(510) 651-5833

 Licensed facility
# 010213705

Staff

Beth Miller, Director

I am pleased to have served as Director and teacher at Gan Sameach since 1998.    I enjoy the opportunities our small school setting and mixed age groups provide for learning.  One of my favorite aspects of teaching is guiding the children in our 4 organic gardens: a sensory garden, a butterfly and hummingbird garden, a friendship garden, and a vegetable garden.  Together these gardens are registered and certified as a Natural Habitat.  While in the natural environment, our children learn to care for our Earth and discover the beauty and wonder of the fruit trees, flowers, worms, snails, frogs, bees, butterflies, birds, and especially the hummingbirds that visit us daily.  My love for nature stems from my childhood, where I grew up on a small organic farm in the Napa Valley enriched with multitudes of plants, animals, and small critters.  I embrace diversity and find meaning in teaching Jewish traditions.  Having taught in Jewish preschools for 29 years, I enjoy the spirituality, values, storytelling, cooking, dancing, singing, creating, and weaving simple Hebrew into the heart of the classroom.   I also enjoy the diversity of the children and families that make up our extended community.  Our preschool provides an enriching environment, where I continue to grow and learn from our children each day.  On a personal note, I have a husband, 2 sons, 2 grandchildren, 3 cats, a dog, and an assortment of birds and squirrels that I feed and nurture in my yard.  I love to travel and enjoy being outdoors, where I satisfy my passion for reading, coffee, nature and photography. 

Karen Austin, Teacher

I was born in Chicago, Illinois where I spent the first years of my life.  I’ve also lived in Germany, England, Washington and Texas.  I moved to California close to thirty years ago.  My favorite childhood memories took place in Olympia, Washington.  I hold a Bachelors Degree in Child Development and 27 units toward my Master’s in Human Development.  I have been working primarily with children and families since 1980.  I have held positions from Teacher’s assistant, Nanny, Teacher, Head Teacher, Program Coordinator, Substitute Teacher, and Operating Director.  I began teaching at Gan Sameach in 2005.  As a teacher, I find it extremely rewarding to observe children grow and develop in all areas of their development.  It is a gift to watch a child glow with pride and joy as he or she makes a discovery or accomplishes a challenging task.  I also treasure the positive, warm, supportive, and respectful relationships that I form with the children, parents, extended family, and co-workers.  I love the outdoors! I love nature, hiking, and camping.  I also like to read books, watch movies, and attend concerts.

 Sarbjeet Athwal, Teacher