Our Staff
Our team of experienced educators works together to create a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment that supports the developmental needs of each child. We believe in fostering curiosity and a love of learning through a balanced and developmentally appropriate curriculum. Each teacher brings unique skills and passions to the table, encouraging creativity and diverse approaches that enrich the educational experience for everyone.
At the heart of our philosophy is open, transparent communication with families. We are dedicated to building strong partnerships with parents and caregivers, ensuring that each child's journey is supported both at school and at home. We recognize that children’s development is complex and interconnected, which is why we tailor our approach to meet each child where they are in their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development.
Through the partnership of teachers and families, we foster a holistic approach to learning that nurtures every child’s growth, ensuring they feel seen, valued, and inspired to reach their full potential.
Director: Jesse Parish
Jesse Parish joined St. Francis in the spring of 2020. She holds a B.S. in Sociology and an M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Sonoma State University, where she specialized in anti-bias education with a focus on empathy development. With over 20 years of experience in the field of Early Childhood Education, Jesse has split her career between Montessori environments and play-based programs, thoughtfully integrating multiple pedagogical approaches into her practice.
Since 2015, Jesse has served as a school program director, recognized for fostering strong, community-centered values. At the heart of her educational philosophy is a commitment to cultivating environments where both teachers and children can thrive holistically—physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively. Her leadership is grounded in supporting independence, self-esteem, and a lasting joy of learning during these formative years.
Drawing from her years in the classroom, Jesse believes in emphasizing language development, creative expression, and hands-on exploration—whether through literature, geography, woodworking, sewing, or connecting with the natural world—as essential tools for inspiring curiosity, empathy, and a sense of stewardship for both community and the earth. She encourages educators to bring their own passions into the classroom and to teach what brings them joy, knowing that a fulfilled teacher creates a thriving learning environment.
Acting Director and Lead Teacher Time-for-Twos: Melanie Young
Melanie has worked in the field of Early Childhood Education for over 20 years. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of roles supporting children from birth to age five, including assistant teacher, lead teacher, and program director for five years at her previous school. Her passion for child development began in high school and continued through her college studies in Southern California—she knew early on that this was the path she was meant to follow.
Melanie has a strong passion for curriculum development that sparks curiosity and a joy for learning, while also building foundational academic skills. As a mother of three, she deeply values independence and works to foster self-help skills, emotional awareness and regulation, and confidence in every child she teaches.
In her free time, Melanie enjoys attending sporting events—whether cheering from the stands at a professional game or proudly supporting her own children from the bleachers. She also loves crafting and traveling with her family.
Assistant Director: Lil O’Farrell
Lili (Lil) O’Farrell is St. Francis Preschool Assistant Director. Coming all the way from Chicago, where she was born and reared, Lil holds a B.A. in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Small Business Management, and an M.S. in Human Resources Management. In the Summer of 2024, she began her PhD in Ethical Leadership, but had to hit pause temporarily, and hopes to get back to it soon.
Lil has spent the better part of the last 15 years in both the Administrative and Education realms, where she has held positions from Lead teacher to Program Coordinator and Managing Director to Director of Operations. Regardless of her role and/or place of employment, Lil quickly learned that her passion is in creating companywide success by putting an emphasis on employees–moving them to the forefront– and providing the necessary resources that help everyone to flourish. She looks forward to being able to help further initiate wellness and joy amongst the staff, students, and parents alike at St. Francis Preschool.
In her free time, Lil enjoys checking out new restaurants, seeing movies at the theatre, and exploring local towns and shops. Though she will miss the Chicago seasons—amongst other things—she is thrilled to be in Northern California on this new adventure and even happier to be a part of this new community!
Lead Teacher Transitional Kindergarten (TK): Shoshannah Vorhies
Shoshannah has been working with children for over 30 years. She holds a B.A. in Liberal Studies from Sonoma State University, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Dominican University, and a California Child Development Site Supervisor Permit.
Shoshannah began her career teaching kindergarten through second grade for seven years before joining the St. Francis Preschool community, where she has been a beloved teacher for the past 14 years. Her connection to the school runs deep—not only has she taught here, but both of her children are alumni. In fact, her daughter Zoë, a proud St. Francis Preschool graduate, now works alongside her in the preschool.
Outside the classroom, Shoshannah enjoys photography, baking, and spending time in nature.
Lead Teacher: Cookie Carville
Cookie joined the St. Francis Preschool Ohana in the fall of 2022, bringing with her over 30 years of experience in early childhood education. She holds a B.A. in Liberal Studies from Sonoma State University and completed the Multiple Subject Credential Program at Dominican University. With a deep love for teaching and a holistic, heart-centered approach, Cookie nurtures each child’s growth through play, creativity, and meaningful connections.
Rooted in her Hawaiian heritage, Cookie’s classroom is alive with music, movement, and aloha. It’s not unusual to hear her cheerful ukulele strumming or see children dancing and singing together—moments that capture the joy and spirit she shares with her students every day.
When she’s not with her preschool ohana, Cookie enjoys hiking coastal trails with her husband, chasing sunsets, and spending time by the sand and sea. She also loves singing, playing music with friends, and sharing smiles through her church’s children’s ministry
Lead Teacher: Rosa Mendez
Rosa was born in Guatemala and has a BA in Interior Design and a Preschool Teacher Diploma from Guatemala. She obtained a State of California Child Development Associate Teacher Permit through Santa Rosa Junior College. Rosa’s teaching experience includes eight years as a preschool teacher at a Montessori school in Guatemala. In addition to two years of experience in special education at the elementary school level in Mill Valley. Rosa joined St. Francis 25 years ago. She feels fortunate to teach in this nurturing loving environment where children can learn and experience new challenges that will help build their confidence while they play.
During this time at St. Francis, she has worked with all ages and taught Enrichment Classes, including developing the Spanish Enrichment Class. Rosa is currently the lead teacher in classroom C as well as teacher of Spanish class. Her hobbies include cooking, baking, jewelry making, watercolor painting, music, dance, traveling, and enjoying time with her family.
Lead Teacher: Beth Mason
Beth has a BA in Sociology from Vanderbilt University and a State of California Child Development Teacher Permit. She has been teaching preschool for 23 years. Beth joined the St. Francis staff in the summer of 2017 and is our lead teacher in Room B. Beth also spent many years teaching environmental education at various Bay Area nonprofits and in the Florida Everglades. She enjoys spending her free time outdoors, birding, gardening or paddle boarding with her husband of 31 years.
Lead Teacher Aftercare and Front Office Secretary: Cathy Rapoport
Cathy joined St. Francis Preschool in August 2021 and has over seven years of experience working with preschool and elementary-aged children. She holds an AA in Social and Behavioral Science and is just one class away from completing her AA in Early Childhood Development from Santa Rosa Junior College. She is passionate about creating a warm, engaging learning environment. In her free time, she enjoys puzzles, going to the beach, and doing arts and crafts.
Teacher: Christine Reyes
Christine joined the St. Francis Preschool staff in the summer of 2023 as assistant teacher. She was born in Manila, Philippines, grew up in Chicago, and has also lived in Melbourne, Australia, Seattle, and San Francisco. She received her general education from the University of the Philippines and is working on attaining her California Child Development Teacher permit. She has worked with children for many years, and in various roles, including nursery care, youth group leader, children’s ministry director, and assistant teacher in Novato preschool centers. Christine enjoys teaching through art, music, and movement. In her free time she loves baking and spending time with her family, especially her two granddaughters.
Teacher: Corlett Osbourne
Corlett joined the St. Francis staff in the summer of 2017. Since then she has explored many roles teaching in a multitude of age ranges within our classrooms including lead teacher in Time for Twos program and the Art Explorer and Movement Enrichment Classes. She has a BA in Sociology from Sonoma State University and a State of California Child Development Teacher Permit. Corlett taught preschool children from infants to Kindergarten age for nine years before joining our staff. Her hobbies include cooking, reading, and photography.
Teacher: Caroline Smith
Caroline earned her BA in Psychology from the University of the Pacific where she majored in Applied Behavior Analysis with a minor in Child Development. Caroline spent many years teaching in southern Marin. She joined St. Francis’s teaching team in 2017 and has been a bright light in every classroom she enters since. She lives in Novato with her husband and four children, three of which are St. Francis alumni! Caroline keeps busy with all of the children’s activities, but when she finds a moment to herself, she loves photography and walking her two puppies.
Teacher: Zoë Vorhies
Zoë began her journey at St. Francis Preschool in 2021 as a volunteer in the TK classroom and quickly became a valued part of the team. She now works as a teacher’s assistant in classroom E and provides support across all classrooms.
Zoë has a natural passion for working with children and brings both experience and enthusiasm to her role. As a St. Francis Preschool alum herself, she brings a special connection to the school community and a deep understanding of its values.
In her free time, Zoë enjoys singing and playing musical instruments, often sharing her love of music with the children.