Meet our Team
Inspired & Passionate
Sarah Welton
Director and Teacher
Sarah has been teaching for Reggio-inspired preschools since 2017 and holds her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Sonoma State University. Most recently, she taught at Beth Ami Community Nursery School, leaving in 2022. While at BACNS, Sarah became a mentor teacher-guiding new staff in teaching young children with the Reggio-Inspired philosophy through Jewish Values and later became the interim director.
Sarah believes that the teacher's role is to scaffold children's natural curiosities and wonder, allowing the child to develop a love of learning that will impact them throughout their life. She enjoys going on hikes with her fiancé, Michael, and their dog Peanut, as well as working on puzzles!
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"Truly wonderful the mind of a child is." - Yoda
Makayla Smith
Aravot (Willows) Teacher
Makayla earned her Associates Teacher Certificate at American River College and has been teaching for nearly 15 years. She is extremely passionate about teaching and thinks that it is the most rewarding job there is. Makayla believes in the value of creating close relationships with both the children in her care, as well as their families. She has a deep love for social emotional work with small children and is very passionate about the Reggio Emilia Approach. She finds that there is value in giving children the freedom to be creative, get messy, experiment with ideas, and have open ended, provoking environments that foster wonder and imagination. She loves to build a connection with Mother Earth and the natural world with children, by bringing natural elements in whenever she can. She is excited to bring her Jewish background and values into the classroom and share them with the children. L’dor V’dor (From Generation to Generation). When she is not teaching, she spends her time outdoors, exploring national parks with her fiancé Josh and their fur baby Luna.
Keylee Peterson
Alonim (Oaks) Teacher
Keylee is a true Sonoma County Native, born and raised. She has been working with children for over 10 years and working in a preschool setting for 5. She received her Early Childhood Education credits at SRJC, where she will be returning to finish her AA. Her goal is to help your child strive and be the best version of themselves that they can be. In her free time, she loves being outside, going to concerts, or crafting a project.
Sasha Rose
Afternoon Teacher
Sasha Rose is passionate about supporting children to follow their spark of interest through learning and play. She has been studying and participating in student-centered, holistic approaches to learning for over 18 years, including Reggio-Emilia, Montessori and service-learning models. She has held the roles of preschool teacher, K-2 classroom teacher, after school program facilitator, youth leadership mentor, and Yoga instructor.
She earned her BA in Humanities from New College of California with a focus on Environmental Education and California Multiple Subject Credential from CSU Monterey Bay. In 2014, she opened an office downtown Sebastopol offering massage and astrological coaching as well as teaching yoga to elementary students part-time. In 2020, she shifted her business online and has taught classes and offered coaching to women across the world.
Sasha has lived on a 5 acre farm on a coastal ridge in Sebastopol with her dog, 3 cats for the past 9 years. Her 19 year old daughter lives in a cottage nearby.
Tali Marotz
Jewish Resource Specialist
Tali is a seasoned Jewish educator with experience in varied educational and community-building settings. For the past 30 years she has taught in Israel, Germany, Hong Kong, and the United States. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education and Art Therapy and is passionate about fostering an overall interest and love for Judaism, helping establish Jewish identities in our littlest community members. She believes that the rhythms and values of Jewish life and cultural exposure can be woven into the everyday experiences and spaces in a fun and interesting way. Tali is also an accomplished Artist and enjoys traveling, playing pickle ball, and swimming in her free time.
Coming Soon!
Advisory Committee