Meet the San Ramon Staff
Ms. Kayla, Director of Preschools
I am happy to serve you as YLA's Director. Owning and operating YLA is a dream come true. I knew that I had found my purpose when I studied Early Childhood Education in college and to this day it continues to be my greatest passion to serve the children of YLA and their families. I love to interact and connect with each and every child and family member who comes to our school and to ensure that we give the children the best possible start to their education.
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Ms. Stephanie, Administrative Assistant
I am so happy to be a part of the amazing YLA team! I support the leadership, teachers, and teacher assistants on a daily basis through a variety of tasks. It brings me joy to see the passion of everyone at YLA and the positive impact they are having on shaping the lives of so many children! In my free time, I enjoy hiking, reading, listening to music, and travelling. :)
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Mr. Joey, Site Supervisor / Pre-K Prep Teacher
I have been in the education field my entire life. Both of my parents—and even some of my grandparents—are educators, so a love for teaching and learning was instilled in me from an early age. My journey began in high school when I worked in the after-school program at my former elementary school, where I first developed a strong interest in education. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from CSU East Bay, where I also completed coursework in early childhood education, child development, and early childhood administration. Before joining YLA, I spent seven years teaching middle school history and supervising the after-school program at a private school where my parents also work in Concord. Throughout every role, my passion has remained rooted in early education and supporting the whole child. My favorite part of working in education is seeing the joy and excitement in a child’s eyes when they learn something new. I love being part of YLA!
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Ms. Emily, Preschool Teacher
I am so excited to be joining the YLA community! I have always loved being around children and enjoy watching them grow into themselves as they discover who they want to be. I have studied Early Childhood Education and am currently enrolled in college, where I am continuing to pursue my degree and plan to earn my AA in Early Childhood Education. When I’m not working, I enjoy reading, traveling, crafting, and spending time with my dog, Archie.
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Ms. Hailey, Preschool Teacher
I’m excited to be part of the YLA community and look forward to supporting and serving the children and families here. My passion for working with children has grown through my experience teaching in a variety of educational settings, including preschools and academic enrichment programs. I have studied Early Childhood Education and continue to grow my knowledge and skills as an educator. I truly love early childhood education because of the incredible growth that happens during the preschool years. Watching children gain confidence, learn new skills, and develop a love for learning is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.
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Ms. Meekie, Preschool Teacher
I have always been passionate about working with children and helping them learn and grow. I began my journey working with students as a robotics instructor, where I taught children how to build and program robots while encouraging creativity and problem-solving skills.
That experience helped me realize how much I enjoy supporting students and inspired me to become a paraprofessional. As a paraprofessional, I gained valuable experience working closely with teachers and helping students succeed in the classroom, which further strengthened my passion for becoming a teacher.
I have also studied Early Childhood Education and truly love this field. I am passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences and supporting children during these important early years of growth and development.
Outside of work, I enjoy reading, hiking, and visiting plant nurseries. I am excited to be part of the YLA team and look forward to getting to know all of the children and families!
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Ms. Sofia, Preschool Teacher
Hi! I'm so happy to be part of the YLA team and to apply what I have learned so far while majoring in Early Childhood Education at CSU East Bay. I have prior experience working with young children, mainly through babysitting as well as volunteering in an elementary school. I plan to further my education over the next few years by earning my teaching credential and continuing to learn from both students and my peers! I love working with kids and seeing how their minds and strengths grow over time - it's an extremely rewarding job that brings me so much fulfillment. When I'm not helping around at YLA, I love a good iced matcha latte, going on hikes and runs, and trying new foods.
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Mr. Zack, Director of Business Operations
Kayla and I have always had huge hearts for children. On my end, I have worked with kids for years in a variety of capacities including coaching youth sports, teaching Sunday School, tutoring, and volunteering with underprivileged children in the foster care system. It has been an absolute joy walking alongside Kayla to help create Young Learners Academy. My role primarily focuses on overseeing the back-end operations of Young Learners Academy, but you'll also see me volunteering from time to time with special events. Outside of Young Learners Academy, my "day job" is working as a local real estate and business litigation attorney.
