Our Team

Judy Kahn

Founder and Mentor

Judy Kahn is the founding director of Beatie Street and is the guiding force behind the school for almost 40 years.

Judy worked as a boycott and labor organizer for over 10 years with the Eastern Farmworkers Association, the United Farm Workers,  SEIU, and the Alameda County Central Labor Council. In addition, she has worked in the mental health field as a social worker and community activist.

She founded Beatie St school in 1982 after having kids in order to spend more time with her kids, something community organizing did not offer. From there, she pursued early childhood education and completed her Montessori training, and eventually teaching early childhood courses at Cal State East Bay, St Mary’s College, Contra Costa College, and Los Medanos College.  The foundation of the school was upon the values of child-centered social activism and community building. Judy retired from directorship in 2020 and continues to mentor the new co-directors of the school.

Mayashree Baruah (She/Her)

Director of Curriculum & Lead Teacher

mayashree.baruah@beatiestreetpreschool.com

Mayashree completed a BA in Geography with a minor in economics from India. She has completed her associate degree in Early Childhood Education at Chabot College, California, and pursued her AMS ( American Montessori Society) Montessori Teaching certification for primary grades in the Bay Area, California. She also has a degree in fine arts!

She started my early childhood education in a very prestigious Montessori school at 4 years of age. Her director took direct training from Maria Montessori in Kolkata after World War II. Born and brought up in North East India, she has learned the value of community and cultural diversity while we worked in various community groups to improve political and social inequality. She has more than 20 years of teaching experience in Montessori as well as the traditional play base schools in the Bay Area. She is a member of various Indian cultural groups, leading event coordination and also works as an art teacher. She wants to create a positive and nurturing learning environment that fosters child development and values diversity. She believes each child holds diverse talents and capabilities. She considers it a privilege to help facilitate their learning, growth, and development in a healthy and happy environment. In her spare time, she loves painting, gardening, and cooking authentic food from around the world.

Breezy Mader (They/Them)

Director of Operations & Lead Teacher

breezy@beatiestreetpreschool.com

Breezy took an unorthodox path to early childhood education–first obtaining a degree in biochemistry and then moving through a series of odd jobs–they feel most at home in the classroom.

Breezy has been an early childhood educator for the past seven years and has experience teaching within many different types of programs including Jewish, Reggio-inspired and cooperative preschools. Having had the opportunity to practice many different types of teaching styles and methodologies, Breezy believes it is best to build classrooms that are child directed and play-based, while putting an emphasis on social and emotional development and community values. By learning alongside children, listening and responding to their sense of intrigue and supporting their curiosities, Breezy creates a learning environment that is reflective of the students. Breezy aims to uplift and recognize the diversity of the classroom and larger community the children exist within. They do their best to approach race, gender, ability, body type, family structures, religion and culture openly and honestly. They feel passionately about providing materials, books and celebrations that are diverse and authentic. Lastly, Breezy’s favorite part about being in a preschool classroom is the opportunity to build supportive communities, rooted in care for each other and for our environment.

Breezy moved to Oakland from the Midwest at the start of the pandemic and has slowly been exploring and enjoying their new Californian lifestyle. In their free time Breezy loves to camp and hike, and lay on the beach.

Becca Flory (She/Her/They/Them)

Administrative Coordinator & Associate Teacher

 becca@beatiestreetpreschool.com

Becca got their start working in daycares and nannying as early as age fourteen, and has been passionate about working with children ever since. She studied painting and ceramics at the San Francisco Art Institute, and is currently studying Early Childhood Education at City College of San Francisco. 

They were an assistant director at their previous school, where she taught using the Reggio Emilia approach, and led an outdoor T-K program. There she did many student-led projects, including an annual performance where students wrote plays, and created their own costumes and sets.

Becca has done many other creative and child-related jobs including face painting, painting murals for classrooms, and volunteering to do set designs for children’s plays. They have a passion for helping children explore their creativity and helping them achieve anything they set their minds to.

In their free time they enjoy sewing, exploring flea markets, and spending time with friends all around the bay area.