Broadway’s teachers come from many backgrounds, each with a wealth of experience and a passion for Early Childhood Education. Our dedicated team is committed to fostering a supportive community where children, families, and teachers thrive as they come together to learn and grow.
Diana Davis
DirectorDiana has been at Broadway Children’s School since 2008. For the first eight years at BCSO she was a teacher in both Rainbow and Sunshine programs, then took on the additional role of site supervisor in 2016. Diana became the School Director in 2018.
Prior to and during her time teaching at Broadway, Diana worked for a family taking care of their two boys from infancy into their teens. She was also employed shortly out of college at a center where she supported and taught severely emotionally challenged children in a school which focused on social emotional growth.
Diana holds a BA in German from Fordham University and is continuing her studies in the field of Early Childhood Education Administration at Merritt College.
Diana feels it is a privilege to be with children and their families during the early years of coming together in a learning community. She has a passion for teaching and modeling kindness to the children in hopes that this will have a ripple effect as they move throughout their communities. Diana is expanding her horizons by adhering to a Growth Mindset philosophy of learning.
Jennifer McManus
Assistant Director / Teacher, PACT
Jessie Kael
Business Manager / Teacher, M/W/F Sunshine Room and PACTJessie came to Broadway as a parent in 2015. She served in a variety of volunteer capacities including Board Chair during the time that each of her three children were enrolled at Broadway. She joined the staff as the Business Manager in July of 2020 and began teaching the following year. Jessie has always been inspired by Broadway’s teaching philosophy and core values, as well as by the supportive, collaborative community of teachers, families, board members, and leaders.
Jessie has a BA from UC Berkeley in American Studies with an emphasis in Education and Social Change, and she has worked in the field of education since 2007. Working alongside Broadway teachers ignited a new passion for early childhood and parent education, so Jessie returned to school to fulfill the requirements for a Child Development teaching permit. She enjoys the balance of classroom and admin work. Jessie especially loves digging in the dirt and reading stories, both at Broadway and with her own children at home.
Mari Dávalos
Teacher, M-F Sunshine RoomMari is from Quito, Ecuador, and has been involved in early childhood education since her three children (now 14, 18, and 19!) started preschool. She realized during this period that working with young children is her true vocation and has been teaching in preschool environments since 2000. She has experience with play-based models, Montessori methods, and academic programs, as well a Spanish-immersion preschool. Her teaching philosophy is an amalgam of the best elements of these approaches. She finds great joy in being with young children, listening to their feelings and ideas, and sharing encouragement and guidance.
Mari believes that working at Broadway Children’s School is an ideal opportunity for her, as she believes a play-based experience makes for the best preschool environment, and she can also have a chance to introduce children to her native language.
Natalie Deremiah
Teacher: M/W/F Rainbow Room and Tu/Th Sunshine RoomNatalie received a B.S. in Child Development with a minor in Psychology from California Polytechnic State University. The “learn by doing” motto on campus allowed her to apply what she was learning in a real life setting. At Cal Poly she worked in the Preschool Lab on campus and fell in love with teaching little ones. She has attained a Site Supervisor credential from the State of California.
Natalie understands the importance of nurturing and teaching young children skills that they will carry forward in life. She is excited to work with children and watch them learn and grow in the classroom. Natalie strongly believes in Broadway’s play-based philosophy and loves to expand on children’s interests in the classroom. She is passionate about yoga movement and speaking positive affirmations. Natalie likes bringing these ideas into the classroom whenever possible.
Issere Grier-Christopher
Teacher, M/W/F Rainbow Room
Kate Deaton-Gupta
Teacher, M/W/F Rainbow Room 