Our Team

Victoria Lam Wong– Head Teacher/Owner

Ms. Vickie has been working in the preschool industry for over 20+ years.  She graduated from San Francisco State University with a focus on Early Childhood Development. Since then, she’s been on a quest to gain as much knowledge and experience from the many childhood development philosophies out there on how to better guide children to have more self-esteem, learn resilience, and self-regulation.  She’s studied philosophies such as Reggio Emilia, Project Approach, and Creative Curriculum and has worked in both the public and private sectors.  She’s worked as a lead teacher in community Head Start programs such as Wu Yee as well as preschool programs for the San Francisco Unified School District.  She’s also worked for both large and small private sector preschools in the Bay Area in order to gain experience in different environments.  Throughout the years, she has received numerous awards for her teaching practices and acknowledged for her classroom achievements. Her dream has always been to own her own center that will encompass all her experiences and philosophies to create an environment and culture all her own.

Andy Wong – Director/Owner

After college, Mr. Andy worked as a project manager of a large corporation before opening his own business in tech which he ran successfully for 16 years.  With the birth of his two children, he went back to school to study child development in hopes of being a great parent.  His journey to find a quality center and his wife’s dream of one day opening her own school led him to develop his own.  With his enthusiasm for learning, his commitment to quality, and his insight on management, he takes his role at the school seriously.  His “open door” policy with families and team members provides warmth, comfort, and leadership to the school.  

Karina Alvarado – Wonder Room Lead Teacher 

Ms. Karina was born in Mexico and moved to the United States at the age of 8. She has lived in Salinas California since moving to the US. She recently took a huge personal step to make the move to San Francisco in hopes to explore and grow in a new living environment. She received her AA in Early Childhood Education from Hartnell Community College and is currently attending Fresno State and should be receiving her BS this December in Child Development. She has worked as a tutor for migrant students for many years and her last job was for a Daycare caring for children ranging from 4 months old to 5 years of age. She enjoys working with children as they see life through a different lens. The way they explore, learn, and relate to others is such a wonderful experience. She loves learning from children and believes they actually teach her so many wonderful things.

 Ashley Lopez – Discover Room Lead Teacher 

Ms. Ashley is a SF native and has been a teacher working directly with children since 2016.  Throughout the years, she has worked with various age groups ranging from 3-10 years of age.  She’s always had a curious mind and loves to learn new things which is why she love working with children. They push her to continually learn and grow. Working with children is all she’s ever known and it continues to be her best job ever! 

Jenny Corpuz – Explorer Room Lead Teacher 

Ms. Jenny Corpuz was born and raised in San Francisco. and received her BA in Human Development with a concentration in Adolescence at Cal State East Bay. She is continuing her Early Childhood education and taking additional classes at Merritt College.. She had began a career in research working with adolescent teens but her curiosity has now shifted to working with younger children. She is excited to help young children reach their full potential and to inspire children to feel confident in whatever their heart desires. During her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with her dog, drinking boba with friends, and watching tv shows/movies on Netflix.

Natasha Hui – Discover Room Teacher 

Carynna Sera  – Petite Room Teacher Assistant

Ms. Carynna was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. She recently graduated from San Francisco State University and earned a BA in Psychology with a minor in Counseling. As a teen, she worked as a private babysitter and for a summer youth program with children ranging from 6-12 years old. Throughout some time in college, she worked part-time at a daycare for a local gym with children ages 1-13 years old.  She has always had a love of working with kids and loves seeing the world through their eyes. Carynna plans on continuing her schooling in Early Education to become a teacher. She enjoys traveling, doing acting/voice acting projects, and spending time with friends, family, and her dog Tofu. She is beyond excited to be a part of the Petite Explorer family! 

Karla Torruco – Petite Room Lead Teacher

Ms. Karla is a passionate educator born in Mexico. Her childhood is filled with fond memories of her own mother teaching and supporting early childhood facilities.  Needliess to say, it sparked her interest in teaching. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, specializing in Early Childhood Development and wellness.

Ms. Karla believes that childhood is the most beautiful stage of life and is dedicated to nurturing young minds. On her free time, she enjoys long walks with her dog, engaging in various sports, and indulging in her love for writing and baking. 

Alissa Dieteman – Wonder Room Teacher  

Ms. Alissa grew up in the East Bay Area, and has lived in San Francisco for 4 years. She has worked with children since 2017. Ms. Alissa began her career as a nanny, but found her passion teaching. She loves to see what sparks creativity and curiosity within children, and thoroughly enjoys observing the individual development of each friend’s skills in her classroom. In her free time Ms. Alissa loves painting, roller skating, and reading.

Leonela Jarquinn – Discover Room Teacher Assistant  

Chloe Beebe – Explorer Room Teacher Assistant  

Victoria Lam – Head Teacher/Owner

Ms. Vickie has been working in the preschool industry for over 20+ years.  She graduated from San Francisco State University with a focus on Early Childhood Development. Since then, she’s been on a quest to gain as much knowledge and experience from the many childhood development philosophies out there on how to better guide children to have more self-esteem, learn resilience, and self-regulation.  She’s studied philosophies such as Reggio Emilia, Project Approach, and Creative Curriculum and has worked in both the public and private sectors.  She’s worked as a lead teacher in community Head Start programs such as Wu Yee as well as preschool programs for the San Francisco Unified School District.  She’s also worked for both large and small private sector preschools in the Bay Area in order to gain experience in different environments.  Throughout the years, she has received numerous awards for her teaching practices and acknowledged for her classroom achievements. Her dream has always been to own her own center that will encompass all her experiences and philosophies to create an environment and culture all her own.

Andy Wong – Director/Owner

After college, Mr. Andy worked as a project manager of a large corporation before opening his own business in tech which he ran successfully for 16 years.  With the birth of his two children, he went back to school to study child development in hopes of being a great parent.  His journey to find a quality center and his wife’s dream of one day opening her own school led him to develop his own.  With his enthusiasm for learning, his commitment to quality, and his insight on management, he takes his role at the school seriously.  His “open door” policy with families and team members provides warmth, comfort, and leadership to the school.  

Jackie Angulo – Petite Room Lead Teacher 

Ms. Jackie moved to San Francisco at the early age of 3 and considers herself a native of SF! She graduated from Sonoma State University, where she earned her BA in Early Childhood Studies with a concentration in Development. While at SSU, she gained valuable field experience at the preschool on campus that focused on project-based learning and Reggio-Emilia. Ms. Jackie strongly feels that children teach her just as much as she teaches them. “Children are like a breath of fresh air, they are honest, curious, and possess all the qualities that drive me to continue to do what I do.”  Ms. Jackie loves to bake, read, drink boba, and spend as much time with family and friends as possible on her free time. 

Jessica Thomas – Wonder Room Lead Teacher 

 Ms. Jessica was born and raised just 45 minutes outside of San Francisco in a town called Moraga. After graduating high school, she went to the University of Colorado Boulder where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Public Health.  She found a love for teaching and is now entering her second year of being a preschool teacher. Outside of work she loves being out in nature, going on hikes, baking, knitting, and spending time with friends.

Adamari Martinez- Petite Room Teacher Assistant

Ms. Adamari was born and raised in San Francisco.  She graduated from UC Davis with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Chicano/a Studies and a minor in Human Development. As the eldest in her family, she grew up babysitting and caring for her younger siblings and cousins. However, while working as a camp counselor, she discovered her passion for early education and has found her way here to join the PE team!. On her free time, she enjoys going on walks, reading, and cooking.

Oceana Madani – Wonder Room Teacher 

Ms. Oceana Madani was born and raised on the small island of Molokai, Hawaii. In High School she was an avid swimmer and member of the swim team and has taught children 3-12 years old swimming lessons. She came to San Francisco to attend the University of San Francisco, where she graduated in the Fall of 2020 with a degree in Hospitality. Early in her college years she babysat part time for children 8 months to 4 years, and always enjoyed working with children.  In 2018, she suffered a stroke, and has been fortunate to make wonderful progress in her healing journey and complete her final years of college. As a stroke survivor she has learned and continues to learn many things about both physical and cognitive development. She is eager to share her experiences that being different and having a disability can be an asset. During her free time, she enjoys being in the sun and passing time with her cat, Winry. She is thrilled to be a part of The Petite Explorer Team!” 

Lauren Stuart – Wonder Room Teacher 

Lauren has lived in San Francisco for almost 20 years! She graduated from SF State University with a degree in Liberal Arts and continued her education at City College of San Francisco, obtaining her early childhood education teaching permit. She has worked in a preschool setting for the past 10 years working directly with children 2-5 years old.  She loves working with children to witness their curiosity and wonder in everyday learning. In her spare time she likes to work on her art and enjoy everything that SF has to offer!

Patricia Soon – Petite Room Teacher Assistant 

Ms. Patricia was born and raised in San Francisco. She graduated from San Francisco State University in 2021 earning her BA in Child Adolescent Development with a concentration in Youth and Out of School Time. She worked as a Youth Educator and a Program Lead with various age groups ranging from Preschool to High schoolers since 2013. She has always felt passionate about working with kids as she genuinely cares about early childhood development and the importance of being able to celebrate children’s accomplishments every day.  During her free time she enjoys working out, walking her corgi, cooking, and exploring the city with friends and family.