MEET OUR STAFF
Stephanie Vorrises, Director
Hello, I'm Stephanie! I’ve lived in the San Francisco area my entire life and also attended school here at St. Thomas More. I enjoy visiting new places (especially those with beaches), playing basketball, and spending time with my family! I have always known that I wanted to work with children. I love their eagerness to learn about the world and the people around them and have always valued their natural ability to welcome, accept and learn about the similarities and differences between one another. I began working in Early Childhood Education in 2006 and have been at Utopia Preschool since 2013! My education includes a Bachelors Degree in Sociology with an emphasis on Social Services as well as, 19 Early Childhood Education units. Other certificates and trainings include a Site Supervisor Permit, Professional Learning Community (PLC), Reflective Teaching, Supervision and Mentoring and CPR/First Aid. My experience consists of teaching children 2-6 years old with varying abilities and participating in the IEP (Individualized Educational Program) planning and implementation process. One thing I enjoy most about my job is creating so many memorable relationships with the children, families and teachers! |
Andrea Posadas,
Lead Teacher and Assistant Director of Family Engagement I’m Andrea and I have been a part of the Utopia Preschool community since 2014. I was raised in Bakersfield, California, but the Bay Area is my home. I received my BA in Child and Adolescent Development, and studied Asian American Studies at San Francisco State University in 2013. Prior to Utopia, I was a curriculum coordinator with Pin@y Educational Partnerships, teaching Ethnic Studies and Filipinx Studies at Denman Middle School. In order to further my knowledge of the Early Childhood Education field, I have completed training in Supervision and Mentoring, Project-Based Learning, creating nurturing classroom environments, Anti-Bias Education, and Universal Design for Learning. Outside of work. I love drinking coffee, playing guitar, writing music, and eating all kinds of food! Utopia has been a wonderful place to grow alongside the children, and I love working with our passionate team of educators everyday. Andrea is the recipient of First 5 San Francisco's 2018 Excellence in Teaching Award. The annual Excellence in Teaching Awards is based on a competitive nomination process, focused on teaching excellence, as well as evidence of family engagement, leadership, and demonstrated commitment to creating high-quality, innovative early care and education curriculum, and environments. Congratulations Andrea! |
Cassandra Cottura,
Lead Teacher and Assistant Director of Administration and Enrollment I was born and raised in Daly City and attended St. Thomas More School as a child. I started working with children at the age of 16, through the YMCA of San Francisco as a childcare provider in their gym daycare. After I graduated from the University of San Francisco in 2011 with a BA in U.S. and European History and a minor in Fine Arts, I started working at Utopia Preschool as a teacher aid during the 2012-2013 school year. After Utopia I left to work full time at the YMCA preschool, at both the St. Francis and LCOS locations. While working at the YMCA, I took online child development classes to further my education in the field. I love spending time with my husband and 3 children! Trying new food and restaurants is one of my favorite things to do especially if it involves dessert! I also enjoy baking. I love shopping as well as exploring the Bay Area, specifically places my family can enjoy too! I am so happy to be a part of the Utopia family and can’t wait to enjoy another fun year with you all! |
Linette Illastron, Lead Teacher
Hi, my name is Linette and have lived in the Bay Area since I was 9 years old. I love to cook, sing, dance, play piano, go to the movies and recently found a love for nature hiking. Before I received my AS degree in Early Childhood Education, I studied Piano Performance at the S.F. Conservatory of Music and continued my studies at NDNU in Belmont. Having worked in the field for 15 years and at Utopia Preschool for 10 years, I’ve discovered the huge impact early childhood educators have in inspiring the love of learning and discovery by providing actual experiences. I look forward to welcoming new families, reunite with those who are returning and be a part of building a strong foundation of early learning for your child. Winnie Huang, Assistant Teacher My name is Rui Cang Huang, but you can call me Winnie! Winnie grew up in Guangdong, China, but San Francisco has been her home. I’ve worked at St. Thomas More School since 2010, starting in the Extended Care Program and then to Utopia Preschool in 2012. I’ve studied at City College of San Francisco taking Early Childhood Education classes such as basic Child Development, and have completed several Child Development certificates, such as “Building a Healthy Preschool Community,” “Inclusion-Understanding and Supporting Diverse Learners,” “Chinese Parent Education,” “Early Autism Spectrum Disorder,” and “Children with Special Needs.” I’m a mom of three grown children. My daughter Rouyi is already working, my oldest son, Jordan, is in the US Air Force, and my youngest, Stephen, is a senior in high school. Both of my sons graduated from St. Thomas More School! Outside of work, I like to go to the movies, travel, and have fun with my family. I love working with the children and families at Utopia Preschool, and am so excited for this school year. |
Mary Warner, Assistant Teacher
Hello! My name is Mary Warner A.K.A Teacher Mary. I was born and raised in Michigan and have lived in San Francisco for more than 30 years. I graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Theatre Arts. I worked in customer service for many years, and when I became a Mom I decided that I really wanted to work with young children. I began volunteering at my son's preschool and enrolled in classes at San Francisco City College. When I'd completed my certificates in Child Development and in Early Intervention for Children with Special Needs, I was offered a job at Forest Hill Preschool. I joyfully taught there for 12 years! When Forest Hill Preschool closed in 2019, I needed a new home. How lucky I was to be welcomed into the Utopia/St. Thomas More community. I spent the extraordinary year of 2020-21 with the Second Grade of STM. It was a wonderful experience! Now I'm happy to be back with my terrific colleagues at Utopia, where the children teach me something new every day! |