The Administrative Director assumes full responsibility for the total program of Mandala Children’s House.
Our Classroom Administrator, Childcare Program Manager, Office Manager, and Bookkeeper work closely with the Administrative Director. Our LCSW Clinical Consultant and our Founder-Consultant offer additional guidance and support.
APARNA VEERARAGHAVAN
Preschool Director
Montessori Certified
Email: aparna@mandalachildrenshouse.com
Aparna is our beloved Preschool teacher and Classroom administrator. She teaches in the Preschool class, oversees the daily running of the classrooms, and collaborates with the Executive Team. Aparna is a highly experienced and gifted teacher who grew to be Lead Teacher in the Preschool, which then evolved into her current Preschool Director role. Aparna first came to us as a parent volunteer in 2001 and soon became a teacher. We knew she was a perfect “Mandala fit” because of her thoughtful, gentle teaching style. Although she had to move out of the area for a short time, she returned to rejoin the Mandala family in the fall of 2009. Aparna has a quiet confidence and a warm, accepting style. Her special gift is teaching Montessori. She is committed to helping each child learn, no matter the challenge. As a Mentor Teacher, Aparna also supervises mentees from local community colleges doing their practicum at our school. She has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Mount Carmel College in Bangalore, India, completed her ECE classes at SJCC, and obtained her Montessori Certificate. Aparna speaks Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, and Kannada, as well as English. Aparna has two beautiful girls, one headed off to the University of Washington and another working in a prestigious program in Boston.
TABATHA OSBORN WOODS
Assistant Preschool Director
Montessori Certified
Email: tabatha@mandalachildrenshouse.com
Tabatha teaches in both the Early Preschool and Preschool classrooms. She is another highly skilled teacher who has been with us for a long time. Tabatha started at Mandala as a student teacher from SJ City College. We were all impressed with her natural ability with children, and by the fall of 2010 she was able to join our staff permanently. Tabatha comes with a maturity beyond her years. She has developed a particular expertise in understanding both typical and atypical development in young children. Tabatha has mastered balancing playfulness with giving children the structure they need. She has a special way of engaging in floor play with the younger children and entering into creative play with the older ones. They love her energy and her exuberance. Tabatha continually takes on more responsibility and more learning. She completed her AS Degree in Early Childhood Education, obtained her Montessori Certificate, and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development in 2015. She also pursued more education in Montessori with Infants/Toddlers and the early education of English Language Learners. Tabatha has also worked as an Early Interventionist, and a particular area of interest for her is mental health with young children and children with special needs. Tabatha is married and has a Mandala preschooler, Noelle!
MARY MCDONALD
Child Care Program Manager
Child Care Referral and State-funded Child Care Program
(408) 251-8633
Email: mary@mandalachildrenshouse.com
Mary works in the office as our Child Care Program Manager. She is responsible for overseeing our child care program for low-income families. She enrolls families, supervises family child care homes, assesses children in the homes, and rates home environments. Mary also supports the upkeep of our facilities. Mary started at Mandala as a substitute teacher and became a part of our permanent teaching staff in January 1996. She worked for many years teaching in the Preschool. After returning to school for her Bachelor’s degree, she was interested in taking on more administrative duties. She transitioned to the office in 2013 and assumed full responsibility for overseeing our state-funded Child Care Program. Before coming to Mandala, Mary taught at Evergreen Community Center. Mary received her B.A. in Early Child Education from National University. She has two grown children–the oldest went to Mandala and the youngest volunteered here. Mary brings optimism and “sunshine” to the school. She is well organized and efficient. Mary is bi-lingual and speaks Spanish, as well as English. Mary is now enjoying the delights of being a grandmother of five.
CAROL LANGSTON
Bookkeeper
Payments, Billing, and Accounts
(408) 251-8633
Email: carol@mandalachildrenshouse.com
Carol was pleased to join Mandala in the summer of 2024. She is in the office daily to handle all the financial needs of parents and the school programs. She also provides additional HR and office support. Carol has had many years of office and administrative experience, and more recently has turned her focus toward the financial aspects. Before joining Mandala, she worked many years managing the office and the money at a successful printing company. Ever curious and eager to learn, Carol has a varied background, having a B.A. in German and an A.S. in Interior Design. After completing the Design program, she continued
on by studying Green Design for a while, and supported professional organizations with social media content. Carol feels fortunate to have been a stay-at-home Mom for 9 years, raising two children, who are now college-aged and still studying. She looks back fondly on the time spent together with her children at a play-based, parent co-operative preschool, and volunteering in their Elementary School as a literature docent. In her free time, Carol has a passion for music and is often dreaming about the next time she can go traveling. While at home she tries to stay active by walking and hiking.
JANINE CRAWFORD
Office Manager
Office Administration and Facilities
(408) 251-8633
Email: janine@mandalachildrenshouse.com
Janine spent many years teaching in the Preschool classrooms, and although she recently joined our office staff, she can often still be found in the classrooms supporting our teachers. Janine joined our staff in the fall of 2015, but has been part of the Mandala family for years. Janine was first introduced to us in 2001 when she brought her children to school at Mandala, so it feels like she has been with us forever. Janine graduated from San Jose State University with a BA in Child Development and a minor in Deaf Education, and has also obtained her Montessori Certification after coming to Mandala. Janine worked for over 15 years in management and then stayed home to raise her children. She was a substitute Teacher’s Aide for seven years at a local private school. Janine loves being an integral part of Mandala. We appreciate not only her organizational skills, but also her engaging and playful spirit and her natural gift with young children. Janine says she feels Mandala is “such a special place, not only for the children but for the parents as well. It truly is a loving and enriching environment.” Janine’s children are nearly grown now; her daughter graduated from UC Davis, and her son from Gonzaga University. In her free time, Janine loves to garden and has done coursework in horticulture and landscape design. She loves to plant with the preschoolers and offers Mandala her valued gardening expertise.
ANNE KANGAS, L.C.S.W.
Clinical Consultant | Former Family Services Director | Board Member
Administrative and Child & Family Resource Support
(408) 251-8633
Email: anne@mandalachildrenshouse.com
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Anne provides weekly clinical consultation and administrative support to the Management Team and is available by referral to meet with families for consultation. Anne retired in August 2018 from her position as Head of School/Director of Family Services at Mandala. She worked alongside Julie and Atty for several years, preparing them to take over the leadership and management of Mandala. Anne assisted in the creation of Mandala in 1975 with founders Marilyn Drino and Linda H. She originally served on the Board and gave administrative support and mental health consultation to the school. In November 1990, when the need for support services at Mandala was recognized, Anne was hired as Family Services Director to assist with early intervention and offer guidance to families, teachers, and childcare providers about parenting and child development. She also assumed the role of Head of School for several years until the current Executive Team could step into place. Anne has three grown children who are all Mandala graduates. Anne specializes in parenting, child development, early trauma, and family challenges. She also has a private psychotherapy and spiritual direction practice.
MARILYN DRINO
Consultant | Founder & Retired Administrative Director | Board Member
Administrative Consultation and Guidance
Email: mdrino@yahoo.com
In September 2010, after 35 years of gifted leadership at Mandala, Marilyn made the difficult decision to retire to spend more time with her family. We carry her spirit with us. Marilyn has left a legacy that is lived out in the very workings of Mandala, from classroom to staff room. We call Marilyn the “founding mother” of Mandala. In 1975, she created the plans and philosophy for a preschool and satellite licensed family day care network. It was Marilyn’s vision to establish a preschool in the East foothills of San Jose that fit the diversity of the area. At first, Marilyn taught in the mornings and was the Assistant Director in charge of curriculum and classrooms. Later, she stepped into the role of Administrative Director in 1984. Marilyn was known as the “glue” that held Mandala together. In her last several years, she mentored others on the administrative staff so that she could “hand over the reins” with confidence. Marilyn continues to play an important role at Mandala by supporting the Executive Team as our Administrative Consultant and serving as a Board Member. She remains a most valuable resource to us all as the holder of our legacy and history.
Mandala Mission: “Nurture the child. Support the family. Nourish the staff.”