baby that I love very much. I like to draw and craft. I also love traveling the world, so far my favorite place is Tokyo, Japan. I’m super excited to be part of the Kinderwood family and be able to care for the children and future children in room 2!

Ms. Shahira – Rm 1- Infants – I am married, and I have two sons. Waise who is grown and is no longer living at home and my youngest Soleyman is a Senior in high school. I can speak two languages, English and Farsi. I have 12 ECE units and I am First aid and CPR trained. Infants are my favorite age group. I love all of the one on one attention and affection that infants need because they give it right back to me. I have been a part of the Kinderwood family since 2002.

Ms. Rocio – Rm 1- Infants – Hi my name is Ms. Rocio. I’ve been working with preschool since I was in high school. I took some Early Childhood classes in high school and I loved it. I was very fortunate that they loved me at the preschool program that they had in my high school and hired me right away. After that, I continued to work and go to school. I love what I do and feel so wonderful working with children. Makes me feel so happy and loved. I really enjoy working with children since I only have one daughter and she’s now 17 years old. I see all the children as they were my own and work hard to make each one feel special.

Ms. Julia-Rm 1- Infants – I have been part of the Kinderwood family for many years. I have been working with children since the early 90’s. Currently I work in the infant class, however, I have worked in all of the classes; I love working with children of all ages. I find it rewarding when I form strong relationships with my students and their families. I completed my early childhood education at West Valley College. I have an adult son and daughter. I also have two crazy Chihuahuas who think they run my home! In my free time, I love to cook, read, and stay healthy by walking. I enjoy watching cooking shows and reading cooking magazines and experimenting with new recipes!

Ms. Swati- Room 2- 1 year old- I’m have been teaching since 2008. I love being around children of all ages. I love all the children as if  they were my own. I have done my Masters in fine art. For 8 years I was teaching art in elementary and middle school. For the past 3 years I have been enjoying teaching the young child. I am mother of two kids, my son was born in 2005 and my daughter was born in 2010. On my free time I like to watch movies, painting and to be with my Kids. I am very excited to be part of the Kinderwood family.

Ms. Elizabeth

My name is Elizabeth but I go by Liz. I come from a military family and have recently settled here in California. I moved to Japan in 8th grade and spent 4 and a half years in Okinawa. I graduated high school at 17 years old and decided to leave my family behind and come to the U.S. to go to college. I graduated from San José State University with a bachelor’s in Child and Adolescent Development and a minor in Special Education. I have been working with children for over 8 years now. When my little sister was born, I realized I wanted to work with kids. As much as my sister never wanted anything to do with me, I still loved to take care of her and teach her everything she needed to know. I started out by taking the American Red Cross babysitting course and CPR classes in Japan. This gave me the opportunity to babysit for a few families and gain more experience with children. While attending college, I ran a nursery at a local church in San José, and soon after I started working at a child development center on the Air Force base. I then became a nanny in my last 2 years of college because I needed a more flexible schedule to continue working and going to school. After I graduated college, I started working for Kindercare as a toddler teacher and later transferred to San Fransisco to be an infant teacher at Kids by the Bay. I needed to find a center closer to home and have decided to join Kinderwood Children’s Center. I look forward to working with the families and staff here at this center. One thing I truly enjoy about teaching is having the opportunity to teach younger children the skills they will need and use throughout their life. We are these children’s first role models and I am lucky to have the opportunity to shape and help these children to continue to grow and learn every day. My goal is to prepare these children to be successful in all areas of development during their time here at Kinderwood Children’s Center. I am excited about this new journey and I cannot wait to meet all the children and their families.

Ms. Valerie – Rm 4- 3-year old’s –  I am the teacher for the 3-year old’s. They are my favorite age. This is when they are the most inquisitive and eager to learn and experience new things. I have been working with children since forever! I have been working at Kinderwood since April 2003. I have 16 ECE units and I am first aid and C.P.R. Trained. I can speak two languages, English and Portuguese. Working with children has been my most rewarding profession.

Ms. Michelle – Rm 4 – 3 Year olds– I joined the Kinderwood Family in 2018. I have an Early Childhood Development Associate Teacher Certificate that I received from Las Posits College in Livermore in 2007. In 2014, I graduated from San Jose State University in studio photography. When I meet children I tend to bond to them quickly. I certainly feel like the kids here have become family to me. I cannot wait to see these kids grow into their own unique personalities. Thank you for already making me feel like a part of the Kinderwood family. I’m so excited to be here!

Ms. Diana – Rm 5 – 4-year old’s – Hola! Mi Nombre es Diana. Hello! My name is Diana. I speak, read and write in English and Spanish. I am currently working in room 5 with the 4-year old’s. I started working with children in 2013. I started with Kinderwood in 2015. Working with 4-year old has been my favorite age to work with. Their brains are still developing and growing, I love being part of that process. It brings joy to my life. I have 5 sisters, a niece and a mother that I love very much! I love to travel, take road trips and cook for large groups. I am a student at Mission College obtaining my AS in Early Childhood Education with a CHAD Major. As a child care provider, I practice respect, honesty, values and treat each child as a worthy person. I believe it is important to learn each child’s unique way of learning. My favorite quote is “A teacher adapts to the child not the child to the teacher.”

Ms. Nicole-Rm 5 – Hello, my name is Nicole and I’m excited to be a new teacher at Kinderwood! I started off babysitting at 16 and really took a liking to working with kids and watching them develop and grow. I decided to further my interest and took courses at San Jose City College in Early Childhood Education. From there, I decided to work in a preschool and have been doing that for the past 3 years. I am excited to be joining the Kinderwood family and I look forward to working with all your kids!

Ms. Carrie – School Opener and Floater  – I attended West-Med College in San Jose California where I attained my 12 ECE Units. I’ve been working with children of all ages since 2000. The things I enjoy the most about working with children is watching them grow and mature. It really makes me happy to be a part of their lives. I have three sisters and one brother. I’m the youngest in my family. I enjoy spending time with my fiancé, relaxing on the beach, reading a good book and going to family functions. I’m happy and excited to be a part of Kinderwood.