San Mateo Downtown

Ms. Avinna brings both heart and experience to her role as School Director at Kids Konnect – Downtown San Mateo. She holds a B.A. in Family & Consumer Sciences from San Francisco State University and began her journey with Kids Konnect in 2017 as a volunteer. Over the years, her passion and leadership naturally led her to a director role, where she now guides the team with empathy, consistency, and a child-centered approach.

Avinna is deeply committed to building a warm, inclusive environment where children, families, and staff feel supported and valued. She believes in cultivating enriching early learning experiences that help children become confident, curious, and independent learners. Her leadership style is collaborative and nurturing, and she is always seeking ways to strengthen the connection between school and home.

Outside the preschool, Avinna enjoys cooking and baking, discovering new restaurants, and making joyful memories with her husband and young son.

Ms. Leigh is a creative, nurturing educator with a natural ability to connect with infants and toddlers. Her classroom is a welcoming space where young children feel secure, seen, and encouraged to explore at their own pace. With a special passion for creative expression, Leigh often weaves art into her teaching—whether it’s through sensory exploration or imaginative crafts.

Her favorite part of teaching is watching young children hit developmental milestones and grow in confidence day by day. Leigh values strong communication with families and believes that building a supportive relationship with parents and caregivers is key to helping every child thrive.

When she’s not in the classroom, Leigh enjoys cooking with her husband, designing custom tumblers, and experimenting with new artistic projects.

Ms. Angela brings over five years of experience in early childhood education and a strong academic foundation, holding a B.A. in Child Development from San Francisco State University. Originally from Burma, Angela brings a rich cultural perspective to her work and is passionate about supporting each child’s unique learning journey.

Angela believes in meeting infants and toddlers exactly where they are developmentally and creating a calm, loving environment that allows them to grow at their own pace. She’s especially skilled at recognizing and nurturing the individual personalities of the children in her care, helping them feel both safe and capable.

Outside of school, Angela enjoys cooking with friends and exploring international films and music, always finding inspiration in new cultures and experiences.

Ms. McKayla brings calm, structure, and warmth to the toddler classroom at Kids Konnect. She holds a degree in Communication Studies from San Francisco State University and has spent the past two years specializing in toddler care and early learning. Her communication background enhances her ability to foster strong bonds with both children and parents, creating a classroom where everyone feels heard and respected.

McKayla believes in balancing structured routines with hands-on exploration. She designs engaging activities that encourage toddlers to build confidence, express themselves, and explore the world around them. Her approach emphasizes emotional security, language development, and social connection—three pillars of early childhood development.

Outside of the classroom, McKayla enjoys soaking in the culture of San Francisco, spending time at the beach, visiting local coffee shops, and discovering new spots to relax and recharge.

With six years of experience in early childhood education, Ms. Gisel brings a thoughtful and steady presence to the classroom. She is passionate about creating learning environments that invite exploration and support development across all domains—cognitive, social-emotional, and physical.

Gisel believes that children learn best through play, and she is always thinking of new ways to introduce materials that spark curiosity and build independence. She also values strong communication with families and sees parents as active partners in the learning journey.

When she’s not teaching, Gisel enjoys exploring the Bay Area’s parks, beaches, libraries, and museums. Her love of local adventures often inspires classroom activities and helps her bring the outside world into the learning environment.

Originally from Nicaragua, Ms. Stefany brings energy, creativity, and cultural richness to her classroom. With a background in early childhood education and six years of teaching experience, Stefany is deeply committed to helping each child reach their full potential through meaningful, joyful learning.

She delights in observing the personalities of infants and toddlers emerge and is always looking for ways to tailor her teaching to meet each child’s needs. Her classroom often includes music, movement, and Spanish language play—tools she uses to promote both cultural awareness and developmental growth.

Stefany believes that early education should be filled with laughter, encouragement, and care. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, connecting with her culture, and celebrating the milestones of the children she works with.

Ms. Rebeca brings warmth, patience, and a lifelong love for early childhood education to the preschool classroom. Inspired by her mother’s work as a nanny, Rebeca began caring for children at age 18 and quickly realized her passion for supporting young learners. She is currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education, further deepening her knowledge and commitment to the field.

In addition to her classroom experience, Rebeca has worked as a student coordinator at a music school and provided in-home care as a nanny for several families. These diverse roles have helped her develop strong communication skills, a calm and grounded presence, and a deep appreciation for the individuality of every child.

Rebeca values relationship-building as the foundation for learning. She takes the time to get to know each child and family, creating a sense of connection and community in her classroom. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in nature, exploring new places, and skiing in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Mr. Xander is an enthusiastic and compassionate educator at the start of his journey in early childhood education. Currently working toward his Bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Xander is eager to grow alongside the children in his care and bring fresh energy and creativity to the classroom.

He believes in creating a safe and supportive environment where children feel free to express themselves, take risks, and explore their interests. Xander is especially interested in social-emotional development and helping preschoolers navigate friendships, emotions, and self-regulation through gentle guidance and play-based learning.

Being part of a child’s foundational learning years brings Xander a deep sense of purpose. He’s excited to continue developing his skills and building meaningful relationships with families at Kids Konnect.

Ms. Grace is a thoughtful and dedicated educator who brings both academic focus and emotional warmth to her classroom. She holds an Associate Degree in Social and Behavioral Science and is currently completing her Bachelor’s degree in Child Development at San Francisco State University.

Grace is passionate about honoring the unique journey of each child, creating an inclusive environment where every learner feels supported and valued. She is especially skilled at balancing structure with flexibility—providing routines that give children security while encouraging creativity and independence.

In her spare time, Grace enjoys spending quality time with her family, including her two cats, Kira and Mami. She also loves shopping, discovering new hobbies, and bringing her joyful, curious spirit into everything she does.