“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.”
- Plutarch
Our Educational Team
letters from our teachers
Eric Alvarado, Master Lead Teacher
My name is Eric Alvarado (Mr. E). I have been working in education for over 10 years.
A question that always comes up is: Why did you chose to become a teacher? I began my educational career on accident! I wanted to focus on economics and political science and accidentally took an introduction course to Child Development during my first year in college. Through this course, I explored neuroscience and how the child’s brain works. That course was the stepping stone in my career choice because I fell in love with the way children’s brains work, how they learn, as well as the theories and philosophies that we must understand in order to nurture a love for learning. That small accident allowed me to pursue my A.A in Behavioral Sciences, B.S in Early Childhood Education and M. Ed. (with an Emphasis on S.T.E.A.M). One small accident allowed me to develop a passion for learning and teaching.
With the world constantly changing, my goal as an educator this year is to foster a love for learning, inquiry, and creativity through S.T.E.A.M curriculum. My hopes are that through S.T.E.AM education children will explore science, technology, engineering, arts, math, and through this process develop critical thinking skills that will allow them to define a problem, analyze the situation, and find a solution but most importantly developing a growth mindset in the classroom.
Over the course of my educational career, I have made it my mission to foster a love for learning in the classroom through S.T.E.A.M education. But I would love to highlight three key elements that will also play an important role in fostering and nurturing a love for learning: Teachers, Parents, and the Environment. My hope is to have an open dialogue about what the children are learning in the classroom and the obstacles they are going to overcome throughout the year. When teachers and parents communicate, we become a team working together to support the needs of the child.
A little bit more about me: I was born in Long Beach, CA., but have been living in Los Angeles since I was a child and cannot see myself anywhere else, yet. I have a beautiful child name Allen, who inspires me to be a better person, teacher, and father every single day! When I am not teaching, I love to go to the beach, get a light workout in, go on lunch and dinner dates with the family, and I definitely love to relax and watch movies on a Sunday night. My favorite color is pink and favorite food is lasagna. I love spending most of my days enjoying the sun, but I also love when the rain finally comes because it means we can have hot chocolate, get cozy and watch movies.
I look forward to becoming a strong team and developing a strong relationship, where we can count on each other, learn from each other, and build a community where children can feel comfortable to learn, make mistakes, have fun, and most importantly be children!
Fondly,
Mr. E
Door to our enchanted former chapel-classroom.
“At Roots and Wings TK, the program and the teachers are next level; kids are able to be themselves but still follow the rules. The teachers are excellent – both are very calm.
Mr E is exceptional – the way he handles the kids is ideal: he does not get rattled by anything; he embraces the boy active energy.
My Jake is living his best life at R&W.
”
Stephanie Percy, Lead Teacher
My name is Stephanie Percy. This is my 5th year working in the education field, although I have worked with children for over ten years. Before pursuing teaching, I worked one-on-one with students to overcome learning challenges, such as auditory processing issues, ADHD, and dyslexia, through strengthening foundational learning skills. This is where my love for teaching began. I find joy in building these relationships and creating lessons that fit each child’s needs.
After earning my B.S. in Child and Adolescent Development, with an emphasis in early childhood education, I became a preschool teacher. I taught in the 3 to 5 year-old classroom at a high quality, play-based center that was nature-focused and allowed for children’s interest to guide the learning process. During my time at the preschool, I learned how important social-emotional learning is for young learners and I aim to incorporate those skills in everyday learning.
My time here at SAE has been spent in the kindergarten classroom supporting students prepare for first grade. I am so thankful for this opportunity to take what I have learned this year and be a part of Roots and Wings.
I believe relationships and community building are at the heart of young learners' success and look to help create a classroom that reflects that. I hope to work in partnership with families in an effort to nurture and prepare children for a bright future. I am looking forward to a wonderful year full of learning and growth!
Maria Boyd, Specialty Teacher
My name is Maria Boyd. I am a behaviorist and early educator who specializes in the social and academic success of children through social emotional learning and social thinking. My career in early education began as a preschool teacher in Venice. I worked at A KIDS PLACE under the director's and my mentors, Susie Leanord and her daughter Amanda Leanord. It was here I would learn a child’s ability to socialize and communicate with others effectively is a major factor in determining his/her success in school and in life. Teaching children how to get their wants and needs met, how to problem-solve, how to compromise and, when necessary, how to ask for help.
After time as a preschool teacher I became a Behavioral Interventionist working for Behavioral Building Blocks in West Los Angeles.
I was contracted at Westside Neighborhood School in Playa Vista, working in the preschool/ TK division and elementary school. It was during my time as a Behaviorist I immersed myself in Social Thinking and teaching its methodology. I now use Social Thinking Concepts as the basis to everything I teach.
Campus Meditation Garden
Administrators at R&W Center:
Director of Program: Margarita Pagliai
Admissions Director: Anjini Desai
Admissions Coordinator: Madison Asgeirsson
Liaison to parents: Brenda Cowdrey
Communication and Parent Engagement: Madison Asgeirsson
Circle time: Maddie Asgeirsson
Teachers: Eric Alvarado & Stephanie Percy
Social Thinking: Maria Boyd
Specialty Teachers:
Physical Education: Matias Testi & Colin Thomas
Spanish: Matias Testi, Ximena Galindo & Angie Acevedo
Art: Pieter Loring
Mindfulness: Beatriz Llano & Susana Pineda
Music: Colin Simson & Norma Latuchie
Dance: Elsa Chahin & Maestro Torres
Training & Professional development.
a captured moment from one of our professional development courses on mindfulness for our faculty and staff.