5th Grade Teaching Team
 Nicole Alger 5th Grade Teacher |
Hello! I am excited to join the Mariposa 5th grade team this year. Although as a kid, I always wanted to be a teacher, it wasn't until my youngest kid was in elementary school that I finally began that journey. I started by being a substitute teacher in 2018, working primarily in elementary school grades. What finally inspired me to go back to school and get my teaching credential was when I was a long term substitute for a 7th grade English class during distance learning in 2021. Not many people would say that both middle school students AND teaching on Zoom are motivation to finally go back to school and get that teaching credential, but they were for me!
I decided to get my multiple subject teaching credential because I really enjoy teaching the elementary school age, especially upper elementary school. I love building upon the students' prior knowledge and helping them discover and develop their likes and passions. As a former elementary school book-worm and a literature major in college, reading and writing is my favorite subject to teach, but I also love working with students to understand those trickier math concepts that they are learning-- yes, I even like teaching fractions and long division! Besides working as a substitute teacher in Belmont Redwood Shores School District, I did my student teaching in San Mateo and spent my first year solo teaching in Redwood City.
I've lived in the San Francisco Bay Area nearly all my life. I grew up in Millbrae and moved back to the area soon after finishing college at UC Santa Cruz. I live in Belmont with my husband, three children and cute-but-crazy dog, Poppy. I still love to read and write, though you will often catch me knitting or spinning yarn in my free time! I love to go on hikes with my family and friends, and I also love all things Disney.
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 Kathryn Hutchinson 5th Grade Teacher |
I am excited to be back for my second year teaching 5th grade at Mariposa! This will be my 11th 12th year as a teacher. I spent the past 10 years teaching 4th and 6th grades in Milpitas. Before coming to Mariposa, I spent 10 years teaching 4th and 6th grades in Milpitas. I have a background in music, and I taught chorus to 3rd-6th graders as an extracurricular for 7 years as well. I really fell in love with teaching upper elementary while I was student teaching; I had a great experience with working with a 5th grade class, so I'm excited to be returning to work with 5th graders once again! and now having taught 4th, 5th, and 6th grades, I know I've found my sweet spot!
I love working with upper elementary grades - at this age, students are discovering who they are and finding their place in the world as learners and leaders. I enjoy seeing students think originally, work with complex content, and develop confidence in their unique abilities. I'm originally from Southern California but have been in the Bay Area since I got my Master's degree and teaching credential from Santa Clara University in 2012. My husband and I currently live in San Mateo with our 1 2.5-year-old daughter, Nora, and our friendly goldendoodle, Tessa. I'm looking forward to a great year ahead! |
 Brianna Nelson
5th Grade Teacher |
I am so excited for another year at Mariposa! I love working with upper elementary students because they are becoming interested in the world around them, while also discovering things they really feel passionate about. They are also funny, curious, and willing to work hard, which makes them delightful students to teach! In the past, I spent years teaching 5th and 6th grade students at an Outdoor School in Saratoga. One of my absolute favorite things about teaching this age is a shared curiosity and love of exploring our world. When I am not teaching, I love to be outside! I enjoy backpacking and hiking, and during past summers I led groups of teenagers on trips to wild places all over California. I am also an avid reader and I love talking about books! Other hobbies include gardening, baking, painting, walking my dogs, traveling, running, yoga, and kayaking. I am looking forward to a great year! |
 Gloria Nguyen
5th Grade Teacher |
I am looking forward to another wonderful year at Mariposa! I am excited to get to know my students and their interests and support them in developing their skills and discovering their passions. I look forward to meeting all the families as well! I enjoy working with upper elementary students because they’re at the age where they’re discovering their hobbies and are very inquisitive. It’s fun following the students as they tackle complex concepts and watching them learn from them. Before I became a teacher, I worked as an Assistant Director and After School Leader for the YMCA for 5 years. This program was where I discovered my love and passion for teaching and working with kids. I am a San Jose native, born and raised. I am currently living in Daly City, but I do my best to visit my family as often as I can. My family and friends are a huge part of my life and I try to keep in contact with everyone regularly! I am a cat mama and love to spend time petting and playing with my cat, Teemo. I am a huge fan of Studio Ghibli movies, anime, reading mystery/thriller novels, and the Percy Jackson series. I have also been to Japan twice, once in 2017 and again in 2018. I hope to get an opportunity to go back again during cherry blossom season! |
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Yi Quan 5th Grade Teacher |
I am thrilled to join the Mariposa community! After graduating from San Francisco State University earlier this year with a multiple subject teaching credential, I am excited to continue my teaching journey. My career path is quite unique; before transitioning into education, I spent over a decade as a biomedical scientist. Five years ago, I discovered my passion for teaching while working in elementary schools, and I’ve been devoted to it ever since. I cherish the opportunity to build relationships with students and support their growth, and in turn, this role helps me evolve into a better version of myself.
I’ve had the privilege of student teaching in both second and fifth grades. Students in fifth grade have their own interests and challenges, and I am particularly excited to guide and support them through their final year of elementary school. My aim is to prepare them for middle school as independent thinkers and resilient problem solvers.
Originally from China, I moved to the United States in 2007 and have lived in Menlo Park for the past nine years. My family includes my husband and our two children: Andrew, who is an eighth grader at Hillview Middle School, and Alice, a fourth grader at Encinal Elementary School. Outside the classroom, I enjoy baking, hiking, skiing, and spending time outdoors. I also love reading with my kids and traveling with my family. I can’t wait to become part of the Mariposa community and I look forward to meeting my students and their families.
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 Melissa Juliano Education Specialist
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I have been a teacher for 30 years. I started my career path as a special education para educator for the San Mateo County Office of Education after I graduated from SDSU. From there, I went on to get my multiple subject teaching credential at the College of Notre Dame (which is now Notre Dame de Namur University) in Belmont. I went on to get my Specialist Credential in Special Education at San Jose State University. My first teaching job was with the San Mateo County Office of Education teaching special education until I moved over to the San Carlos School District in 2004. I have worked with grades preschool-5th grade. I continue to love what I do and could not imagine doing anything else. I truly enjoy helping students grow as learners and helping them to become the best that they can be. I enjoy working as an education specialist because I feel that I get the best of both worlds: being able to work in the general education environment as well as in a smaller group setting in the learning center.
Although there are so many things about both fourth and fifth grade, I have to say that the week that we get to spend at Outdoor Ed is by far the most memorable experience.
I am a native of San Carlos. I went to Arundel, Brittan Acres, Central and Carlmont High School. I live here in San Carlos with my family. I have 3 boys who constantly keep me on my toes! Although I love my job and my family, I look forward to my yearly girls’ weekends wherever they may take me!
I am so excited for another year with 4th and 5th graders back on campus. We have an amazing staff and I am so excited to work together collaboratively to help our students grow as learners and love Mariposa as much as we do! |