Ms. Yishan is a homeschool mom. She has a Bachelor's degree in Human Development with an emphasis in Child Development from UC Davis. She also holds a California Teaching Credential from National University with 15 + yrs of teaching experience. She has worked with children as young as 3 to as old as 15 yrs of age.

​

Yishan is passionate about nourishing children's creativity and their natural love for learning. She enjoys creating unique, student -centered, hands-on curriculum by mixing and combining different holistic approaches to inspire learning. In her spare time, Yishan enjoys cooking, yoga, making music & art.

Yishan was encouraged to open Juniper Tree by her daughter. The name Juniper Tree was inspired by her daughter who loves the tall, beautiful Junipers in their backyard. Junipers are also known for their strong, deep roots and medicinal healing properties.

*

Ms. Katya is a seasoned homeschooling parent and a passionate Math teacher. She was a Math teacher at the Russian School of Mathematics for many years instructing mainly Middle school students. She also homeschooled and taught math to all four of her children, her oldest now attending college. She enjoys incorporating hands-on activities and fun games in her lessons. 

​

Ms. Katya has a BS in Business Finance and Stocks 

and a Masters degree in Applied Linguistics and Artificial Intelligence. 

Ms. Sharon has been teaching Mandarin in Singapore for over 15 years to students ages 7 to 12 years. She enjoys teaching reading and writing in the Mandarin Language through hands on projects and academic learning. She also implements extracurricular programs like cultural cooking, music & art into her lessons. 

​

Ms. Sharon has also been teaching Singapore Math for 5 years. She supports and coaches students through challenging Math concepts with positive reinforcement and encouragement. 

​

Ms. Sharon holds a Bachelor's degree in Chinese Language and Chinese Studies as well as a Masters degree in Education. 

​

Ms. Sharon is also an author who published written assessments and lesson books for Primary School Chinese language learners. 

Ms. Shana has been teaching art to children for over 20 years. After receiving her art degree from UC Berkeley, she fell into a teaching position and realized she'd found her calling! It's incredibly rewarding for her to see students learn and grow; and have that "aha" moment when they understand a new concept.

Aside from art, she enjoys reading and writing and was excited when an opportunity opened up to teach English/Language Arts at Juniper Tree. She has worked at a library in the past and recalls all the wonderful books, especially the classics, that she read during that time. She has also written and illustrated a children's book to combine her love of art and writing. 

​

Ms. Shana is also an entrepreneur and the co-owner of her own Art studio called "Hidden Talent Art". She is eager to share and implement her knowledge and experience in our Entrepreneur lessons and projects.

Ms. Shana's hope is to inspire students at Juniper Tree to further their love of reading and writing, while teaching Language Arts and Entrepreneurship using fun, engaging, and hands-on approaches. 

Ms. Samare has over 10 + years teaching Math and Science to 4 to 11 yr old students. She enjoys designing and developing her own lesson activities using a melding of Waldorf, Reggio Emilia and Montessori approaches with an emphasis on the child's social, mental and emotional development. She is a STEM instructor and a Science Olympiad coach. 

​

Samare Moazeni holds a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from the Sharif University of Technology. She also has a Site Supervisor/Teacher Permit in ECE Education. Teacher Samare is dedicated to fostering problem-solving skills in her students through open-ended questions. Her passion for unlocking student potential guided her to get her Board Cognitive Specialist Certificate from IBCCES. Besides teaching, Samare enjoys gardening and throwing tea parties. 

Ms. Miroslava's roots come from a teaching family, with both parents being teachers. 

Having love and a passion  for teaching and being around kids since her childhood, Miroslava studied early childhood development and teaching back in Europe. She pursued her Associates Degree in English at Skyline College.

Miroslava's loving nature drew her to work in her in the classroom in her children's school. Since  her children's early years, she has volunteered to help run ELA/Math stations, organizing field trips, steam/science projects, Art Vista program, Fun Run,  Easter and Halloween events and other holiday celebrations. Ms. Miroslava enjoys interacting with children and seeing their personal growth.

In her free time, Miroslava loves to spend time with family and attending her children scouts and sports activities. She loves music, reading, spending time in nature, meditation, and traveling and exploring new places. Her greatest passion is alternative medicine/nutrition and holistic ways of living.

​

Natasha Robles is excited to be teaching kindergarten and first grade, English language arts at Juniper Tree! She is a proud homeschooling mama with 3 daughters, 5 and 3 years old and 7 months. They love reading and visiting public libraries, gardening, and trips to parks and the beach. 

Natasha received her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies: Teacher Preparation degree from San Jose State University in 2011. She later shifted her focus from teaching to counseling and receiving her Master’s in Counseling from Palo Alto University in 2017. She has worked with children K-4th grade in classroom and counseling settings, as well as worked with young toddlers and their parents in play and learn classes at Gymboree. She has always had a love of learning and teaching and she's excited to bring that passion to Juniper Tree!

​

Ms. Ixchel is a multi-talented 17 yr old homeschooler who has been with Juniper Tree since its first year. She assists the teachers in classes and also helps supervise the children at recess. Ixchel enjoys drawing and making origami with the children. They love her kind and patient nature.

Mr. Erik has been involved in education since 2008, when he received his multiple-subject teaching credential from San Jose State University.  He soon began teaching 6th grade English and Social Studies in the public school system where he could share his passion for ancient cultures.  Eventually he also taught 7th grade history as well as ukulele and musicology elective classes.  Most recently he was a music specialist for a program that provided music enrichment classes for grades K-5 at three different elementary schools.  He continues to guest teach for that program as well as being a dedicated teacher for Juniper Tree. 

In his free time he enjoys making music, riding bikes, gardening, being in nature, and traveling to warm places.  He is originally from the Bay Area and enjoys getting away to Lake Tahoe or to the coast when he can.  Erik is very excited to be teaching English and history once again and considers small class sizes a luxury!

Ms. Vanessa has been working with children for 10 years and teaching for 5. She follows the Reggio Emilia approach of child led learning and exploration. She believes we are born natural learners and that when we give them the space to explore, they thrive. Vanessa enjoys camping, the beach, and hiking with her toddler in their free time.

Basil Monge is a sweet and wise, almost one year old  puppy who completed her Dog certificate Training in April 2023. She helps children learn patience, responsibility and empathy. Her hobbies are trying new culinary dishes, playing fetch, going to puppy socials, and cuddling.