Nurturing Young Minds
with Care & Creativity
we’re all about our amazing team of educators!
We handpick talented and passionate teachers who bring warmth and enthusiasm to our school. Our loving, proactive, and devoted teachers are the heart and soul of our program, each one dedicated to creating a nurturing environment where children thrive. Each member of our team has completed comprehensive coursework in early childhood education, are well-versed in the industry’s best practices, and is trained in Pediatric First Aid and CPR. It is their creativity, care, and knowledge that has fostered our warm, comfortable and home-like environment where children learn and find friendships in our close-knit family.
Jenny Bradshaw
DIRECTOR
Jenny brings a wealth of experience, warmth, and enthusiasm to her role as Director of First Friends. She has a deep affection for young children, and has dedicated her life to creating nurturing learning environments for our earliest learners. Raised in Marin County, she received her BA from the University of Washington in Education, Learning, and Societies and Communication, and later pursued a Master’s degree in Educational Therapy at Notre Dame de Namur University where she has studied individualized intervention strategies to promote learning on an academic, psycho-educational, and socio-emotional level. She brings a range of practical experiences to this position, from working in preschool and elementary school classrooms, designing and implementing individualized preschool curriculum, running home-based schools for early learners, as well as working with infants and toddlers in daycare settings. Along the way, on a parallel track, Jenny worked as a project manager on large-scale, international, and corporate events. She is thrilled to bring her organizational, leadership, and project management to bear on her role as Director, where she can channel these skills toward what she is most passionate about - supporting our youngest learners. When not at work, Jenny enjoys gardening in her yard, cooking for her family, and spending time at home with her daughter, husband, and dog.
Monika Echandy
HEAD TEACHER & SITE SUPERVISOR
With more than two decades of experience working with children, Monika is a seasoned educator who has dedicated 12 years to teaching at First Friends. Monika's educational journey began at the College of Marin, where she earned her Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education. Her thirst for knowledge led her to Dominican University, where she furthered her studies in Humanities.
Monika received her Toddler and Primary Montessori Certification from the North American Montessori Center. Monika relishes the opportunity to guide children on their journey to becoming confident, lifelong learners. Her genuine love for nurturing and caring for preschoolers shines through in her unique approach to teaching.
Monika resides in Novato with her husband, their 8-year-old daughter (a proud First Friends alumna), and their dog Chewy. In her downtime, she enjoys exploring the great outdoors. Her love for hiking is just one of the many ways she stays connected to her Marin County roots.
Theanna Acdol
TEACHER
Theanna was born and raised in the Philippines in her cozy hometown called Iloilo. Theanna loves working with children; she has been part of numerous outreach activities that served children affected by systemic issues in the Philippines. She volunteered and spent two summers teaching english and math to young children in rural areas of her childhood hometown, alongside organizing feeding programs and donation drives for the local community. She previously worked as a nursery care provider at a preschool in San Francisco, and simultaneously completed her Early Childhood Education studies at the College of Marin.
Teacher “Yanna,” as the children call her, brings to the classroom a heart full of warmth and excitement not only for how much she could share with the children, but also what the children could teach her about the world every day.
Ana Segal
TEACHER
Ana grew up in creative and vibrant classrooms, attending a performing arts school in San Francisco. She completed her B.S. in Music Production at Elon University in North Carolina, where she tutored in the writing center and music department. She was also delighted in teaching local second graders English and math. Later, Ana became a registered yoga teacher: a valuable tool for teaching mindfulness and mind body awareness. She later pursued her Early Childhood Education studies at Saddleback University.
She returned to Bolinas and worked as an organic farmer for two years, cultivating her deep and loving relationship with the land. Ana enjoys rotating between her many hobbies such as crochet, sketching, songwriting, and painting. She also loves to hike with her 3-year-old rescue dog, Shadow.
Ana wants to empower young minds to believe in their inner strength. She brings warmth, creativity, and a playful spirit to the classroom, as she fosters meaningful relationships through the magic of music, yoga, and gardening. Ana is thrilled to connect with the inspiring young kids and families of First Friends.
Kate Gomez
ASSISTANT TEACHER
Kate is a Marin native who has seven years experience working with children in various settings. She previously worked as the Program Leader at the YMCA After School Program at Hidden Valley Elementary School, as a tutor for children K-5, and camp counselor. Her love of working with children and their families inspired her to study Early Childhood Education at College of Marin.
Kate’s approach to her work at First Friends Preschool is marked by a warm, loving demeanor and excellent organizational skills. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new places with friends and family.
Schedule a Tour
We invite you to experience the magic of our preschool firsthand! Come take a tour and discover the nurturing environment, dedicated educators, and enriching activities that await your child.
Schedule your visit today and see why families love being part of our preschool community.