Our Team
Danielle Oland
Director
Early childhood education is Danielle’s passion! She loves watching children discover the world, ask questions, gain independence, learn empathy, respect and confidence. She has been an early childhood educator since 2003, specializing in the Montessori Method since 2006 with a credential at the Early Childhood (Primary) level. She believes that the Montessori Method can be adapted to modern times and an emergent curriculum, and loves the ideal learning environment that it creates! She moved from her hometown of Pacifica to Sonoma County in 1999 to attend Sonoma State, receiving a B.A. in Psychology. She loves our relaxed natural community, and brings that feeling of warmth into her classroom and homelife. Danielle lives with her husband and two daughters, and finds peace being outside with trees, nature and sunshine.
Amy Solis
Lead Infant Teacher
Amy has been working in child care for over 30 years. Her primary area of focus is in early childhood development. She received a BA in Art History in 1999. In 2017, she earned an Early Education Site Supervisor Permit. Her teaching background includes training and experience in Reggio Emilia, Waldorf and Montessori. A native of Marin County, Amy grew up with a deep love for nature and animals. She currently lives in Tomales, CA with her husband and their adorable dog, Enzo. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, reading, walks on the beach, hosting friends, and spending time with family.
In 2021, Amy joined Rainbow Bridge Montessori following a move from San Francisco where she taught Pre-K at Calvary Nursery school in Pacific Heights. She is currently Lead Teacher in our infant classroom, the Nido, for children age 4 to 18 months. “The first years of a child’s life are crucial. Positive early experiences and trusting relationships with their guides will impact the rest of their lives. It’s an honor to guide them and help instill a strong sense of self and independence here at Rainbow Bridge.”
Brittany Bryan
Lead Toddler Teacher
Brittany received her early childhood credentials from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and student taught at multiple elementary schools in San Antonio and Austin. After Brittany’s husband returned from his deployment, she took some time off to welcome a beautiful baby girl and move to Sonoma County. Brittany enrolled her daughter in a Montessori school and fell in love with the method. She refreshed her teacher training through UCLA Extension courses, and began teaching at a Montessori school for more than five years before joining Rainbow Bridge. Brittany has a true passion for teaching and continuing to learn herself. She has worked under two master Montessori teacher mentors, and continues to pursue training and education in Montessori teaching. In her free time she loves being with her family, walking along the beach, or hiking! Her family especially likes to take mini adventures and explore nature together!
Casey Ditzhazy
Primary Assistant Teacher
Casey is the Assistant Teacher in the Primary classroom. She received her B.A. from Sonoma State University in Early Childhood Studies in 2021, but discovered her love for working with young children in 2015 while volunteering at a summer camp in San Diego, California. This is where she learned the value of play in a young child’s social, emotional, and physical development. She believes that children learn best through play, and is always trying to bring light and laughter to the classroom. In her off-hours, Casey enjoys spending time with friends and being in nature.
Charo Banzon
Toddlers-in-Transition Teacher
Charo began her journey teaching at an elementary and high school in the Philippines for over 15 years. She has a B.A. in Music Education and Masters Degree in Educational Management. She shifted her career focus to early child education and received her Child Development Supervisor Certificate from Alberta Child and Youth Services (Canada), and taught in Montessori toddler and preschool-age programs in Canada. After moving to the US, she continued to work with preschool-age children as a Lead Teacher before joining Rainbow Bridge Montessori. One thing she loves most about teaching is helping children develop holistically in a nurturing environment as she prepares them for the road ahead. Charo loves spending time playing music with he family band. She is happily married and blessed with two beautiful and talented daughters. She also loves long drive trips and watching movies with her family.
Debbie Dickerson
Lead Toddlers-in-Transition Teacher
Debbie has been a member of the Rainbow Bridge community as a teacher and parent beginning in 1999. As a teacher, one of Debbie’s favorite things is seeing the excitement in each child as they make new discoveries. Debbie is pursuing a Montessori teaching credential at the Early Childhood (Primary) level. She has two sons with whom she shares a love spending time outdoors and 360 Sprint Car and Outlaw Kart racing.
Eris Moreno
Primary Teacher
Eris has been working with children for almost twenty years and has a background in multicultural and nature education. She spent several years teaching English to Spanish-speaking children in Mexico and here in the Bay Area. She has also taught at diverse local organizations that focus on outdoor science education and rich play experiences in the natural world. Since earning her AMI Montessori Primary credential (ages 2-6), she has dedicated herself to working with the Montessori Method. She believes that each child should be free to follow their own interests and passions and that the most important work a child can do is to create themselves into kind, confident, and creative beings. Eris spends much of her free time with family and exploring the natural world.
Isabella Bankmann
Primary Teacher's Aide
Isabella returned home to Sonoma County after attending University of California Santa Barbara for a major in Political Science, and decided to pursue her passion for working with young children. She feels very lucky to have found Rainbow Bridge Montessori, and to join such a welcoming and loving team! Isabella teaches in the Primary, Toddlers-in-Transition and After-school Enrichment programs. She appreciates the individuality and personality of each child she meets and feels very blessed to get the opportunity to get to know each and every one of them!
Lois Engelsgaard
Toddlers-in-Transition Teacher
Lois has been teaching for nearly 20 years, and is a permitted Infant and Toddler Teacher. She obtained her Teacher Certificate from Santa Rosa Junior College and a Child Development Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Lois feels blessed to be part of the Toddler Program at Rainbow Bridge. She lives in rural Penngrove with her beloved thirteen year old dog, D.J., who is the love of her life! In her free time, she likes to spend time outdoors with her dog. She is an avid reader and home gardener, while still making time for her parents.
Stephanie Rodriguez
Arts & Enrichment Teacher
Stephanie is an Arts and Enrichment teacher at Rainbow Bridge. Stephanie holds an A.A. in Child Development and Social & Behavioral Sciences from Santa Rosa Junior College. She comes from a family who loves to draw, and is a gifted cartoon, portrait, and sketch artist. She brings this love to the classroom, and is thrilled when children create and express themselves through their artwork. She can’t wait to create new projects with Rainbow Bridge's students!
