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Veronica Goei, Executive Director
408-347-7892 ext. 303 vgoei@gfsfamilyservices.org Veronica has been GFS Executive Director since 2000. She is a leader in the nonprofit sector with more than 18 years of experience. Under her leadership, GFS has built a reputation for expertise in early childhood literacy, family engagement and working with Latino families. She has developed curricula in the areas of parenting, diversity, early childhood literacy, and adult education. Her curricula are implemented at the local, state and national level. Veronica serves on the New Market Tax Credit advisory board of Opportunity Fund and is a member of the Children's Musical Theater of San Jose's Board of Directors. Veronica holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Chile. She is a graduate of the Harvard University Strategic Perspective in Nonprofit Management Program. She counts many accomplishments in her professional career, but none is greater than her family—her two children, Heather and Jeremy. |
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Liliana Amaro, Facilities Manager
408-347-7892 ext. 302 lamaro@gfsfamilyservices.org Liliana has over ten years of experience as an administrative assistant. Liliana holds a BS in Business and Finance with a minor in Economics from San Jose State University. While in school, Liliana was part of the Braven Academy, where she worked with a team of six students on leadership development projects utilizing design thinking to foster creativity and innovation. |
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Nereyda M. Hurtado, Ph. D., Associate Director
408-347-7892 ext. 301 nhurtado@gfsfamilyservices.org Nereyda is a child development expert, who spent over a decade as a researcher at Stanford University, where she conducted studies on language development and parenting practices with monolingual and bilingual families living in the Bay Area. Nereyda is responsible for the implementation of the Building Blocks of Parenting Family Engagement Professional Development Program which seeks to support schools in transforming their interactions with families into meaningful collaborations between parents, teachers and other school staff. Nereyda graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a doctorate in educational psychology. |
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Juana Castillo, Preschool Site Supervisor
408-347-7892 ext. 316 jcastillo@gfsfamilyservices.org Juana is the Grail Family Services' California State Preschool Program Site Supervisor. Juana has been working with families and children in Santa Clara County since 2007. She has a deep vocation, great knowledge, and experience in the field of Child Development. She has a great dedication for the progress and well-being of each of the preschoolers and their families, putting the children first. Juana has a BA in Business Administration from her native country, Peru. Juana has a Child Development Site Supervisor Permit from the California Teacher Credentials Commission. She is currently pursuing her BA in Human Development at Pacific Oaks College. |
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Melissa Canela, Parent Services Manager
408-347-7892 ext. 314 mcanela@gfsfamilyservices.org Melissa coordinates the Birth and Beyond Family Empowerment Program. She also works with our ESL class on Fridays, scheduling informational presentations and workshops, and activities to practice speaking in English. Melissa has a B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Education from the University of San Francisco. Before coming to GFS, she was a Community Liaison for Alum Rock Union School District, where she provided resources to parents and families by creating partnerships with local organizations, increased parent/family engagement, and built meaningful and supportive relationships between school and students' homes. Melissa is a first-generation Latina born and raised in the east side of San Jose. |
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Yadira Grajeda, Program Director
408-347-7892 ext. 315 ygrajeda@gfsfamilyservices.org Yadira is responsible for the coordination, implementation, and effective management of GFS’s family engagement programs including the Yes We Can Read!™ Plus (YWCR+). Prior to joining GFS, Yadira worked as a Family Services Coordinator providing direct services and referrals to low-income families living in affordable housing. Yadira graduated from University of California Santa Cruz with a BA in Sociology. |
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Rosie Lopez, Family Literacy Coordinator
408-347-7892, ext. 305 rlopez@gfsfamilyservices.org Rosie coordinates, implements and evaluates GFS literacy programs, including Yes We Can Read!™ Plus (YWCR+). Prior to joining GFS, Rosie worked as an Instructional Assistant in the Central Valley providing 6th and 8th grade students with online services to improve their reading and math comprehension. She has also worked as a bilingual para-educator assisting teachers, students and parents. Rosie graduated from CSU Stanislaus with a BA in psychology and Spanish. |
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Leslie Flowers, Development and Communications Manager
408-347-7892 ext. 304 lflowers@gfsfamilyservices.org Leslie is responsible for Grail Family Services’ fund development and communications activities, including grant proposals, newsletters, social media content and fundraising events. Her background spans journalism, human resources and corporate training. As an avid reader and lifelong learner, Leslie is thrilled to be working with an organization that focuses on children’s literacy and academic success. A native Californian, Leslie has a BA in journalism from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. She enjoys travel, hiking, volunteering, theater, and reading. |
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Nora Guerra, Professional Development Manager
408-347-7892 nora@gfsfamilyservices.org Nora recently retired from the Oak Grove School District as Director of Educational Innovation and Development after serving 36 years in the public school system. Her responsibilities included Family Engagement projects and Early Care and Education collaborations throughout the county. She is member of the Santa Clara County Office of Education's Strong Start Coalition and the Local Planning Council. Nora also served in the Alum Rock School District for 11 years as Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services as well as other roles including Academic Achievement Officer, Director of Curriculum, and Coordinator of Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment. Prior to central office administration, Nora taught both elementary and middle school; and was a middle school Assistant Principal and elementary school principal. |
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Brenda Arenas, Child Enrichment Coordinator
408-347-7892 ext. 308 barenas@gfsfamilyservices.org Brenda comes from Chihuahua, Mexico, and has been with GFS for 12 years. She coordinates the Child Enrichment program in the morning. She has implemented several family literacy programs and is strongly involved in her community. She has studied child development at De Anza College, and has a passion for working with families and children. |
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Martha Frias, Child Enrichment Teacher
408-347-7892 Martha comes from Zacatecas, Mexico, and has been with GFS for 10 years, focusing on the enrichment of 1 to 2 year olds. She has studied child development at De Anza College. Martha is very creative and loves working with children. She is the proud mother of two children. |
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Maria Serna, Child Enrichment Teacher
408-347-7892 Maria comes from Aguascalientes, Mexico, and has been with GFS for 13 years, working with children ages 0 to 5. Before GFS, she worked at San Antonio Elementary School, first as a volunteer at the preschool level, then at the kindergarten level, and finally at the first grade level. In 2004, Maria obtained a family child care degree. She studied early childhood development at De Anza College, and is currently continuing her studies at Mission College. |
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Irma Contreras, Child Enrichment Teacher
408-347-7892 Irma is from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. Irma began her journey at GFS as a community member and engaged mother for three years. She joined the GFS Team two years ago as the child enrichment teacher in our infant room, and has continued her studies at Mission College in the area of child development. |
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Celia Elizabeth Beltran, Child Enrichment Teacher Substitute
408-347-7892 Celia Elizabeth comes from Jalisco, Mexico. She provides support to the Child Enrichment Team in caring for babies and toddlers of parents in GFS programs. Celia Elizabeth was previously an active parent in GFS programs and workshops with her 2-year old daughter. Celia Elizabeth is currently studying child development at Mission College to continue expanding her expertise in the field. |
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Gabriela Zamora, Preschool Teacher
408-347-7892 Gabriela comes from Michoacan, Mexico, and has been with GFS for one year. She has been focusing on the enrichment of newborn to 2-year old children. She has studied Child Development at Mission College. She loves working with children, and is pursuing a career as a preschool teacher. |
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Maria Ornelas, Lead Preschool Teacher
408-347-7892 mornelas@gfsfamilyservices.org Mari was born and raised in San Jose, California. She is an Associate Teacher in the GFS Preschool. Mari has a personal mission to inspire and encourage students to strive for greatness, and to teach them through hands-on experiences to help them realize their full potential and become the best they can be. She is currently attending San Jose City College to acquire her Associate of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education. Outside of her academic training, Mari attends early childhood education workshops. |
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Paloma Cortez, Preschool Teacher
408-347-7892 pcortez@gfsfamilyservices.org Paloma is one of our preschool teachers. She is currently attending San Jose City College pursuing her Associate Degree in early childhood education. Her mission is to provide a safe, developmentally appropriate environment that promotes children's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth. Paloma enjoys reading and singing to children. |
