License # 430709411

5038 Hyland Avenue
San Jose, CA 95127
408.251.8633

We Nourish Our Staff!
A key part of Mandala's mission statement is to "nourish the staff." This is drawn from one of our founding principles, written 26 years ago when we established the school:

"…to create an environment where teachers, staff, and childcare providers can learn and thrive through support of their personal, as well as professional, growth."

When we started Mandala, we wanted to create a workplace that supported women's need to both have a career and a family-and be successful at both! We think we've done that.

Our Staff Remains With Us
We refer to ourselves as the "Mandala Family." Mandala is a happy and satisfying place to work because we are all professionals who care about children and we share similar values about educating young children. Best of all, we are committed to supporting each other in doing our best. As a result, we have a very low staff turnover rate at Mandala. Many of our staff have been here 15 or more years. Some have even been here over 25 years. The staff at Mandala are committed people and we feel grateful to have them!

Participatory Management: The Team Approach
Since its beginning, Mandala has been committed to a "participatory" style of management. This is in keeping with our philosophy. Mandala is committed to a team approach in which employees at each level are given independence and self-determination in decision-making about their area of work.

The Mandala staff is composed of two teams: the Classroom Teaching Team (8 teachers) and the Administrative Management Team (4 office administrators).


The Administrative Management Team is composed of the four office administrators: Administrative Director, Office Director, Childcare Director, and Family Services Director. They collaborate and function cooperatively in goal-setting and decision- making for the school. Each program director is responsible for her own program area and is accountable to the Administrative Director and the Board of Directors.


The Administrative Director assumes full responsibility and accountability for the total program of Mandala Children's House. While she retains the ultimate authority in determining the direction and decision-making of the entire program, she operates in a coordinating and synthesizing role on the Administrative Team. The Administrative Director, however, takes the responsibility for insuring the proper functioning and the leadership of the Administrative Team.

The management team is well rounded and experienced.
Marilyn Drino, Administrative Director
Preschool Program and General Administrator - (408) 251-8633 x13

We call Marilyn the "founding mother" of Mandala. In 1975, Marilyn (in collaboration with Linda Hovis and Anne Kangas) created the plans and philosophy for a preschool and satellite licensed family day care network. It was Marilyn's vision to establish a preschool in the East foothills of San Jose that fit the ethnic and economic diversity of the area. When Mandala first started, Marilyn taught in the mornings and was the Assistant Director in charge of curriculum and classroom oversight. Later, as Mandala grew and changed, Marilyn assumed increasing responsibility, and she eventually stepped into the role of Administrative Director in 1984. Marilyn is the "glue" that holds Mandala together. Her unique gifts and talents foster the "community" feeling that Mandala is so widely known for.
Roberta Sota, Office Director
Payments and Accounts - (408) 251-8633 x11
Roberta started with Mandala in 1979 as a part time receptionist and typist. Within two months, she became the bookkeeper. Since that time, the scope of her responsibilities has grown to encompass that of Office Director. She handles all the needs of the office and handles all the payments and accounts. Roberta is the person that looks out for all of us. She is the first friendly face that greets people when they come into the office. We would be lost without her.
Jean Buell, Family Childcare Director
Child Care Referral and State Funded Child Care Program - (408) 251-8633 x10
Many years ago, Jean started with Mandala as a childcare provider, and she became well known for her vocal advocacy of the many providers in Mandala's program. In the early 1980's, she was hired as a part time Resource Coordinator and soon became the Childcare Director, administrating the state funded child care program. This program has grown tremendously, from a $25,000 budget to over $350,000. Jean is also our "resident computer expert," and she has dragged us into the new century by keeping us up to date with current technology.
Anne Kangas, LCSW, Family Services Director
Family Support and Child/Parent Resources - (408) 251-8633 x14
Anne helped start Mandala with Marilyn Drino and Linda Hovis in 1975. She served on the Board for many years, taking responsibility for Personnel and offering administrative support. In November 1990, when the need for services to children and families was recognized, Anne was hired as the Family Services Director. She can now be found in the office four days per week. Anne is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and specializes in parenting, child development, and family problems. She also has a private psychotherapy practice.

 


Mandala has some of the best preschool teachers in the area. We are known for our "warm and nurturing" staff, and we are widely respected in the Early Childcare field. Many of our teachers have years of teaching experience with young children. They are enthusiastic, confident, and they really know young children! We also feel very fortunate to have teachers from a variety of cultural backgrounds, speaking a total of eight different languages.

The teachers at Mandala work together cooperatively as a team. They are responsible for maintaining the classroom environment, planning curriculum, teaching, and assessing children. The Administrative Director directly supervises the Teaching Team, and the Family Services Director consults with them about children, giving feedback and direction on emotional/behavioral/social issues.

Every week, the Teaching Team and Administrative Team meet jointly for weekly 1 ½ hour staff meetings on Tuesdays. Mandala also strongly believes in staff development. We offer numerous onsite trainings for our entire staff on a variety of issues relevant to young children and their development. We also provide incentives for our staff to continue their education by taking classes and workshops. Many of our teachers have gone on for advanced training and degrees since coming to Mandala.

Jennie Jones has been a teacher at Mandala for over 25 years. She received her Early Childhood Education (ECE) training from San Jose City College and Evergreen Community College. Her areas of expertise are music and storytelling, and she has attended many workshops to enhance her skills in these areas. She has also been instrumental in the planning of our small group Coping Curriculum. Jennie was the backbone of the Early Preschool for many years. Hundreds of parents remember her for her warmth and nurturing of their young children, especially helping them to make their first separation from home. Jennie also enjoys the challenge of working with children with special needs, which is a real skill she has developed over the years.

Penny Lawrie has been a teacher at Mandala for over 25 years. Penny was first a parent at Mandala, and both her sons came here many years ago. She returned to school and received her AA degree in Early Childhood Education from San Jose City College. She received her Montessori training from California State University Hayward Extension Program. Penny is also a certified CPR and Pediatric First Aide Instructor. She is a Mentor teacher with SJCC and supervises student teachers ("Mentees") at Mandala every semester. Penny also teaches Early Childhood Education through Adult Education. Penny is widely known and respected in the Early Childhood field, and we appreciate the way she keeps us linked and connected to the wider community.
Denise Rivas has been part of the "Mandala Family" since 1996. Denise was one of Mandala's substitute teachers and a childcare provider for many years prior to her hiring. She received her Early Childhood Education training from San Jose City College and completed her Montessori training from North American Progressive Montessori Teacher Training Centre. Her goal is to bring more Montessori materials into the Early Preschool (EPS) classroom. Denise's calm and accepting presence is very soothing to children in the classroom. Denise has two grown children and two grandchildren.
Mary McDonald started at Mandala as a parent about 20 years ago. She returned to us as a substitute teacher after several years of teaching preschool part-time at Evergreen Parks and Recreation. Mary has been part of Mandala's permanent teaching staff since 1996. She received her ECE training at San Jose City College. Mary brings an upbeat personality and a lot of energy and fun to the classroom. She loves music and drama. Mary looks for the best in every child. She always has a positive comment to offer and her continual optimism brings "sunshine" to the classroom. Mary now has a son in college and a daughter in high school.
Nasreen Ilyas began teaching at Mandala in 2001. She has been working in Early Childhood for more than 20 years, and we feel very fortunate to have her and the wealth of teaching experience she brings to us. Previously, Nasreen worked for Rainbow Montessori and the Children's Preschool Center in Evergreen. She received her ECE training from San Jose City College and De Anza College. She has a Bachelor's degree from the University of Punjab. Nasreen has a lovely way with young children and they are drawn to her quiet, gentle way. We especially appreciate the cultural richness Nasreen adds to our classroom environment. She grew up in Pakistan and speaks both Urdu and Punjabi fluently. Nasreen is the parent of three sons, ranging from elementary to college age.

Christina Ybanez has been teaching at Mandala since 2001, but has been part of Mandala unofficially for many years. She, too, was a parent in the school (and then a grandparent!). It had always been Christina's dream to work with young children. She is one of those "natural teachers." So, she started back to school and took her Montessori training, receiving her certification from North America Progressive Montessori Teacher Training Centre. She is also continuing her ECE training at San Jose City College. Christina first began working at as a substitute teacher and a Shadow Aide (for children with special needs), and then we hired her as a permanent teacher. She fills a real need in the Early Preschool, especially with her a warm and loving way. In the afternoons, she loves working with the older children, too. Christina also speaks Spanish and enriches us with her Hispanic culture.

Veronica Brandariz worked for us last year as a substitute teacher and now this is her first year as a permanent teacher. She first came to us as a Mentee from San Jose City College, working under the supervision of Penny. We loved her and wanted to bring her on board permanently. We feel very fortunate to have her as part of our preschool teaching team. Veronica brings fresh energy and zeal to classroom with her lively personality and her enthusiasm with children. She has a big smile and a kind word for every one. Before she came to Mandala, Veronica taught for five years at Evergreen Community Center. Veronica has a BA from Golden Gate University and completed her ECE training at San Jose City College. She is beginning her Montessori training and is always continuing her education by taking additional classes. Veronica has two children in elementary school.

Tiffany Lindsay began teaching at Mandala in the Early Preschool in the summer of 2005. She loves working with young children and they love her! Tiffany has a quiet and gentle way in the classroom, and we love that she is so open to growing and learning. After getting more experience at Mandala, Tiffany became clear that she was called to teaching as a career. She completed the Early Childhood Adult Education program with Penny Lawrie as her teacher. Tiffany is continuing her ECE education at San Jose City College and is currently working towards an A.S. in Early Childhood Education. Tiffany now teaches in the afternoon preschool program, also. She is a wonderful addition to our Mandala Family.
   

The teachers work in different Morning and Afternoon classes. These are the teacher placements for this school year.
Early Preschool (a.m. only) teachers are Jennie Jones, Denise Rivas and Christina Ybanez. Tiffany Lindsay is our Assistant Teacher in this classroom.

Morning Preschool teachers are Nasreen Ilyas, Penny Lawrie, Mary McDonald and Veronica Brandariz.

Afternoon Preschool teachers are Penny Lawrie, Jennie Jones, Christina Ybanez, and Tiffany Lindsay on MWF and Penny Lawrie, Jennie Jones, Denise Rivas and Christina Ybanez on T/Th