Maria graduated from San Jose State University with a major in Child and Adolescent Development and has worked in the early childhood education field for more than five years. She is currently the Master Teacher in the 2-3-year-old program as well as Preschool Coordinator for Learning Links in Burlingame. Maria has a passion for providing positive and meaningful relationships and experiences for the children and families she serves. She believes in a play-based philosophy for learning, inclusion for everyone in all abilities, and focusing on the development of the whole child. Her favorite things to teach in the classroom is curriculum around sensory exploration. She also loves discovering fun and new play strategies to encourage age appropriate development.