About Us
At Growing Stem Academy, we believe that children thrive in an environment where their natural curiosity is nurtured. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, our program fosters creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration by allowing children to take an active role in their learning journey. Through our play-based learning model, children are encouraged to explore, ask questions, and make discoveries at their own pace, guided by teachers who respect their individuality and support their unique interests.
Our bilingual curriculum integrates English and Mandarin, offering children the opportunity to develop language skills in a global context while embracing cultural diversity. We believe that language acquisition is most effective when it's embedded in meaningful, child-directed experiences. At Growing Stem Academy, we are committed to creating a learning environment that empowers children to lead, explore, and grow into confident, creative thinkers.
We provide a comfortable, peaceful, and play-based learning environment where your child can explore, learn, and grow under the guidance of our professional and dedicated teachers.
We believe in working closely with parents, ensuring open communication and collaboration so that your child’s growth and education are aligned with the goals we set together.
Our bilingual English-Mandarin curriculum and engaging lesson plans are designed to support your child’s development in multiple areas—cognitively, socially, and emotionally—through fun and interactive learning experiences.
We are committed to preparing your child for the next steps, whether it's kindergarten or other future academic challenges, fostering both physical and mental readiness for their continued success.
Why Choose Us?
Meet the Team
Ms. Sandy
Director
Ms. Sandy is the proud founder and director of Growing Stem Academy. She earned her Bachelor's degree from the University of California, Davis, where she majored in Psychology and Chinese, with a minor in Education. Driven by her passion for child development, Sandy continued her education at Pacific Oaks College, earning a Master's degree in Human Development. Sandy's journey in early childhood education began as a teacher assistant, growing into roles as a head teacher and eventually a center director. With over five years of experience leading a preschool, she brings a deep understanding of nurturing learning environments, building strong communities, and supporting young learners' growth.
Ms. Jessie
Teacher
Ms. Jessie is a dedicated early childhood educator with a strong passion for supporting young children's growth and development. She earned her Associate Degree in Childhood Education and Family Studies from City College of San Francisco. She currently holds a Teacher Permit and qualifies for the Master Teacher Permit and Site Supervisor Permit, which are currently in processing. She has experience working with children from infants to five years old, and she speaks Mandarin and Cantonese. She is patient, caring, adaptable, and enjoys working closely with children, families, and teachers.
Ms. Elva
Teacher
Ms. Christy
Teacher assistant
Ms. Christy is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts degree at San Francisco State University, with a focus on Child Development and Early Childhood Education. She has always had a strong interest in working with young children and is passionate about creating a warm, supportive, and engaging environment where children feel safe to learn, explore, and grow.
She believes that every child is unique and deserves patience, encouragement, and opportunities to express themselves.
Ms. Elva is originally from South China and moved to San Francisco two years ago. Before moving to the United States, she worked as a preschool English teacher for many years. This experience gave her a strong foundation in play-based and developmentally appropriate learning, while also deepening her understanding of how young children learn, grow, and build meaningful relationships.
Since moving to San Francisco, Ms. Elva has continued her teaching career while furthering her studies in child development. She strives to support each child’s social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and language development while celebrating their individual interests, personalities, and strengths.
Most importantly, Ms. Elva believes that children learn best when they feel safe, loved, respected, and encouraged to explore. Her goal is to create a warm, nurturing, and engaging environment where every child feels valued, confident, and excited to learn.