Our Team
Danielle Oland
Director
Early childhood education is Danielle’s passion! She loves watching children discover the world, ask questions, gain independence, learn empathy, respect and confidence. She has been an early childhood educator since 2003, specializing in the Montessori Method since 2006 with a credential at the Early Childhood (Primary) level. She believes that the Montessori Method can be adapted to modern times and an emergent curriculum, and loves the ideal learning environment that it creates! She moved from her hometown of Pacifica to Sonoma County in 1999 to attend Sonoma State, receiving a B.A. in Psychology. She loves our relaxed natural community, and brings that feeling of warmth into her classroom and homelife. Danielle lives with her husband and two daughters, and finds peace being outside with trees, nature and sunshine.
Amy Beason
Infant & Toddler Program Supervisor
Amy has been working with children for over twenty years in many settings, and holds a Montessori Infant - Toddler Certification, an A.A. in Social and Behavioral Science as well as an Associate Teacher Permit from Santa Rosa Junior College. She appreciates that each child is a unique individual with their own interests and strengths, and she chooses to celebrate that individuality in the classroom! Her own daughter attended Rainbow Bridge, and now lives in Santa Cruz and is a teacher herself at the 4th grade level. Amy is interested in music, and plays the bass guitar. She also enjoys reading, photography, and art.
Amy Solis
Lead Infant Teacher
Amy’s experience working with children spans over 25 years. While earning her BA in Art History from Pine Manor College in Massachusetts, she worked as a nanny. She enjoyed working with children so much that she shifted her career focus to early childhood education and received her Child Development Site Supervisor Permit from San Francisco City College in 2012. She has experience working in Waldorf, Reggio Emilia and special needs classrooms. Before coming to Rainbow Bridge, she helped pioneer an outdoor preschool program in San Francisco. Amy plans curriculum based on her students interests and individual needs. She and her husband recently moved to the town of Tomales. She is thrilled to be living in this area and be part of the Rainbow Bridge community. Amy is passionate about her family, animals, nutrition, health and wellness. She loves reading, podcasts, yoga, walks on the beach, and connecting with nature.
Anahi Rodriguez
Floating Teacher
As a talented and dedicated teacher, Anahi provides critical support to the Rainbow Bridge team. She is presently pursuing a bachelor's degree in early childhood education at Sonoma State University. Photo coming soon!
Brittany Bryan
Lead Toddler Teacher
Bio coming soon!
Casey Ditzhazy
Primary Assistant Teacher
Bio coming soon!
Charo Banzon
Toddlers-in-Transition Teacher
Charo began her journey teaching at an elementary and high school in the Philippines for over 15 years. She has a B.A. in Music Education and Masters Degree in Educational Management. She shifted her career focus to early child education and received her Child Development Supervisor Certificate from Alberta Child and Youth Services (Canada), and taught in Montessori toddler and preschool-age programs in Canada. After moving to the US, she continued to work with preschool-age children as a Lead Teacher before joining Rainbow Bridge Montessori. One thing she loves most about teaching is helping children develop holistically in a nurturing environment as she prepares them for the road ahead. Charo loves spending time playing music with he family band. She is happily married and blessed with two beautiful and talented daughters. She also loves long drive trips and watching movies with her family.
Debbie Dickerson
Lead Toddlers-in-Transition Teacher
Debbie has been a member of the Rainbow Bridge community as a teacher and parent beginning in 1999. As a teacher, one of Debbie’s favorite things is seeing the excitement in each child as they make new discoveries. Debbie is pursuing a Montessori teaching credential at the Early Childhood (Primary) level. She has two sons with whom she shares a love spending time outdoors and 360 Sprint Car and Outlaw Kart racing.
Eris Moreno
Primary Teacher
Eris has been working with children for almost twenty years and has a background in multicultural and nature education. She spent several years teaching English to Spanish-speaking children in Mexico and here in the Bay Area. She has also taught at diverse local organizations that focus on outdoor science education and rich play experiences in the natural world. Since earning her AMI Montessori Primary credential (ages 2-6), she has dedicated herself to working with the Montessori Method. She believes that each child should be free to follow their own interests and passions and that the most important work a child can do is to create themselves into kind, confident, and creative beings. Eris spends much of her free time with family and exploring the natural world.
Isabella Bankmann
Primary Teacher's Aide
Bio coming soon!
Lois Engelsgaard
Toddlers-in-Transition Teacher
Lois has been teaching for nearly 20 years, and is a permitted Infant and Toddler Teacher. She obtained her Teacher Certificate from Santa Rosa Junior College and a Child Development Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Lois feels blessed to be part of the Toddler Program at Rainbow Bridge. She lives in rural Penngrove with her beloved thirteen year old dog, D.J., who is the love of her life! In her free time, she likes to spend time outdoors with her dog. She is an avid reader and home gardener, while still making time for her parents.
Stephanie Rodriguez
Arts & Enrichment Teacher
Stephanie is an Arts and Enrichment teacher at Rainbow Bridge. Stephanie holds an A.A. in Child Development and Social & Behavioral Sciences from Santa Rosa Junior College. She comes from a family who loves to draw, and is a gifted cartoon, portrait, and sketch artist. She brings this love to the classroom, and is thrilled when children create and express themselves through their artwork. She can’t wait to create new projects with Rainbow Bridge's students!
