As a play-based, cooperative preschool, Linda Beach emphasizes the development
of each child through independent and group play activities. The school was
founded on the belief that children learn more in a gentle environment rich with
age-appropriate stimuli and caring adults. Introducing children to the world around
them involves love, creativity and sensitivity. A nurturing atmosphere also promotes
social development, allowing children to expand their awareness of themselves and others.
While an academic curriculum is not the focus of the school, care is given to gently
guide the children toward kindergarten readiness. As they progress through the
program, play activities are structured to encourage the children to sit and listen
for longer periods of time, follow increasingly complex instructions, and express
themselves clearly. At all times, your child's physical and emotional well-being
are the prime concerns of the teachers of Linda Beach.
As experienced teachers and mothers, our teachers understand the
importance of your child's early school experience. Personal commitment to these issues is
the cornerstone of the program. Your choice of a cooperative preschool shows
that you share this commitment.
Barbara Ulbrich—Director
Barbara Ulbrich has been with Linda Beach since 1977 first as a parent, then teacher and finally director. She has Liberal Arts degree and an Early Childhood Development Certification. She has also taken courses in autism, ADD and ADDH, and kindergarten readiness. Before coming to Linda Beach, she worked at the Maryland Youth Correctional Facility and spent 22 years directing extended-care program at a local school.
Jean Nelson—Assistant Director
Jean Nelson has a life-time teaching credential. She has taught in both the Oakland Public School System and Oakland Catholic Diocese. She, too, started with Linda Beach as a parent when her daughter attended. Jean has been teaching at Linda Beach since 1989.
Shelley Kelley—PreK Teacher
Shelley Kelly was born and raised in Oakland, CA. She studied Early Childhood Education at Merritt College. She has a BA in Political Science from University of California, Berkeley and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, California State University, Hayward. She taught Kindergarten and First Grade in the Castro Valley Unified School District for three chidlren. Her three children went to Linda Beach. After doing some substitiute teaching for Linda Beach, she started the PreK program in September 2004.
Yvonne Loey—PreK Teacher
Yvonne Loey grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and lives in Danville with her husband and two children. Her son attended Linda Beach preschool. She has a BA in Broadcast/ Journalism from SFSU and decided to go into teaching after countless hours of volunteering at her children's school. She was the Kindergarten Teaching Assistant at St. Theresa from 2002-2004, and after we moved to Danville, she worked in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District as a para-educator. She is very proud to have joined the Linda Beach teaching staff in 2005, with the startup of our Pre-K program.
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