Cristina has been with Santa Cruz Montessori since 2007 when she joined the Learning Support team as an instructor and classroom Learning Coach. Her daughter also attended SCM and is now an Occupational Therapist working with children. Cristina has a BA in Language and Culture (French and Spanish) from UC Santa Cruz; a teaching credential from St. Mary’s College in Moraga; and a MA in TESOL from San Jose State University. She also completed the Lower Elementary Montessori training at the Montessori Teacher Education Center, San Francisco Bay Area, in San Leandro. As a Learning Specialist, Cristina is trained in a variety of research-based programs and practices. She enjoys working one-on-one with the children in the Lower and Upper Elementary classrooms and providing small group instruction in reading, spelling, writing, math, and social learning. In her free time, she likes traveling with her husband; taking walks with their dog; and speaking French to anyone who will listen.