Tiffany Zeng
Hi, I'm Tiffany, a bilingual Cantonese and Mandarin Early Interventionist at the Modern PlaySpace. With a background in Art Education and additional coursework in Early Childhood and Special Education, I have also obtained relevant employment certificates. Over the past 14 years, I've gained extensive experience working with children from newborns to middle school age, enriching my understanding of their educational needs across various developmental stages.
I am committed to delivering high-quality services to children in schools, families, and on-site environments, focusing on social skills, behavioral growth, communication abilities, and physical development. I incorporate art and music into the curriculum to help ease children into the learning process. My primary goal is to foster early childhood development and learning through play, particularly in the San Francisco area.
Karen Sibrian
Hi, I'm Karen Sibrian, a bilingual Spanish early interventionist and lead teacher at the Modern PlaySpace, where I find immense joy and fulfillment in working with children. My passion for early childhood development drives me to continuously enhance my knowledge and skills in this field through further education. I have the privilege of working with children as young as 6 months old, and nothing compares to the joy I experience at the Modern PlaySpace.
Watching these young minds grow and develop under my guidance is both rewarding and inspiring. Being a teacher to these wonderful children not only brings me happiness but also motivates me to contribute positively to their early learning experiences. I am committed to creating a nurturing and stimulating environment where each child can thrive and reach their full potential.
Hello, my name is Azul! I was born in Vallejo, CA, and I currently reside in Marin County. I graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in Exercise Physiology (pre-Physical Therapy) and enjoyed living in Florida for five years. I am now on track to complete my Doctorate in Physical Therapy with a specialization in Pediatrics. I absolutely adore kids!
My favorite hobbies include cooking and baking, reading fiction and fantasy novels, strength training, and going on adventures with my toddler. My friends and family would describe me as passionate, spunky, creative, and witty.
I am excited to work as a bilingual, Spanish-speaking Early Intervention Specialist and feel grateful to be part of enriching children’s development. Helping kids learn and thrive is incredibly rewarding, and I look forward to contributing to the wonderful work taking place at the Modern PlaySpace and being part of such an amazing team.
Hazel Chan
Hi, my name is Hazel Chan, and I am currently serving as a bilingual Cantonese and Mandarin early interventionist at the Modern PlaySpace. My educational journey led me to graduate from a university in Hong Kong, where I earned a degree in Early Childhood and Special Education. My professional experience encompasses working with a wide age range of children, from infants to school-aged. I specialize in supporting children with language delays and those who require assistance in their overall development.
I am a staunch advocate for early intervention and hold a firm belief that children learn best through play and exploration. The joy and fulfillment I derive from working with children, observing their growth, and being an integral part of their developmental journey is immeasurable. Engaging with children through play not only aids in their growth but also allows me the privilege to witness and contribute to their developmental milestones, which is both rewarding and deeply gratifying.
Jahdeia Richardson
Hi! My name is Jahdeia Richardson. I am from the San Francisco Bay Area. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and am a certified substitute teacher with over 10 years of experience working with children from infancy to age 12, as well as over a year of focused classroom management experience. Previous, I worked full-time as a paraprofessional and part-time as a teacher at the Modern PlaySpace (MPS), specializing in early intervention, but I now am so proud to be working full-time at MPS.
In my early intervention role, I provide targeted support to help children achieve developmental milestones in speech, fine-motor and gross-motor skills, social-emotional growth, and early literacy and numeracy. I work closely with children who have developmental delays or behavioral challenges, using individualized strategies and structured play to encourage progress and confidence. I also create engaging lesson plans, facilitate interactive activities, and maintain regular communication with parents about each child’s growth and development.
Desiree Ong
Hi! My name is Desiree Ong. I am a compassionate and intentional educator specializing in early childhood instruction, relationship building, and implementing creative learning experiences. I have four years of ongoing experience working with children ages 0–12 with varying developmental needs. I am dedicated to cultivating a playful, engaging, and nurturing environment where children can learn at their own pace. I strive to celebrate positive, autonomous behavior while promoting inclusive and diverse spaces.
I graduated from San Diego State University with a BA with an emphasis in Child & Family Development, Psychology, and Sociology. I am currently the Lead Educator at the Modern PlaySpace and the Lead Enrichment Teacher at 2nd Generation Bright Horizons. I have a deep passion for being part of a collaborative team that values healthy communication, empathy, and a genuine love for children from all walks of life.
Liana Montecino
My name is Liana, and I am a part of this incredible early intervention community here at the Modern PlaySpace in San Francisco.
I am very passionate about teaching children, and for over ten years, I have had the pleasure of supporting young learners in a variety of roles, from classroom teaching to one-on-one support in special education.
I earned my undergraduate degree from the University of San Francisco and plan to continue my education there, pursuing a master’s degree to further my knowledge and better support the children and families I work with.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with many wonderful families, each one teaching me something new and enriching my practice in unique ways. I’m grateful to apply what I’ve learned in my studies to every session and am always striving to make learning meaningful, fun, and supportive.
As a lifelong learner, my goal is to continue growing as a compassionate and effective early childhood professional—someone who helps children and families thrive during these foundational years.
Cassandra Guadalupe Mendez
Hi! My name is Cassandra, and I am a billingual Spanish interventionist therapist for the Modern PlaySpace. I have over a year and a half of experience working with toddlers and have been working with youth overall for four years.
I am a Sac State graduate with a degree in Social Work. I plan on continuing my education and earning my master’s degree in the upcoming year to further my knowledge in this field.
I am very excited to start this new chapter working with toddlers. In the past, I have worked with youth in after-school programs, provided one-on-one support to children and toddlers on the autism spectrum in both home and clinical settings, and worked at a residential home for teenagers struggling with mental health challenges.
It has always been a passion of mine to work with youth and support their development. I am a compassionate and caring person, and I believe being a great listener is essential when working with youth and their families.
Katherine Wilkins
Katherine Wilkins is a family-centered practitioner specializing in supporting infants, toddlers, and their caregivers through the critical early years of development. With a background in child development and a master’s in social work, she brings expertise in developmental milestones, parent coaching, and trauma-informed practice. Katherine has provided one-on-one and group support for families navigating challenges such as postpartum transitions, behavioral concerns, developmental delays, and social-emotional stressors.
She has spent several years working in social work with families in Southeast Asia, an experience that strengthened her focus on cultural competency and responsive care. Newly based in the Bay Area, Katherine believes in empowering caregivers as a child’s first and most important teachers, using a collaborative, strengths-based approach that builds confidence and fosters resilience.
Outside of work, she enjoys being on or near the ocean, trying unique foods, and finding new adventures.
Joly Guan
我是 Joly Guan，一名热爱儿童教育的幼儿教师，拥有九年丰富的幼教经验，并持有加州认可的幼教师资格证。主要语言：普通话和粤语。很高兴能成为 the Modern Playspace 团队的成员。在教学中，我关注每个孩子的个性与情感发展，擅长用游戏、绘画、艺术制作、音乐等多种方式激发孩子们的好奇心与学习动力。我相信，爱与耐心是教育最好的起点。我致力于为孩子们营造一个温馨、安全、富有探索精神的成长环境，成为他们信赖的引导者，也成为家长放心的合作伙伴。期待在每一个充满童真的日子里，与孩子们共同成长。
My name is Joly Guan, and I am a passionate early childhood educator with nine years of experience in the field. I am fluent in both Mandarin and Cantonese. I’m excited to be part of the Modern Playspace team. In my teaching, I focus on supporting each child’s individual personality and emotional development. I enjoy using a variety of creative approaches, such as games, painting, arts and crafts, and music, to spark children’s curiosity and love for learning.
I truly believe that love and patience are the best starting points for education. My goal is to create a warm, safe, and inspiring environment where children can build confidence, explore freely, and grow joyfully. I strive to be a trusted guide for children and a reliable partner for parents. I look forward to growing alongside the children every day, surrounded by the wonder of childhood.
Stephanie Vasquez
My name is Stephanie Vasquez, and I was born and raised in the Bay Area. I am a bilingual Spanish Early Interventionist for Marin County. I graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor's in Psychology. I have a deep passion for working with children and helping them grow. My dream is to one day open my own practice as a child psychologist. For the past few years, I have been working as an early interventionist with children ages 0-7. In this role, I review children's reports to determine the goals we need to achieve together and enjoy teaching age-appropriate activities that are both educational and fun.
My experience as an early interventionist has been incredibly rewarding. I have had the privilege of working closely with families and other professionals to create individualized plans that address each child's unique needs. This collaboration has helped me develop a holistic approach to child development, ensuring that I can provide the best support possible.
I believe in the power of play and positive reinforcement, and I strive to create an environment where children feel safe, loved, and motivated to learn. Watching them reach their milestones and knowing that I have played a part in their growth is truly fulfilling. I am dedicated to continuing my education and expanding my skills so that I can make an even greater impact in the future.
Sophia Soria
Hi, my name is Sophia Soria, and I am proud to have been an Early Childhood Educator for over 10 years. I have had the privilege of working with children from infancy through 12 years old, guiding them through some of the most important developmental stages of their lives.
Throughout my career, I have collaborated closely with Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Early Interventionists to create positive and inclusive learning environments that support each child’s unique needs. I’ve worked in a variety of preschool settings in Marin County, each with its own educational philosophy, including Reggio Emilia, Academic Play-Based, Montessori, and a Special Education therapy school. This diverse experience has given me a rich toolbox of strategies and ideas that I blend into my own teaching style, ensuring every child feels supported, engaged, and valued.
I love working with children because it is an incredibly rewarding profession. Seeing their growth, confidence, and curiosity develop brings me immense joy and purpose. I still remember one of my college professors saying, “The first three years are the most important in a child’s development.” That statement has stayed with me and fuels my dedication to nurturing children during these formative years.
In the classroom, I believe in balancing structure with creativity, always incorporating laughter, smiles, and a sense of play into our learning. I am passionate about helping each child succeed — not just academically, but socially and emotionally — so they can feel confident and excited about learning. My goal is to create a safe, warm, and inspiring space where every child can thrive and reach their fullest potential.
Jessica Boehme-Flores
Hello! My name is Jessica Boehme-Flores, and I am a dedicated Early Interventionist at the Modern PlaySpace. I am a childhood education leader, play therapist, and advocate with over 25 years of experience supporting children, families, and educators across the Bay Area. With a Master’s in Social Clinical Psychology and a deep foundation in developmental competencies, I bring a trauma-informed, equity-centered approach to my work.
My career spans roles in therapeutic preschool settings and Resource & Referral services, and I have designed and implemented programs that foster resilience, inclusion, and lifelong learning. I am committed to providing wraparound services—including coaching, playgroups, assessments, and professional development—to support families and strengthen the Early Childhood Education (ECE) community.
My work is rooted in building strong foundations for young children through play-based learning, family support, and culturally responsive practices. As a passionate community builder, I have presented at national conferences, led advocacy efforts, and remain dedicated to creating inclusive environments where all children and families can thrive.
Outside of my professional life, I enjoy painting, swimming, yoga, traveling, learning Spanish, and spending time with my family.
Meena Kim
Hi, my name is Meena Kim, and I am an Early Interventionist for the Modern PlaySpace. I have over 20 years of specialized professional experience working with children and families in the Bay Area.
Originally from Southern California, I moved to Berkeley after high school to attend college. After receiving my B.A. in Psychology from UC Berkeley, I pursued an M.A. and Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at Argosy University, focusing my practicums and pre-doctoral and post-doctoral hours on infant and early childhood mental health through the lens of attachment. Throughout graduate school, I also worked simultaneously with special needs and neurodivergent children in school, home, and community settings.
In the past 10 years, I have focused on working in preschools as a teacher, behavioral interventionist, socio-emotional specialist, and parent consultant. I have also obtained my Infant and Early Mental Health Consultation Certification from Georgetown University to further develop and expand my ability to support children effectively.
As both a professional and a parent, I love being able to combine and utilize my experiences and training to support children and families. I am passionate about early intervention and early education, and I find these early years to be the most fascinating and rewarding time to witness and support growth. I especially enjoy working with the 0–3 population, finding joy in seeing little ones develop, grow, learn, explore, and engage with the world around them. It is a time of tremendous growth and exciting milestones, and I feel truly blessed to support families and children in my role as an Early Interventionist.
Ms. Olin
大家好，我叫欧林老师！我是一名精通普通话和粤语的教学助理，拥有多年与6个月大的婴儿、幼儿及学前儿童一起工作的经验。我曾在日托中心和蒙特梭利学校工作，协助孩子们的日常作息，培养他们的独立能力，并细心照顾他们的需要，包括换尿布和日常清洁。在课堂上，我喜欢与孩子们一起参与适龄活动，激发他们的好奇心，促进社会情感发展，并支持早期学习。我与主班教师紧密合作，为孩子们营造一个安全、关怀且充满活力的学习环境，让他们在其中茁壮成长。与家长建立积极的沟通对我来说非常重要，我希望与他们携手，共同支持孩子的成长和发展。我很珍惜能够陪伴孩子们度过早期成长的机会，并期待继续帮助他们在探索、学习和成长的过程中获得快乐与成就。
Hi, my name is Ms. Olin! I am a bilingual Mandarin and Cantonese teacher assistant with years of experience working with infants as young as six months old, toddlers, and preschool children. I’ve had the privilege of supporting children in daycare and Montessori settings, where I help guide daily routines, encourage independence through self-help skills, and provide attentive care, including diapering and hygiene. In the classroom, I enjoy engaging children in age-appropriate activities that foster curiosity, social-emotional growth, and early learning.
I work closely with lead teachers to create a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where every child can thrive. Building strong, positive relationships with families is also very important to me, and I value open communication to support each child’s growth and development. I feel grateful to be part of these early years and look forward to continuing to support children as they explore, learn, and grow.
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