Get to know the passionate educators and staff members who bring warmth, expertise, and commitment to every child's learning journey at Chibi Chan Preschool and Chibi Chan Too.
Lori is a native San Franciscan and lives in the city with her husband of eight years and their five year old son.Lori holds a B.A. in Sociology from the University of San Diego and a Site Supervisor level California Child Development Permit. She studied ECE at City College of San Francisco and Skyline Community College. Prior to joining Chibi Chan Preschool, Lori volunteered at San Diego’s Child Development Center and worked at JCYC’s Tomodachi Summer Program as a Supervisor.Lori was the Lead Teacher of the Caterpillar Class for seven years. In 2015, she became the Program Coordinator for Chibi Chan Preschool and Chibi Chan Too. In 2023, she became the Associate Director for both preschool sites. This is Lori’s sixteenth year at Chibi Chan Preschool.
Shana is a native San Franciscan and former program participant of JCYC. After earning a B.A. in Child Development from San Jose State University in 1997, she was hired as a teacher at Chibi Chan Preschool. In 2000, she obtained a Site Supervisor Permit and became Program Director. She would later take on the role as Department Director of Childhood Development Programs in 2017, when she helped open the second preschool site, Chibi Chan Too located at the Booker T. Washington Community Service Center. In her capacity as Director, Shana has been the creative and driving force in the preschoo’s overwhelming success. She has been involved in planning the physical environment of the site, the expansion to serve toddlers, and the development of cutting edge, age-appropriate curriculum for 2 to 5 year olds. Outside of work from JCYC, she is a proud mother of twins, Makai and Makoi, and loves to hike and travel tol near and far places.
Shana is in her twenty-sixth year at Chibi Chan.
Jennifer Yip is a dedicated educator with over 21 years of experience in the field of early childhood education. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development, with an emphasis on school-age children and families, from San Francisco State University. Jennifer has been an integral part of the Chibi Chan Preschool team for 19 years, where she applies her extensive knowledge and passion for nurturing young minds. Before joining Chibi Chan, she worked at Grattan Elementary's Afterschool Program.
Born and raised in San Francisco, Jennifer is deeply connected to her community. She holds a Site Supervisor/Program Director child development permit and is committed to creating a supportive, engaging environment for every child in her care. Jennifer is also a proud mother of two, Ryan (16) and Sophia (12).
Lisa was born and raised in San Francisco. She lives in the Peninsula with her husband and two children.
Lisa holds a B.A. in Consumer and Families Studies with a focus in Child Development and a Site Supervisor level California Child Development Permit.
Prior to joining Chibi Chan Preschool, all of her work experience and years in working with children have been with JCYC.
Lisa is in her twenty-third year at Chibi Chan Preschool.
Jessie was born and raised in San Francisco’s Sunset Area. She is the youngest of three girls. She and her husband have been married for five years and have a three year old son. Jessie holds a B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development (School-Age Child and Family) from San Francisco State University and a Site Supervisor level California Child Development Permit. Prior to joining Chibi Chan Preschool, Jessie volunteered at the UCSF Child Development Center on Parnassus. She worked at Cornerstone Academy’s elementary after-school program and in their preschool classroom.This is Jessie’s eleventh year at Chibi Chan Preschool.
Claire was born and grew up in China.Claire holds a Masters in Management Science (Corporate Management) and a B.S. in Resources Environment and Management of Urban and Rural Planning from China and a Site Supervisor level California Child Development Permit. Prior to joining Chibi Chan Preschool, Claire worked at Presidio Knolls School.Claire is in her sixth year at Chibi Chan Preschool.
Adriana was born and raised in the East Bay and moved to San Francisco for college.Adriana holds a B.A. in Psychology with a concentration in Neuroscience from the University of San Francisco.Prior to joining Chibi Chan Preschool, Adriana has worked in the ABA field as a registered behavior therapist working with children with Autism, interned as an undergrad in a preschool classroom and babysat. This is my first year in the early education field as a teacher, and I am currently obtaining my child development permit, yet I have been working with children for over two years now. I am currently heading into my second month working at Chibi Chan and I am beyond excited to be a part of the CCP team! In my free time, my hobbies include being a dog mom to my two dogs (Goose and Shark), traveling, and finding new adventures with my sister!
Jeanine holds a BA in Ethnic Studies and has completed 28 units in Early Childhood Education. She is passionate about supporting children’s growth and development. With over 2.5 years of experience teaching early childhood education in California, Jeanine has taught children ranging from preschool to high school age.
Born and raised in California, Jeanine comes from a large family of 12 siblings. Her experiences growing up in such a big family have shaped her community-minded approach to teaching and caring for young children.
Outside of teaching, Jeanine enjoys hiking, meditating, listening to music, watching movies, relaxing at the beach, and traveling. She is dedicated to making a positive impact in the world and believes in the power of play, quoting O. Fred Donaldson: “Children learn as they play. More importantly, in play, children learn how to learn.”
Karen began her journey with Chibi Chan Too in August 2024 and is currently pursuing her Associate Teacher Permit. She brings with her 20 years of experience as a nanny, having cared for four children from one family, three of whom attended Chibi Chan Preschool. Originally from New Zealand, Karen has called the Bay Area home for 30 years. She enjoys hiking, swimming, and traveling, and currently resides in the East Bay with her wife of 29 years and their cat, Minnie.
Title: PreK Teacher, Shark ClassAlex grew up in San Diego and moved to San Francisco for school. Alex holds a Masters in Education and a B.A. in Psychology with a Minor in Youth and Child Development from the University of San Francisco and an Assistant Teacher Permit level California Child Development Permit. Before joining Chibi Chan, Alex had worked at summer camps since high school and was a student teacher for several years. This is Alex’s sixth year at Chibi Chan.
Flora is a native San Franciscan and lives in the city with her husband and three year old son. Flora holds a B.A. in Psychology and minor in Child Development from San Jose State University and a Site Supervisor level California Child Development Permit. Prior to joining Chibi Chan Preschool, Flora worked at San Jose State University’s Child Development Center.Flora is in her seventeenth year at Chibi Chan Preschool.
Emiko was born and raised in the Inland Empire in Southern California. She moved to San Francisco in 2022 and currently lives with her younger brother and best friend. Emiko holds a B.S. in Human Development and a A.B. in English from University of California Davis. Prior to joining Chibi Chan Too, Emiko was an intern at the Early Childhood Lab in the toddler classroom. She also ran an elementary school reading intervention program with Reading Partners as an Americorps member. This is Emiko’s first year at Chibi Chan Too.
Currently, I am studying Marriage and Family Studies online at Brigham Young University (BYU-Idaho). I hold a Teacher Permit and have Child Development as my background. Prior to working at Chibi, I have worked as a Behavior Therapist with an ABA facility in Texas, was a previous Teacher at Holy Name Preschool, Volleyball Director at Camp Legarza, and has tons of experience coaching multiple sports from as old as high school to K-8th grade. I have worked in the teaching field for about ten years and this is my 6th year with Chibi since 2018. Being born and raised in San Francisco, it’s truly like no other home. What I enjoy the most is to spend time with family and my dog Roxy!
PreK Teacher, Shark ClassAmanda was born and raised in the beautiful city of San Francisco. She is a proud mama to a lovely boy named Ronin and a forever passenger princess to her loving partner, Jordan. Amanda has studied Early Childhood Education at City College of San Francisco and holds a Teacher level California Child Development Permit. She has dedicated the past decade of her life to this field.This is Amanda’s sixth year at Chibi Chan Too.
Jason is a native San Franciscan and lives in the city with his wife of eight years, Michelle, and their two sons, Riley (6 years) and Logan (4 years).Jason holds a B.A. in Child Development from San Francisco State University and a Site Supervisor level California Child Development Permit. Prior to joining Chibi Chan Preschool, Jason worked as a Youth Development Coordinator and at JCYC’s Tomodachi Summer Program as a Daycamp Coordinator and Supervisor. Jason is in his tenth year at Chibi Chan Preschool.
Wendy and her family immigrated to America from Hong Kong in 1991. Wendy holds a B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development from San Francisco State University and a Site Supervisor level California Child Development Permit. Prior to joining Chibi Chan Preschool, Wendy worked as an after-school teacher at Belvedere Montessori.This is Wendy’s third year at Chibi Chan Preschool.
Anna holds a B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development from San Francisco State University and a Site Supervisor level California Child Development Permit. Prior to joining Chibi Chan Too, Anna worked as an after-school counselor at The Salvation Army Chinatown Corps Community Center for six years. She worked as a teacher’s assistant at Bright Horizons Family Solutions and then transitioned into the toddler classroom for five and a half years. She continued to work at True Sunshine Preschool as a permanent English Teacher and later worked at The Storybook School for four years. This is Anna’s second year at Chibi Chan Too.