Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten

 

   

 

Kelly Hammond, Rebecca Faanes and Dani Martinazzi 

The Mountain View kindergarten program provides each child time to mature intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally at his/her own rate and according to his/her own capacity . The program offers the child an opportunity to extend his/her interests and create new ones.

Learning experiences and instruction are designed to address each child’s developmental needs, abilities, and strengths and provide a broad foundation for future academic growth . The kindergarten program is intended to provide an atmosphere that is responsive to a variety of learning styles, promotes a love of learning, and instills a sense of positive self-worth .

 

Kelly Hammond

I have spent many years at Mountain View, 7 of those as a student and the rest teaching. I have taught 1st, 2nd and 6th grades here at Mountain View, and I am excited to be joining the kindergarten team. I love all the families and the community here! It’s a very special place!

Attending Cal Poly, SLO I became a Mustang completing my teaching credential along with my BS in Liberal Studies. Later I went back to school to get my Masters in Leadership and Social Justice. I feel so lucky to be working at Mountain View helping guide students in their last year here at Mountain View. The relationships built with students and the joy in seeing each student grow and succeed are part of the many reasons I went into teaching. Every day is a learning experience, every day is a new slate and every day presents new rewards and new challenges.

I am an avid traveler and love to take new adventures. I have been to Iceland, Spain and the Sierras. Past summers I hiked KIlimanjaro, built a school in Nicaragua and backpacked around South America. I’m also a big Giants fan, Dodgers hats are not allowed in my classroom (just kidding). 

 

Rebecca Faanes

I joined Mountain View in 2017, and I am so happy that I did. I have taught in fourth and fifth grade primary, but I have also taught sixth grade and was a GATE specialist. When I am not in the classroom, I am spending my time with family. We enjoy hiking and going to the beach, as well as cooking our Sunday family dinners. Teaching was something I always wanted to do. I love teaching for so many reason, but when I watch a child have that “light bulb moment” where everything clicks, that is why I teach. I love to see a child persevere through a challenge and find success because of work they put in.  There are many unique qualities about our school, but the strength of the community is one that I love. It is a feeling that you get once you step on campus, and I think our children are lucky to have so many people supporting them.

 

Dani Marinazzi (TK)

My name is Dani Martinazzi and I will be teaching Transitional Kindergarten this year! I grew up in San Jose, California and moved to Santa Barbara to attend school at UCSB. There I obtained my teaching credential and Master's Degree in Education. I am also a mom to Kane (3 years old) and Kora (1 1/2 years old). You might see us walking around the neighborhood! I have been teaching kindergarten at Foothill Elementary for eight years and I am excited to start this new adventure in TK, as my passion is early childhood education. I am looking forward to working with the awesome students and staff that make up the Mountain View community.