Angel Academy

Our Teachers

HALIMAH HARDEN, Director & Teacher, 15 years living her life’s work

Halimah’s life’s work is to support children and families through complete and unconditional love, unhinged wonder, and untrammeled creativity. She works with a variety of pedagogies and healing modalities that support children and families in aligning with their unique soul expression, pure heart, and inner-strength.

Halimah’s roots are woven in heart-centered teachings. These teachings enable her to do what she loves: Supporting Family. She loves helping parents undo many of the taboos that may come from being a parent. She facilitates seasonal workshops, publishes monthly newsletters, and creates podcasts for parents and teachers.

With love and patience, Halimah serves with joy.

May we always meet in wonder for our journey home to freedom.

Visit her professional website here

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ADRIANA KUSSRIJANTO, Teacher, 17 years living her life’s work

Adriana has over 15 years of early childhood education experience. She is well-versed in holistic and play-based methodologies. Adriana loves culture and traveling! She loves to learn about people and their traditions, especially through listening to ethnic music and learning foreign languages.

What does Adriana love the most? “Reading! My parents love books, and they encouraged me and my siblings to pick up books at a young age. Some of my favorite authors are J.R.R Tolkien, Victor Hugo, Dr. Seuss, Enid Blyton, Michael Crichton, and Paulo Coelho.”

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GABRIELLA RAMOS, Teacher

Gabriella is devoted to wholeness and commits much of her time to studying practices and approaches that encompass the whole being to evolve towards optimum health. She is an Anthropology Honors and Public Health graduate from the University of South Florida and credits her studies for being a catalyst in her deep curiosity for understanding the relationships of the whole self.

Gabriella developed a closer relationship with early childhood education following a service trip where she volunteered as a Teaching Assistant in a preschool. She also enjoys spending a great amount of time with her nephew. She is currently our beloved teacher who graces us part-time; her other time is spent in Edible School Gardens!

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CARMINA MARQUEZ, Teacher

Carmina’s biggest asset is her heart. With six years of early childhood education experience, one of Carmina’s greatest passions is to be in an environment that nurtures creative freedom. Carmina is a graduate of Bennington College in Vermont. Her area of concentration was contemporary dance and sacred vocal music. Indigenous and ancient sounds such as chanting, hymns, song, and rounds are dear to her heart. In 2008, Carmina joined Family School, a holistic preschool in Los Angeles that was grounded in Michael Rosenbaum’s work non-violent communication. Carmina is dedicated to listening to the children’s hearts, their passions, fears, and vulnerabilities. A farmer at heart, she loves digging in the dirt, planting seeds, and making magical brews (teas) for the children! Here is a toast to one of our beloved teacher, Carmina!

Testimonials

Read what the families are saying!

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT OUR YELP PAGE

Philosophy

Birthed out of a home in the Berkeley Hills, Angel Academy is a holistic preschool for children. Angel Academy supports the emotional and creative process of children so they may fully step into their wholeness while making peace with time.

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Location

Our program is located in a single-family home originally built in 1914 and located in the Berkeley Hills of California.

Children are offered rich, all-natural materials to support their work and play.

Our organic garden is designed for children to feel connected with themselves and nature. The school itself is designed to cultivate tranquility, self-love, spatial awareness, confidence, respect for others, and inner warmth.

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About our program

Mission Statement

The mission of Angel Academy is to be of service to children and their families in the most loving and present way. We are based upon a heart-centered pedagogy: Helping children find their breath, love their emotions, and stand in their freedom.

Parent Involvement

We welcome parents, grandparents, and other relatives to visit us. We love storytelling and art!

For community service, every family provides at least five hours of volunteering per school year. Various volunteer opportunities include field trips, teaching gardening, or assisting with our seasonal potlucks or brunch celebrations.

Admissions

If you would like to enroll, please submit an application. Please note that we require tours for all prospective families. Please do not submit an application if you have not visited the program. We will be unable to respond without the following information: Your name, contact, your child’s name and age. Thank you kindly.