Teachers and Staff
Teacher Adriana has been teaching at Sand Tots since 2006. She is a co-lead teacher in our 2/3s program, teaching both the Frogs and Bumblebees, and is also one of our 4/5 Spanish teachers. Adriana also teaches Spanish Amigos, our after-school Spanish program for Sand Tots alumni, and is a co-teacher in our Tiny Tots program. She studied psychology at UDLA in Mexico and earned her Early Childhood Education Certificate from El Camino College. Adriana has two grown sons and an energetic dog named Chase. In her free time, she enjoys road trips, crafting, and, of course, sharing her love of Spanish with children.
Teacher Adriana Hwang
Teacher Rachael has been teaching at Sand Tots since 2019 and is also a Sand Tots alumni parent with two daughters that went through the program. She is a co-lead teacher in our 2/3s program, teaching both the Frogs and Bumblebees. Rachael also leads our Stay & Play Book Club and teaches Tiny Tots, our parent-and-me program. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and earned her Early Childhood Education Certificate from UCLA. Rachael began her career in education working in Special Education, primarily with children with autism. In her free time, she loves painting, hanging out with her pets, spending time outdoors, and having game nights with her family.
Teacher Rachael Gilleland
Teacher Ursula has been teaching at Sand Tots since 2012. She is the lead teacher of our 3/4 Sea Turtles class and is also one of our 4/5 Spanish teachers. Ursula also teaches Spanish Amigos, our after-school Spanish program for Sand Tots alumni. She earned her Early Childhood Education Master Teacher Certificate from El Camino College and her associate degree from Santa Monica College. Outside of the classroom, she loves painting, snowboarding, and dogs.
Teacher Ursula Keough
Teacher Lisa has been teaching at Sand Tots since 2018 and is also a Sand Tots alumni parent. She is an assistant teacher in our 3/4 Sea Turtles class and also teaches in Spanish Amigos, our after-school Spanish program for alumni. Lisa also co-leads our Stay & Play Book Club. Lisa earned her Early Childhood Education Certificate from UCLA. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, gardening, and spending time with the kittens her family fosters.
Teacher Lisa Pierse
Teacher Juliana has been teaching at Sand Tots since 2024 and is also a Sand Tots alumni parent. She is an assistant teacher in our 3/4 Sea Turtles class and a teacher in our Stay & Play Book Club program. Juliana holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and earned her Early Childhood Education Certificate from El Camino College. She enjoys traveling with her family, especially trips to Brazil to visit loved ones.
Teacher Juliana Dobner
Teacher Michelle has been teaching at Sand Tots since 1997 and is also a Sand Tots alumni parent. She is the lead teacher of our 4/5 Whales class. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Deaf Studies with a minor in Child Development from California State University, Northridge. Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, and reading.
Teacher Michelle Feralles
Teacher Jaime has been teaching at Sand Tots since 2017 and is an assistant teacher in our 4/5 Whales class. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Education from California State University, Fullerton. Jaime began teaching preschool at just 19 years old and has been working with young children ever since. In her free time, she enjoys sewing and making clothes for her family.
Teacher Jaime Swift
Teacher Laura has been teaching at Sand Tots since 2024 and is an assistant teacher in our 4/5 Whales class. Her husband and two children are Sand Tots alumni. Laura earned her associate degree in Early Childhood Education from El Camino College, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Exercise Science from UC Santa Barbara. She also holds a Master of Science degree in Athletic Training from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Outside of the classroom, she loves the beach, reading, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with family and friends.
Teacher Laura Williams
Our Director, Kristin Jones began her education journey as a teacher with Teach For America in 2005. She has been a teacher on and off (between raising her kiddos) for the past 20 years and has taught Kindergarten through high school in Los Angeles and Maui. She has a multiple subject and single subject teaching credential and an MA in Education from Loyola Marymount University. She also holds a BFA in Acting from UC Santa Barbara and an MA in Playwriting from UCLA. Kristin is also an alumni parent and served on the Board of Directors for 3 years before becoming the Director. In her free time enjoys traveling, writing, and spending time with her family.
Director Kristin Jones
Our Admissions Manager, Ali Pimentel, earned her Liberal Studies degree at San Diego State University. She spent seven years teaching preschool and art at Artzone. As an alumni parent, she served on the board for 5 years as Communication Chair and Vice President joining the staff part time as Admissions Manager in 2024. Outside of work, Ali enjoys being a soccer mom, watching sports with her family and exploring new hobbies of her own.
Admissions Manager Ali Pimentel
Our Finance Manager, Payal Kachalia, earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2024 and her Master’s Degree in Accounting Science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2025. After graduating, she spent several years working at Ernst & Young, LLP. She has three kids who attended Sand Tots for a grand total of 10 years. During her time as a parent at Sand Tots, Payal served on the Board of Directors as the Treasurer for 6 years and Secretary as 1 year. She joined the staff part time in 2025. In her free time, Payal enjoys traveling with her family, supporting her kids in all their activities, and crafting.
Finance Manager Payal Kachalia