Our Teachers
Kristi Calcagno, Director and 3-Day Teacher
Teacher Kristi has been teaching the 3-day class at Open Gate Nursery School since 2003 and became Open Gate’s director in 2006. One of Teacher Kristi’s favorite things about teaching this age group is introducing the 3 year olds and their mommies and daddies in her class to the wonder and excitement of Small Groups. These structured lessons are some of a child’s first experiences sitting with a small group of his or her friends and engaging in curriculum taught by Teacher Kristi and the working parents in fine motor, large motor, language and literacy, science, mathematics and social interactions.
Teacher Kristi has a BS from Colorado State University in Human Development and Family Studies, an Elementary Education credential, a Montessori 6-12 year old credential, and an Adult Education Credential. Prior to coming to Open Gate, she taught preschool and Kindergarten in Colorado, and eight years of upper Elementary Montessori education in Napa and Berkeley.
Lori Longo, 2-Day Teacher
Teacher Lori has been our 2-day teacher since 1989. She enjoys helping the youngest Open Gators feel comfortable separating from their parents, and building trust with the parents that they can leave their young child at school for the morning. Teacher Lori finds it rewarding to teach parents about discipline, communication, the value or play and child development during “night class” because the parents will use what they learn for many years with their children.
Teacher Lori has a Master’s Degree in Child Development from Michigan State University and a California Credential in Adult Education. She has worked as a Director and 3-day teacher, a Gymboree teacher and a parent educator. Teacher Lori lives with her husband, Vito, in Redwood City. She has twin daughters, Jessica and Lyndsey, and a son, Colby, and 3 grandchildren.
Andrea Travisano, Pre-K Teacher
Teacher Andrea is the Pre-K teacher. She has been teaching here at Open Gate since 2007. Before coming to our school, Teacher Andrea worked for 12 years as a behavior specialist and play therapist in a private practice. She worked extensively with children with social difficulties from ages 2 through 6. She also spent many years facilitating play programs in elementary schools in the area. Her specialization has been kindergarten readiness where she focuses on each child’s whole development as he or she prepares to launch from preschool to elementary school.
Teacher Andrea received her MA in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Child psychotherapy. She also holds an Adult Teaching Credential. She is currently studying American Sign Language and Yoga for Kids. Teacher Andrea and her husband, Philip, reside in San Mateo. They along with their son (when he’s home from college) enjoy cooking, hiking, running, pizza and beach days.
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“The teachers are amazing and each is so well suited for her particular age group. They really complement each other and work well as a team to transition both children and parents into and through the program and prepare them for the bigger world of kindergarten and elementary school.”
-Pre-K parent
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