
Leadership

Becky Paasche
Director
Becky has over 20 years of experience of in education, including teaching, administration, staff development, curriculum development for preschool and young children. She joined the Woodroe Woods staff in 2009 after running her own preschool for four years and became the Director in 2016.
Becky attended Merritt College’s early childhood education program for two years and continues her education through conferences, workshops and online classes. Becky lives in Castro Valley, has been married for over fifteen years and has two sons. She loves working with children and families and is very proud of Woodroe Woods!

Maria Miranda Gresham
Co-Director
Maria’s two sons began attending Woodroe Woods in 1994 and she was recruited a few years later to join the staff. Since then, she was promoted from Administration to Co-Director. Prior to her tenure at Woodroe Woods, Maria worked as Business Manager for an architectural photography firm and a learning resources company.
At Woodroe Woods, you’ll often see her showing prospective parents around the grounds. She is the welcoming face in the office. Maria lives in Castro Valley with her husband, Walt and her dog, Wednesday.

Vanessa Lee Kaitz
Head of Elementary Program
Vanessa serves as the Head of the Elementary Program at Woodroe Woods and is one of the second grade teachers. She has helped create many programs at Woodroe woods such as performing arts, MAD scientist and the extension of the program to include fifth grade. Vanessa began at Woodroe Woods as a camp counselor and afternoon school teacher. She received her BS in Human Development at UC Davis then her teaching credential at CSU Fresno. Proudly, she is part of the Woodroe Woods legacy as her mother, Edie Lee, retired after 24 years as Woodroe Woods co-director. Vanessa is married and has two children.
Early Education

Diane Rempel
Preschool- Zebra Class
Diane had her own family childcare organization in Castro Valley for nineteen years before coming to work at Woodroe Woods in 2016.
She holds an Associate Teaching Certification in Early Childhood Education and is the proud mother of three sons.

Masami Kandeh
Preschool- Zebra Class
Masami started working at Woodroe Woods in 2022. Prior to working at Woodroe, Masami worked with pre-k, preschool, and toddler aged children. She earned her BA in Psychology at Hiroshima International University in Japan. Masami was born and raised in Japan. Masami decided to study early childhood education and work with children when she moved to the US in 2014.
She has identical twin daughters and likes organizing, eating, and crafting.

Katrena Shephard
Preschool- Zebra Class
Katrena has worked at Woodroe Woods since 1988. As a high schooler, Katrena worked as a babysitter and earned a certificate in in the Fields of Career with Children from the Regional Occupational Program.
She went on to earn a certificate in Early Childhood Education from Chabot College. She is originally from Louisiana and enjoys her family, singing and dancing.

Joanne Niklewski
Preschool- Bear Class
Joanne began working at Woodroe Woods as a preschool teacher in 2002 after working at Southwest Airlines for five years. She holds an AA in computer graphics but returned to college for early childhood education. She was born in Poland came to the US when she was five years old. She enjoys cooking, crafting and traveling.

Kathy Schwartzle
Preschool- Bear Class
Biography coming soon…

Megan Justus
Preschool- Bear Class
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Megan brings her love of nature into the classroom. She pursued her education at UCB with a degree in Gender and Women’s Studies. She also holds an AA in Spanish from Chabot College and Early Childhood Teaching qualifications from Merritt College. Megan has worked at Woodroe Woods since 2019.

Julie Francisco
Pre-Kindergarten – Dino Class
Julie began teaching at Woodroe Woods in 2002 part time and became a full time preschool teacher soon after. Prior to working at Woodroe Woods, Julie had a career in the medical laboratory field. She was drawn to the pediatric field and volunteered at Children’s Hospital. After having children, she began working at Laurel Center, then transitioned to Woodroe Woods. She enjoys spending time at the ocean with her two daughters.

Tori Yanez
Pre-Kindergarten – Dino Class
Biography coming soon…

Valerie Suarez
Pre-Kindergarten – Dolphin Class
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Valerie earned her certificate in Early Childhood Education and began teaching at Woodroe Woods. Both of her children also attended the school.

Kristen Russo
Pre-Kindergarten – Dolphin Class
Biography coming soon…

Miriam Teran
Outdoor Preschool & Pre-K
Biography coming soon…

Laura Noriega
Afternoon Preschool & Pre-K
Since 2004, Laura has worked at Woodroe Woods as an afternoon preschool teacher. A grandmother whose grandchildren have also attended Woodroe Woods, Laura recognized her true calling to work with children. Laura is happy to be a part of the school’s community.

Rosy Morales
Snack Artist/Preparer
Biography coming soon…

Cecilia Kelley
Early Education Substitute
Biography coming soon…

Jessica Pacheco
Early Education Substitute
After obtaining a BA in Human Development with an emphasis in Child Development, Jessica began teaching at Woodroe Woods in 2003. She is married with three children all of whom have attended Woodroe Woods. Jessica is very proud to be a part of these teachers and considers her co-workers her second family.

Nicole Kelly
Early Education & Kindergarten Substitute
Nicole has been at Woodroe since her daughter began in the Bear class in 2014. Her son is now following in big sister’s footsteps and will be in kindergarten next year which leaves her wondering if she needs to keep having children to stay at Woodroe…
Nicole has her MA in Early Childhood Special Education from Mills College and previously worked for a local school district as a preschool special education teacher for 12 years. Now she owns a web development and virtual assistant agency while subbing for Woodroe as often as she can because she loves working with children and equally loves Woodroe Woods School!
Elementary

Kristie Leo
Kindergarten
Kristie has worked with children for over ten years. After graduating from SJSU with a degree in Child and Adolescent Development, Kristie worked at the SJSU preschool as well as a corporate based childcare center. Kristie then joined a nationwide nonprofit organization that specialized in providing quality care in communities. She then joined Woodroe Woods in 2018.

JonneeLee Rose Filson
Kindergarten/ Afterschool Care
Rose has been working with children and in education since 1999. She started off working for Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) for the Autism Resource Center(ARC), then opened up her own private large licensed daycare, followed by working for Castro Valley Unified,(CVUSD) which led her to Our Lady of Grace School,(OLG) and found her dream position in Kindergarten at Woodroe Woods. Her hobbies include spending time with her friends, family(married for 19 years have 2 daughters), rescue pets and cruising in her 1948 & 1952 Chevy cars.

Lea Felix
First
Biography coming soon…

Vanessa Lee Kaitz
Second
Vanessa serves as the Head of the Elementary Program at Woodroe Woods and is one of the second grade teachers. She has helped create many programs at Woodroe woods such as performing arts, MAD scientist and the extension of the program to include fifth grade. Vanessa began at Woodroe Woods as a camp counselor and afternoon school teacher. She received her BS in Human Development at UC Davis then her teaching credential at CSU Fresno. Proudly, she is part of the Woodroe Woods legacy as her mother, Edie Lee, retired after 24 years as Woodroe Woods co-director. Vanessa is married and has two children.

Carlene Metz
Third
Biography coming soon…

Tori Lewis
Fourth
Biography coming soon…

David Gresham
Fifth
Biography coming soon…

Davis Zamboanga
Music
Biography coming soon…

Donna Tenbrink
Afterschool Care, Gardener Extraordinaire
Beginning in 2004, Donna began working at Woodroe Woods in the after school program. She is a mom of four and grandmother too. Donna was active in her children’s school activities. She enjoys working with the gardens at Woodroe Woods as well as many after school projects.

Miriam Teran
Afterschool Care
Biography coming soon…

Evan Paasche
Afterschool Care/ Summer Staff
Biography coming soon…

Rosy Morales
Snack Artist/Preparer
Biography coming soon…