Our Staff
Would you like to join a great team?
We seek qualified teachers and interns for our Primary, Elementary and After-school Programs Please click here for more information.
Mr. Bautista, Elementary Head Teacher/ Enrichment Program Director
Alvin I Bautista, better known by his students as “Mr. B,” was born and raised in Manila, Philippines, where he studied in the oldest private boys’ school, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, founded in 1621 by the Dominican Province, Order of Preachers. He was an Academic Scholar, a Student Leader, Peer Counselor, graduating Summa Cum Laude with the degree of Bachelor of Science, Major in Psychology. He served in the same institution as a Faculty Member in the Arts and Sciences Department, teaching Basic and Higher Psychology subjects, as well as Physiological Sciences.
With his wife, Jocelyn Sarreal, he co-founded the pioneer Individualized Instruction and Values Integrated School in the Division of Cavite, offering Preschool, Grade School, and High School (Regular and the pioneer Adult Night High School).
Migrating to the United States of America, his family settled in Vallejo, California, bringing their only daughter Agnes, who will be graduating at UCLA in June 2020. Their two sons, Jonathan Allen, a Lawyer, and John Andrew, a teacher and a professed Dominican Brother of the Order of Preachers, remained in the Philippines to pursue their respective professional careers and vocation.
Having loved teaching, the arts and literature, Mr. B, joined Starting Gate School and was the Head Teacher for seven years, where he successfully implemented engaging Elementary curriculum and crafted innovative enrichment programs for the K-12 Elementary classrooms.
Mr. B enjoys sharing his passion for the arts and drawing, for literature, writing, and poetry, and the game of kings, chess with his students, and won several awards and recognition. He also enjoys watching science fiction, anime, and Broadway musicals.
A note from Mr. B
“In this exciting challenge working with a dynamic and committed leader, Josie Gerber, and a creative team at the Napa Valley Montessori Learning Center in American Canyon , sharing learning experiences with a vibrant batch of students, as well as with committed, supportive families, I look forward to fun, adventure and high spirits, a whole new world of learning, discovered and powers unleashed. Carpe Diem!”
Ms. Rachelle, Lead Teacher/Assistant Preschool Director
Ms. Rachelle has been working as a preschool teacher since 2013. In San Francisco, she began her teaching journey at Bright Horizons, where she worked for almost three years before moving on to becoming the lead Pre-K teacher at St. Anne’s School. After the birth of her daughter, Charlie, she moved out of the city to her hometown Morgan Hill; where she taught preschool and Pre-K at Stratford School. After several years at Stratford, educating through the pandemic, she taught at Oakwood School. While at Oakwood she was the Assistant Teacher to two Kindergarten classes and a substitute teacher for both preschool and elementary school.
Before she became a teacher, she worked as a nanny and preschool/elementary children’s soccer coach while attending the Academy of Art University. It was there that she was classically trained to be the Fine Artist she is today. It brings her great joy to intertwine her passion for art with her passion for working with children. In all of her experiences in teaching, she has found that creative outlets are so beneficial with expressing ourselves as well as working through our emotions. In fact, she is currently writing and illustrating a children’s book precisely on that topic, and can’t wait to share it once completed.
In 2023, after marrying her best friend, she moved to Fairfield to start a new chapter in her life. She gained another daughter in getting married, who also happens to be named Charlie. So now they are a family of five, with two Charlie girls, 7 and 10, and a Vizsla puppy named Scout. They are an adventure family who loves to hike, skate, swim, paint, go camping and cook meals at home together.
“I am so thrilled to be joining Napa Valley Montessori and to be part of such a strong team of kind and nurturing teachers. I’m also really looking forward to getting to know everyone and bonding with our NVM families. Thanks for the warm welcome, NVM!”
Ms. Citlalli, Primary Teacher Assistant
Ms. Citlalli (Ms. C) joined Napa Valley Montessori in the spring of 2020. She is currently attending Diablo Valley Community College studying Kinesiology with an emphasis in Early Childhood Development. Ms. C enjoys Napa Valley Montessori’s child-centered approach and likes how the children are given practical life materials to discover, learn, and help them become independent.