Teachers and Staff
Cynthia Mendez Reimann
Director of Academia de Mi Abuela, Youth Mentor and Founder
Mrs. Reimann graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in World Arts and Cultures.
She then continued her education and earned a master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Elementary School Instruction and Multicultural-Interdisciplinary Curricula. She holds a Director’s Permit in Early Childhood Education (ECE).
Cynthia continues to advocate for high quality, and affordable preschool education for all and mentoring Oakland youth in the field of ECE.
Valeria Magaña
Early Education Co-Head Teacher, Administrator
Martha Valeria Magaña Espinoza was born in Mexico and resides in San Leandro, CA.
She has a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics, Accounting and Business Administration. During the past 5 years, she has been working as a head teacher at Academia de Mi Abuela.
She enjoys interacting with children while encouraging their socio-emotional skills and developing their core values.
Jasmine Elizabeth Martin
Early Education Co-Head Teacher
My name is Jasmine Elizabeth Martin.
I am Chicana, born and raised in Oakland, CA – in the Fruitvale area. My family is originally from Hidalgo, Mexico and San Salvador, El Salvador. Currently, I am working to get my associates degree in child development, and transfer to a 4 year college to pursue my bachelors in Special Ed. Presently, I am taking Intro to Curriculum, Teaching Young Children and Statistics.
I love working at AMA because it feels like a small family with the maestras. We help each other grow and love working together to provide high quality early education for our students. I enjoy working in early education because seeing everyday milestones reached makes my job purposeful. My goal is to help your children become confident learners who embrace mistakes, think positively, and develop socially and emotionally.
Yanely Peiro
Early Education Co-Head Teacher
My name is Yanely Peiro, I am 22 years old and I was born in Tijuana, B.C., Mexico.
At 11, my family and I moved from Mexico to California, where I attended middle and high school in San Leandro. During my junior and senior years, I returned to Mexico to live with my grandmother, which delayed my high school graduation. After coming back to California, I worked for two years with children with disabilities before moving to Oklahoma City with my older sister, Michell. There, I sought similar work and eventually became a teacher’s assistant at a private school, Tony Reyes.
Missing my family, I returned to California, enrolled in Hayward Adult School, and completed my diploma. I now live in San Leandro with my family. In my free time, I enjoy walking my dog, practicing English, reading, dining out with friends, and traveling with my family.
I’m very excited to begin a new opportunity at Academia de Mi Abuela.
Yuliana Hernandez Urbano
Head Chef, Custodial Services, Teachers’ Assistant
Hola, mi nombre es Yuliana Hernandez Urbano, tengo 42 años y nací en el estado de Veracruz, México. Estoy casada y tengo dos hermosas hijas que son mi motivación. Desde los 18 años he vivido en Oakland, California. Actualmente estoy estudiando en el colegio Chabot College para avanzar en mi educación en el desarrollo de la primera infancia. Trabajo como asistente de maestra y chef en la Academia de Mi Abuela. El poder trabajar con niños es algo que siempre quise hacer porque me encantan los niños, me encanta cuidarlos, convivir con ellos y darles todo mi amor y cariño.
Hello, my name is Yuliana Hernandez Urbano, I am 42 years old, I was born in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. I am married and I have two beautiful daughters who are my motivation. I have lived in Oakland, California since I was 18 years old. In addition, I am currently studying at Chabot College to further my education in early childhood education.
I work as a teachers’ assistant and chef at Academia de Mi Abuela. I have always wanted to work with children because I strongly believe that providing love and support are key in any child’s early education.
Ashleen Montoya
High School Intern
