Sunrise Montessori School
Enrichment
Sunrise is so pleased to be able to offer enrichment instruction such as art, music, and physical education during school, and extracurricular opportunities including Spanish language, dance, and private music instruction after school. Here are some of our programs and instructors:
MUSIC
Angela D'Angelo
With a Bachelor's of Music in Music Therapy, Angela has over 12 years experience as a Private Piano Teacher and 9 years experience as a General Music Educator. She utilizes the teachings of Orff & Kodaly through rhythm syllables, sol-fa, movement, instrument play, and singing.
Angela provides music instruction for the Toddler, Preschool, and Elementary Programs. During class, students explore basic music concepts through instrument playing, singing, and movement activities. Students in preschool/Kindergarten learn to read basic rhythm patterns, and eventually learn to read notes in the treble clef once they move on to lower elementary. All students have the opportunity to play a variety of drums, xylophones, boomwachers (pitched plastic tubes) and different rhythm instruments. Students will also learn a bit about music history and some basic music terminology.
Elaine Herrick
Elaine, a graduate of Westmont College and of CSULB (California State University Long Beach), has worked as a Music Therapist with children and adults for 20 years prior to coming to teach music at Sunrise Montessori. She teaches general music, utilizing recorders and composition, to our upper elementary class. If requested by parents, Elaine also gives private music lessons on piano or guitar to students of all ages during or after school.
Shauna Joseph
ART
Leo Fernandez
An enthusiastic and caring educator, Leo studied art, interior design, and photography in Napa and in his native Mexico. He teaches art for the Napa Valley Unified School District, as well as being the art instructor at Sunrise in the upper elementary class. His great rapport with students and innovative teaching style has made him a favorite in the classroom.
SPANISH LANGUAGE & BALLET FOLKLORICO
In addition to Spanish language instruction in the classroom, an after-school Spanish language class is also taught by Dinora Medrano. Each class is geared to each child's current Spanish language level. Children learn grammar, conversational Spanish, written and oral skills, and more. Classes are held on Monday and Wednesday from 3:00 to 4:15 p.m. (Elementary) and on Friday from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. for Kindergartners.
Ballet Folklorico is an energetic and fun dance program taught by Yolanda Sanchez and Dinora Medrano. Learning the dance enhances the students' understanding of cultural traditions and music. The children will demonstrate their skills at a performance during the Friends of Sunrise Montessori Carnival in June.
Dinora Medrano
In addition to her role as an assistant teacher in the Willow room, Dinora is an active mother of three boys, Daniel, Gaby, and Martin, all of whom are students at Sunrise Montessori. She enjoys kickboxing, cycling, movies, and spending time with her family. She holds an AA degree in Early Childhood Education and has completed her Montessori training at Contra Costa College.
Yolanda Sanchez
Originally from Jalisco, Mexico, Yolanda and her family now make Napa their home. She holds a Montessori Credential in Early Childhood and has been at Sunrise since 2002. In addition to being a proud mother, Yolanda loves to dance and ride her bicycle.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Sydney Bergin
During her twenty plus years in education, Sydney has taught middle and high school health and life science as well as K-8 physical education. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Pre-Physical Therapy and a teaching credential. Sydney has been involved at Sunrise Montessori since 1996 when her eldest daughter, Chelsea, started Pre-K. When Chelsea was a third year student and Marisa (Sydney's youngest) entered Pre-K, Sydney took over the PE program. Both girls have since graduated from Sunrise, but Sydney is not yet ready to graduate.
Download a description of the Physical Education Curriculum
Sunrise is so pleased to be able to offer enrichment instruction such as art, music, and physical education during school, and extracurricular opportunities including Spanish language, dance, and private music instruction after school. Here are some of our programs and instructors:
MUSIC
Angela D'Angelo With a Bachelor's of Music in Music Therapy, Angela has over 12 years experience as a Private Piano Teacher and 9 years experience as a General Music Educator. She utilizes the teachings of Orff & Kodaly through rhythm syllables, sol-fa, movement, instrument play, and singing.
Angela provides music instruction for the Toddler, Preschool, and Elementary Programs. During class, students explore basic music concepts through instrument playing, singing, and movement activities. Students in preschool/Kindergarten learn to read basic rhythm patterns, and eventually learn to read notes in the treble clef once they move on to lower elementary. All students have the opportunity to play a variety of drums, xylophones, boomwachers (pitched plastic tubes) and different rhythm instruments. Students will also learn a bit about music history and some basic music terminology.
Elaine HerrickElaine, a graduate of Westmont College and of CSULB (California State University Long Beach), has worked as a Music Therapist with children and adults for 20 years prior to coming to teach music at Sunrise Montessori. She teaches general music, utilizing recorders and composition, to our upper elementary class. If requested by parents, Elaine also gives private music lessons on piano or guitar to students of all ages during or after school.
Shauna JosephShauna Joseph, a graduate of Indiana University (psychology) and DePaul University (music therapy), has been teaching privately in Napa since 1990. She came to Sunrise Montessori ten years ago to teach music to our lower elementary class. Shauna utilizes the philosophy of Music Ed Ventures in the classroom to teach basic musical concepts through movement and singing. Shauna also offers private lessons in piano, guitar, or ukulele to children at the Sunrise campus or at her home. As a process, not product oriented teacher, Shauna's goal is to teach music to children in a fun, non-stressful manner.
ART
Leo Fernandez
An enthusiastic and caring educator, Leo studied art, interior design, and photography in Napa and in his native Mexico. He teaches art for the Napa Valley Unified School District, as well as being the art instructor at Sunrise in the upper elementary class. His great rapport with students and innovative teaching style has made him a favorite in the classroom.
SPANISH LANGUAGE & BALLET FOLKLORICO
In addition to Spanish language instruction in the classroom, an after-school Spanish language class is also taught by Dinora Medrano. Each class is geared to each child's current Spanish language level. Children learn grammar, conversational Spanish, written and oral skills, and more. Classes are held on Monday and Wednesday from 3:00 to 4:15 p.m. (Elementary) and on Friday from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. for Kindergartners.
Ballet Folklorico is an energetic and fun dance program taught by Yolanda Sanchez and Dinora Medrano. Learning the dance enhances the students' understanding of cultural traditions and music. The children will demonstrate their skills at a performance during the Friends of Sunrise Montessori Carnival in June.
Dinora Medrano In addition to her role as an assistant teacher in the Willow room, Dinora is an active mother of three boys, Daniel, Gaby, and Martin, all of whom are students at Sunrise Montessori. She enjoys kickboxing, cycling, movies, and spending time with her family. She holds an AA degree in Early Childhood Education and has completed her Montessori training at Contra Costa College.
Yolanda SanchezOriginally from Jalisco, Mexico, Yolanda and her family now make Napa their home. She holds a Montessori Credential in Early Childhood and has been at Sunrise since 2002. In addition to being a proud mother, Yolanda loves to dance and ride her bicycle.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Sydney BerginDuring her twenty plus years in education, Sydney has taught middle and high school health and life science as well as K-8 physical education. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Pre-Physical Therapy and a teaching credential. Sydney has been involved at Sunrise Montessori since 1996 when her eldest daughter, Chelsea, started Pre-K. When Chelsea was a third year student and Marisa (Sydney's youngest) entered Pre-K, Sydney took over the PE program. Both girls have since graduated from Sunrise, but Sydney is not yet ready to graduate.
Download a description of the Physical Education Curriculum
