ECD Faculty and Staff

Full Time Faculty

Ana Gutierrez, Lab School Coordinator
agutierrez@chabotcollege.edu
Office 402G

My name is Ana Araceli Gutierrez. I am from Mexico and immigrated to the USA in 1996 after I got married. I am a mother of three unique boys.

Since 1993, I have taught adults, teenagers, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. I attained a BS in Chemistry and Biology in Mexico and a master degree in Leadership in Early Childhood Education from Mills College. I have worked at Chabot College since 2002 and became full-time faculty in 2018. I additionally also worked at the Hayward School District as a preschool teacher and as an independent ECD Coach/ Consultant.

Alice Hale
ahale@chabotcollege.edu

I entered the Early Childhood field after a long career in communications, health care information and non-profit administration. About 12 years ago I decided to change careers and after taking courses at Chabot College, began teaching at a private preschool. While teaching, I earned a Master's degree in Early Childhood Leadership from Bank Street College. After several years as a teacher, I worked as a professional development coordinator for Merritt College, as a CLASS observer, and then joined First 5 Alameda where I worked in the Quality Counts program as a Rater.

In addition to teaching ECD courses, I am the ECD program coordinator, and I am involved with developing our K-12 Teacher Pathway, and in the campus-wide Guided Pathways initiative. I am the mother of two and grandmother of one, and I love travel, music, theatre and cooking.

Hilal Ozdemir, ECD Faculty Coordinator
Phone: (510) 723-6685
hozdemir@chabotcollege.edu
Office: 402F

I was born into a family of educators who instilled in me a love of learning from a young age. Early on I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. I received my B.A./Teaching credential in ECD and education in 1986. I also received my M.A. in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College. I worked at Mission College in Santa Clara for nine years as an Early Childhood Development (ECD) Lab School specialist and faculty member. I joined the Chabot College Early Childhood Development department as a full time faculty member in 2004. I also worked as a director for three years. I enjoy teaching both children and adults and I teach a variety of different ECD courses. I am grateful to have a job that inspires me day to day. I believe that by working closely with my students, we can make a positive difference in the lives of young children and their families.

Classified Professional

Terra Lee
Professional Development Coordinator
Phone: 510-723-7284
Office: 402U

cc-ecdpdc@chabotcollege.edu

Terra L. Lee graduated from Foothill Community College, then San Francisco State University, she began her career as a news reporter. While at KRON4, she quickly realized her passion to teach was greater than her desire to be an Anchorwoman. She transitioned into the field of education and has joyfully served in the field for several years. For many of those years, she served as a kindergarten teacher and an Administrator in the Elementary setting; In addition, she had the honor of serving families as a Family Childcare provider. She also worked as an ECE Professional Development Coordinator with Ohlone College. As the ECD Career Navigator, she assists ECD students with academic advising and professional development. As a Bay Area native, she takes pride in serving the local community. She is a proud wife and mother of two sons. Cooking, traveling, singing & simply enjoying life are a few things that make her smile.

Part-Time Faculty

Carol Barton

Carol Barton brings nearly 30 years of rich and varied experience in Early Care and Education to her position of adjunct instructor at Chabot College. She is the past owner of a small child care center, where she started out as a parent/consumer.

She was also the Director of a Child Development Center for a school district which served families with children ages 18 months through 12 years in State and Head Start classrooms and included children with special needs.

Carol is the Coordinator of Early Childhood Education projects for a local County Office of Education that focus on quality improvement in a PreK-3 Initiative as well as programs in QRIS projects.

Carol enjoys and values young children, and believes that the best teachers are informed not only by their personal beliefs and disposition, but by ongoing research and education and guided practice.

Nelly Caloca, Spanish-speaking Cohort coordinator

Nelly has been adjunct faculty since 2001. She teaches Early Childhood Development courses specifically designed for Spanish speakers. In addition, Nelly is an Early Childhood Educator for Berkeley Unified School District where she designs, plans and implements age-appropriate bilingual curriculum that fosters appreciation for children and families' cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Nelly plays an active role in advocacy, education and parent involvement with a particular focus on Latino children, families and community. She has worked with various community organizations around issues in Early Childhood Education in symposiums, trainings and conferences.

Francesca Conterno
fconterno@chabotcollege.edu

I have had the pleasure of being a part of the Early Childhood Education Department team at Chabot College as a part-time instructor since 2011. In addition, I am a California Early Childhood Mentor Teacher for Hayward Unified School District’s state preschool program. I received my MS in Education from CSUEB. I am very passionate about teaching; both young children as well as college students. I find it very rewarding and gratifying to do both simultaneously, giving me the opportunity to share my experience and knowledge with our Early Childhood students as they navigate their way to becoming an educator. I always welcome college students into my preschool classroom for observation, completion of their practicum courses or to broaden their experiences.

Jennifer Cambra
jcambra@Chabotcollege.edu

Janice Fonteno
jfonteno@chabotcollege.edu

I’ve had the fulfilling experience of teaching part-time in the ECD Department for the past 19 years. One of my passions is working with students seeking to become an Early Childhood professional. It excitesme to see students meet and achieve their professional goals.

I have been in the EC profession for over 30 years and worked in a variety of positions, including Director of the Early Childhood Center on the campus of CSUEB. I also worked as an Early Childhood Professional Development Coordinator, both at Ohlone College and here at Chabot.

I look forward to meeting you and supporting your goals of becoming your best Early Childhood professional.

My joys include our 3 year old grandson and a granddaughter on the way. My interests include traveling, bike riding and volunteer work.

Mitchell Ha

My name is Mitchell Ha and I'm glad to be a part of Chabot College ECD Department as a part-time adjunct instructor since 2010.

I have been fortunate and blessed to be a parent of two wonderful boys. As a parent of two handsome young boys, I realized how important their early years were and the positive impact I had on their growth. I was fortunate to have been able to be a stay-at-home full time with the boys for several years to nurture them and watch them grow.

When my youngest started preschool, I joined Kidango and became Director of Ohlone Lab School in Fremont for 8 rewarding years and was amazed by the amount of love and passion I have for the field of Early Care and Education.

I am currently the Assistant Program Director at Hayward Unified School District Preschool Programs and thankful for the opportunity to work in a nurturing, loving environment where children can learn and experience new challenges that will help build their confidence while they play. I look forward to continued success and new discoveries with an amazing team of Professors at Chabot College.

Winnie Kong
wkong@Chabotcollege.edu

Lisa Long
llong@chabotcollege.edu

Hi my name is Lisa Long and I teach ECD 60 " Introduction to Young Children with Special Needs" each semester and occasionally ECD 91 "Adaptive Curriculum for Young Children with Special Needs". These are the only two Chabot classes I have been teaching for 10 years now.

I have worked for over thirty years with children and adults who have disabilities. I am currently a special education preschool teacher in San Leandro and just received my 20 year pin. I have been an early intervention teacher working with children from birth to 3 years of age with disabilities for over 12 years. I have a Master Special Education as well as 4 teaching credentials: mild to moderate, moderate to severe, multiple subject and a preschool special education certificate.

This specialization is my PASSION! I love sharing the unique and fulfilling experiences of children who strive so hard to go the extra mile because we trust and believe in each others' abilities and potential. I strongly believe that future Chabot students will find this same deep satisfaction in working with others who have disabilities, if they had more knowledge about disabilities and viewed all children as children FIRST and foremost. This will open the door wider for inclusion that all the world can benefit from.

Edna Rodriggs
erodriggs@chabotcollege.edu

“Teachers change the world one child at a time.” This quote means so much to me because I understand the impact that Early Childhood teachers have on the lives of the children they interact with every day. I have taught preschoolers, junior high, high school and college students for more than 40+ years and I have to say I have loved every minute of my career.

When I get to see my ECD work experience students working with children and see how they are making a difference every day, I know the world will be a better place. When a student says, “This assignment really helped me to reflect and question my values.” I know the world will be a better place. This is why I love teaching.

Kathleen Shields
kshields@chabotcollege.edu

I have worked in the field of early childhood education for over 25 years, working with children and their families from infants to school-age. I received my BA in Child Development/Early Childhood Education from SF State. I received my MA in Child and Adolescent Development from SJ State. I have lived in the Bay Area my entire life.

Besides taking care of my husband, I love gardening and working on craft projects. I have two boys, who are grown, and are currently serving their country in the Air Force. I appreciate the opportunity to share my knowledge and experiences with the students here at Chabot!

Veronica Ufoegbune
vufoegbune@chabotcollege.edu

A Nigerian American Educator who is currently the Executive Director of the UC Berkeley Early Education Programs. Adjunct Faculty at Chabot College and CSU East Bay, Instructor/Examiner-Berlitz Languages, on the Board of Directors of the United Nations Association-East-Bay, past Chair; Alameda County Early Care & Education Planning Council, past President, Anioma USA Tribal Inc.-National Chair of Anioma Tribal Youth Group. BA Degree-Nigeria, MA-Mills College-Oakland, Doctor of Education-Pepperdine University, Malibu-California in Educational Leadership, Administration and Policies.

Love quality family time with her 4 wonderful children and caring husband. Passionate about high quality early education, development and care through developmentally appropriate practice. Cares for positive change globally with some focus on Nigeria-support for Girls Education and the rights of girls, children, youth and women in Nigeria and the world.

Christie Verarde
cverarde@chabotcollege.edu

Christie Verarde holds an M.A. in Human Growth and Development from Pacific Oaks College. Prior to working with adults, Christie spent over 25 years as a preschool teacher working with 2, 3, 4 and 5 year old children. Besides her work as an Part-time Instructor here at Chabot, Mrs. Verarde is the Program Manager for the CA Early Childhood MeProgram.

Bernadette Pilar Zermeño
bzermeno@chabotcollege.edu

Bernadette Pilar Zermeño has over fifteen years of early education teaching in the Bay Area. She is passionate about facilitating lifelong learners beginning at the earliest age. Currently, she is the founding Transitional Kindergarten (TK) teacher at ASCEND, embodying her passion for hands-on, personal learning and whole child centered learning. She was one of the founding dual immersion Transitional Kindergarten teachers in Oakland.

She built and maintained solid relationships with families and students, creating and leading pivotal movements to support the communities.

Her passion and drive to supporting the earliest learners has also been taken outside of the walls of TK and into adult setting. She currently works also as a literacy specialist and Preschool and TK professional development provider. She is working on gaining an administration credential and an EdD in Early Childhood Leadership.

Bernadette Pilar has an unbridled passion for early education and developmentally appropriate practices. She is a member of Oakland Rising and Lead East Bay. She serves on the California Kindergarten Association Board of Directors. She is National Board Early Generalist Certified, holds a Master’s and multiple subject Spanish credential from the Education School at University of California, Berkeley, and a BA in Psychology.