Our administration team has more than 15 years experience working with children. All of our teachers are fully qualified, and we do not have any teacher aids. All teachers are Infant, Child and Adult CPR and First Aid certified, cleared through the Department of Justice, FBI Database and the Child Abuse Index.
My name is Rebecka Williams (Becki), I am the proud director of our beautiful school, Knowledge Tree Children’s Academy (KTCA). I am a graduate from Sacramento State University with a bachelor’s degree in Child Development. I have over 25 years of experience in childcare field as director and teacher. I believe that all children can and will be successful in the right environment which fosters play, social growth, challenges them academically and provides them with a healthy and safe environment.
My philosophy is that every child should be treated with love, respect, and kindness. Preschool should be a place where children are taught to love to learn and become lifelong learners. My favorite part of every day is to see the smiles on the children’s faces as they excitedly enter the school ready to laugh, play, and learn.
On a personal note, I have two wonderful children. My daughter is 19, a sophomore at San Diego State University and my son is 17, a junior in high school. Together we love to travel, go camping, and hang out with our two Jack Russel puppies.
Hi, my name is Frank Lin. I serve as the curriculum coordinator as well as the Mandarin teacher here at Knowledge Tree. My responsibilities include meeting with teachers to discuss lesson plan adjustments, material prep, class observation, and translation. My educational background is in science for which I obtained my bachelor’s degree at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. Soon after, I studied ECE at Sierra College for my ECE teacher certificate. I received my graduate certificate from National University in 2014 and then a master’s degree in special education in 2019. I taught as a pre-k teacher at Joyland Preschool for five years prior to my current position. My time as a teacher taught me the importance of supporting children’s learning via scaffolding and developing their sense of wonder about the world around them. It’s my goal to continually improve our lessons and activities to ensure they adapt to the needs of the children. In my spare time, I enjoy drawing, films, practicing the violin, reading, and DnD.
Hello Knowledge Tree Families, My name is Erica Van Tongeren. I have been here at Knowledge Tree since the beginning. While I am still an Elephant Room Teacher, I am now also the Curriculum Coordinator! I have my AA in Liberal Studies and my BA in child development. My passion for teaching came from my family. I am the youngest of 4 and I have 5 nieces and 1 nephew. I have always been surrounded by kids and I love doing things with them and seeing the world through their eyes. Kids are always learning and seeing new things, and that is the best part of teaching. I enjoy being there with them and guiding them as they experience these things. I am married to my high school sweetheart and we have an amazing, smart, and sassy daughter. She loves coming to Knowledge Tree, learning, and playing with friends. When I am not here I enjoy quiet days at home, being anywhere outside, taking trips to the beach, and enjoying family time. I love doing anything creative, I am always happy when I get to color, paint or create something either for my home or in the classroom. I look forward to working with the teachers at Knowledge Tree and creating awesome curriculums for each classroom!
Hello! My name is Kaitlin Merideth, feel free to call me Katie! This is my first year teaching so I am very excited to get to know all of my first ever students and their families! I am enrolled in Sierra College as a Liberal Arts major with a minor in Education and currently in the process of completing my ECE unit requirements to transfer to Sacramento State.
I have always wanted to become a teacher. In my youth (funny, coming from someone in her early 20s!), I loved to sit my stuffed animals up and teach them everything I learned at school! This included giving tests, assignments, grading, and playing with them! My favorite thing about working with Preschoolers in their never-ending energy. I am constantly on my toes and kept alert by how fun and excitable they are!
In my spare time, I love to play with my cat, Rosie, play video games, and sing! I’m so excited for many more years teaching children and allowing them to grow and blossom into beautiful human beings!
Hi Families! My name is Natasha, but I go by Tasha. I just recently moved to the Sacramento area. I was born and raised in Salinas. I am the oldest girl of seven kids, and I helped take care of my siblings and cousins growing up. I knew from a young age that I would work with children when I grew up. I have been working with children of all ages since I graduated High School in 1999. For the last 12 years, I have worked in the preschool setting. In my opinion, the preschool age is the best age. I’m so happy to be working for KTCA in the Panda class. I look forward to helping all these little ones grow and learn while they’re in our care.
My name is Josephine. I have been married for over 30 years and have two daughters and one son. I have been in licensed child care for thirty years. I love being with young children and bringing love and positive care to all. I have a great amount of respect for all children and feel that being with them is the most rewarding job in the world. My job makes me feed needed.
Watching children develop and interact with one another day by day is a wonderful experience. I feel blessed. I make children and families feel comfortable by making the classroom a warm and friendly environment. I am committed to providing the highest quality care.
Hello families, my name is Ms. Dale. I am very excited to be a part of the Lions class as their afternoon teacher. I am a Jersey girl with 2 adult children and 3 grandsons. My journey in teaching started when my own 2 children attended a co-op preschool. It wasn’t difficult to decide my career after spending time with the children. From the moment I started Sierra College, my life truly began. My first preschool brought me to Roseville where I taught a TK class and eventually became the Program Assistant Manager. After a few years, I ventured into the developmentally disabled field. I then retired from that and because I missed the children very much, so I returned to Roseville. I taught children ranging from infants to school-age. That is when I met the wonderful Ms. Wen.
I am so pleased that I have found my way to this wonderful school, KTCA; I love new adventures and hope to introduce new ideas in science, art, music and cooking. This will be a paradise of learning and fun for all. A few of my favorite things: traveling, music, crocheting, cooking and plant rescue.
Hi, my name is Viola Langston. I am delighted to be working at Knowledge Tree Children’s Academy here in Rocklin, CA with your precious children. It has always been my dream to teach kindergarten at an elementary school. I received my 21 ECE at SJCC, and have one more class to go for my associate’s degree at BYUI, and then I will pursue a Bachelor’s degree in education. I also accomplished the NAEYC Accreditation Program. I have been working with children for 34 years of all ages, and it has truly been a blessing. I previously worked at KinderCare for seven years and before that, in a school district teaching reading readiness and substitute teaching in Mississippi.
My husband and I just moved back to California from Mississippi two years ago and are super happy. I am a native Californian. We are approaching 12 years of marriage this coming September, but have known each other for 14 amazing years! I have a 27-year-old son who also lives in California and has studied to be a welder. My family is mostly here in California, and I come from a very large family of 12 siblings, with two sets of twins. Yes, I am a twin as well. A few of my favorite things are cycling, skiing. Hiking the great outdoors, family times, and cooking & baking. My two favorite holidays are Easter and Christmas. If you catch me in a bookstore, you’ll find me in the children’s section.
I look forward to the opportunity to teach your children and to gain great relationships in the four-year-old classroom!
Hello Parents, I’m so excited to be teaching your kids! My name is Dioselina but I also go by Dio. When I am not in our classroom, I am taking trips and making memories with my little family. I have a one-year-old son who will also be attending Knowledge Tree. We love reading, hiking, camping, and going swimming. My favorite season is Fall, I love Fall weather and going to the pumpkin patch and carving pumpkins. I am a recent graduate of Sacramento State and I have a bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders. I am currently taking time off before I attend Grad School. I have taken child development courses and really loved coming up with fun ways to get the kids to engage with their curriculum. I am looking forward to the rest of the school year and helping every student prepare for kindergarten!
Hi, my name is Jody. I am a floater teacher in the Honeybee and Panda rooms. I feel very privileged to spend each day playing with and teaching your amazing children. I have lots of experience working with children of all ages, from infant to school-age.
I have been involved in my own children’s schooling and activities over the years. I’ve been a Girl Scout leader, room mom, team parent and have helped with many school events over the years. I began working with children in the WPUSD school district from 2015 to 2019 as a substitute teacher. Prior to coming to Knowledge Tree, I was working at an in-home preschool with 3- and 4-year-olds. I have also been involved in Bayside Church’s Children Ministry for over 10 years. I have loved working with children for as long as I can remember. I began babysitting when I was 12 years old and have 4 siblings who are all quite a bit younger than me whom I helped care for growing up.
I have 3 beautiful and very smart daughters, ages 13 to 26. Our family loves to travel when we can, visit with family and friends, go to the movies, explore different zoos and play games. When I have time for myself, I enjoy reading—that’s if I can stay awake long enough to do so 🙂
I truly enjoy getting to come to work each day to all the smiles and hugs.
Hello families, my name is Maria Cherry and I have been working with children for 9 years. As an experienced childcare professional, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work here at Knowledge Tree Children’s Academy. My educational experiences include creating a developmentally appropriate curriculum for all age groups and teaching in Spanish. I am First Aid certified and currently completed 32 ECE units.
My daughter, Luna, attends KTCA and she is in the Caterpillar classroom. Luna loves all her teachers! She enjoys the curriculum the teachers provide and always leaves the classroom happy. I love working at Knowledge Tree Children’s Academy and that I can be a part of this wonderful team!
Hi Knowledge Tree Families! My name is Aalysha and I have been teaching children since 2017. I have my associate’s degree in social science and Bachelor’s degree in human development with a focus on childhood development. When I first started teaching I taught children with autism for 3 years before transitioning to teaching preschool. I currently have no children of my own, but I am an aunt of 8, and I am engaged and set to be married in the spring of 2023. I have taught ages 1-12 and preschool age is by far my favorite age group I am excited to be a part of your child’s journey in preparing them for Kindergarten and giving them life skills they can use throughout their grade school experience.
Hello friends! My name is Mackayla and I am so very excited to meet you all. I grew up being the middle of seven children and am 23 years old. I have three older sisters, an older brother, and two younger twin brothers. I have wanted to be a teacher ever since I was in high school and my favorite teacher had a great impact on me and showed me just how important a teacher can be. Since then I’ve wanted to be able to do the same for other kids and show them there will always be someone who cares about them and believes in them. I nannied for four years for three young children and it was always so rewarding. Doing crafts and having fun together was the highlight of my day. Being able to see the smiles on kids’ faces when they’ve completed a project or understood a new concept brings me so much happiness. I am looking forward to being a part of your child’s growth and helping them succeed in all that they are capable of.
Hi, my name is Kayla King, I am fairly new to the teaching world but don’t let that fool you. I have been working in childcare since a pretty young age. I have truly loved every second of it. I am beyond excited to take on this new journey of being/becoming a teacher. While getting to watch all these amazing and smart kids grow I myself get to grow and learn. I have always known that I had a love for working with kids from tiny babies to older kids. It has always just come so naturally to me. Fun fact maybe it’s because I grew up in a family of nine siblings and am the third oldest I took on some of that older sibling responsibility. I will be growing as an educator and furthering my education to become a fully qualified teacher. Aside from teaching a few things about me, I enjoy reading, cooking/baking, and pretty much anything outdoors. I love just spending a day out on the lake or at the beach or even a day in the mountains. Nature is my happy place outside of work. I am excited about this year and I hope you are too.
Hello Friends, my name is Ms. Sarah! I am very excited to be teaching your little monkeys this year. I have been working with children for about five years in and out of formal classroom settings. I have experience with infants through school-age children and have enjoyed learning and growing alongside them all. I’ve always had a passion for teaching young minds which led me to pursue and obtain associate’s degrees in Early Childhood Education and Social and Behavioral Sciences. My teaching philosophy includes providing whole-child support and creating a positive learning environment to meet the needs of each unique child. Outside of the classroom, I am a mother of a two-year-old daughter who happily attends Knowledge Tree. I’m also an avid rock climber, hiker, and reader. On any given day, I’m happiest under the sun.
Hi there! My name is Amanda Sillivan. After high school, I began working at a preschool as a teacher’s aide and fell in love with being in the classroom! From there, I started attending Sierra College and studied Early Childhood Education. Since starting my teaching career nearly 7
years ago, I’ve had a daughter of my own who is 2 years old and attends Knowledge Tree Children’s Academy as well! I enjoy teaching while
having my daughter with me as I work each day. My goal as a teacher is to help children to be successful in life beyond academics. It’s my belief that engaging children in meaningful conversations and catering to each child’s individual learning style through hands-on teaching is what will get
them ready for kindergarten, as well as foster self-help skills. I met my boyfriend when I was 16 and we now have our 2-year-old daughter, Penelope, and a puppy named Hank. I love spending time with my family as well as being outdoors and trying new things. I look forward to a fun year of learning and getting to know your child!
Hello, my friends!! My name is Ms. Sam and it is lovely to meet all of you. I am 24 years old and am currently enrolled at Sierra College. My husband and I recently got married and have always wanted a family of our own one day! I am fully qualified in Child Development and have 12 years of experience working with kids. I started working with kids at age 12 and have always had a passion for teaching kids. I have experience with infants all the way to high school through mostly volunteer work and daycare jobs. I am fully qualified in CPR and First Aid (top of my class) every two years since 2013. I am also a singer and have been singing since the age of 3. I’ve auditioned for American Idol, and The Voice performed on Good Day Sacramento and even got the opportunity to sing with Disney Star Zendaya. Kids love when I sing with them! I also enjoy cooking, horseback riding,
painting, and spending time with family. I am so excited to have this beautiful opportunity to help your children become the best they can be!!
Hi, my name is Pino Fiorenze and I’m the bus driver here at Knowledge Tree. I was born and raised in southern Italy in an area known as Calabria. When I finished school I joined the Italian Navy where I served as a communications specialist. After my serves, I then came to America with my wife Josephine when I was 23 years old.
Josephine is the Monkey’s teacher here at Knowledge Tree and together we have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. We enjoy being with family and attending the various events that our grandchildren participate in such as plays, dances, and sports. In my spare time, I also enjoy watching professional soccer and bowling. I like the great people who work here at knowledge Tree and we all appreciate the opportunity to work with your great children!
