Our Team

Ms. Thompson has been working with children close to 25 years. She has her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with Multiple Subject Credentialing. Ms. Thompson loves working at the school because the staff and learning environment create a unique experience that feels like part of a “home!”

Ms. Mathiasen is the mentor of mentors here at Sagebrush. For over 20 years, she has encouraged teachers to be curious about children’s inner worlds and inspires them to find creative ways to meet each child’s individual needs. She holds a Mentor Teacher Certification from the California Department of Education and has over 40 years of experience working with children. Ms. Mathiasen loves to explore alongside the children and considers the staff her second family.

Ms. Arriaga relocated from the Bay Area to attend San Diego State University. She completed her associate degree in Early Childhood Education and is in her final year of earning her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies & Elementary Education. Ms. Arriaga is a great sport and navigates the ever-changing world of our Monarch class with playful enthusiasm!

Ms. Rodriguez’s credentials include early education both in the United States and abroad in Scotland and Indonesia; her associate’s degree is in Early Childhood Development. For almost 15 years, she was the director of an early enrichment center here in San Diego. When she came to Sagebrush she did so to return to being in the classroom and being hands-on with children’s learning experiences.

Ellie “Ms. G” Gonsalves has been with the school since 2016 in multiple classrooms. Ms. G has a passion for all creatures big and small! She brings past experience working at an exotic animal shelter to Sagebrush and encourages children to be curious about the living things in the world around them. Ms. G loves that every day brings something new to learn and cares deeply about her work nurturing the next generation.

Erin Milligan has been teaching at the center since 2006 and is now working with her 18th cohort of two-year-olds. Both of Erin’s daughters are proud alumni of the school; her oldest daughter is now on the list of substitutes so families may see her around in the near future! Ms. Milligan is enthusiastic about all things dirty, messy and muddy!

Ms. O’Keefe is one of the founding members of the school and has over 35 years of experience in the field. Ms. O’Keefe has an associate degree in Child Development and Business, so her ability to optimize, organize and plan ahead support the overall smooth functioning of the school! Leslie loves the sense of community and support that she feels from Sagebrush staff and families.

Ms. Case is one of the founding teachers; her legacy with the school goes back to 1998! She has a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Development and both of her college-age sons are proud alumni of this school. She feels strongly that the early education they received here gave them strong wings to fly!

Ms. Hernandez has her bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies & Elementary Education and has been working with children since 2016. Ms. Hernandez supported a Montessori-inspired Spanish immersion classroom for about two years and brings creative new ways to encourage language development to young children.

Ms. Casillas has been with the center since 2011 and has her associate degree in early childhood education. As one of the three bilingual teachers at the center, Ms. Casillas integrates aspects of the Spanish language into her curriculum through singing songs, telling stories and dancing to music.

Sara “Pro” Prough has been with the center since 2004. She is in her element with the pre-kindergarten classroom and visually appealing, developmentally-appropriate activities are her expertise! If you see anything on our Instagram, it’s probably something she created! Ms. Pro loves contributing to kindergarten readiness and being able to watch the children spread their wings as she sends them off to the next chapter of their education.

Ms. B has been with the center since 2012 and working with children for over 20 years. She has her bachelor’s degree in Child Development and her associate’s in Photography, which means she takes great action shots of messy play! Ms. B loves that she gets to be such an important part of children’s young lives by helping them to grow up to be happy, successful adults!

Ms. F has her associates degree in Child Development and has been working exclusively with two-year-olds for almost 30 years. She loves being part of children’s first experience in the world outside their home and enjoys watching her students grow over the years after they “graduate” from her class!

Ms. Snyder has been working with children for almost four years in a variety of environments, including as a nanny and dance instructor. Ms. Snyder is currently working towards her Bachelors in Math Education. Ms. Snyder loves being able to see the lightbulb come on when a child connects the dots on a new concept!

Ms. Rasco started at the school as a Patrick Henry intern. She has since graduated and is working towards her Bachelors in Child Development. Ms. Rasco is consistently curious about the “why” behind children’s actions and always looks for the bigger picture to determine the best way to support each child individually.