Teachers at UMC Preschool – Burlingame

LEAD TEACHER
Toddlers

Erica Drabik has been a member of the UMC community for a number of years, serving as a board member and as a co-op parent for both of her children. She began lead teaching the Toddler class on Monday and Wednesday at UMC in 2021. Erica has a wealth of experience in children’s programs as a teacher and a director.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University-Fullerton, and holds a Site Supervisor permit.

Outside of serving as an educator, Erica enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and leading an active lifestyle.

As a teacher, Erica enjoys getting to know each child individually and helping them grow into the best version of themselves. She instills confidence and pride, all while guiding them in a fun and nurturing way. Erica believes every day is a chance to explore and learn together.

TEACHER’S AIDE
Toddlers

Nicole, a proud resident of Burlingame, has always cherished her connection with this amazing community. Since childhood, Nicole always knew she wanted to work with children.

She embarked on her teaching journey at a nearby preschool, where she used her skills and nurtured young minds. Later, Nicole ventured into opening a thriving Family daycare that brought joy to many families for several years. Although she took a break from teaching to raise her two children, her deep love for education called her back.

Nicole began substitute teaching as a TK assistant through the Burlingame School District. This experience further fueled her desire to make a positive impact on young lives. Now, she is thrilled to embark on a new adventure as a Teacher’s aide in the toddler class at UMC preschool.

When Nicole isn’t in the classroom, she cherishes quality time with her family. You can usually find her volunteering for lunch at the local elementary school, enjoying family walks and tending to her garden.

Her enthusiasm for nurturing children’s growth and development is contagious and she can’t wait to watch the children thrive and flourish at UMC preschool.

LEAD TEACHER
Preschool (2023-24 school year)
Mixed Age (2024-25 school year)

Teacher Camille utilizes her education in child development and her experience as a mother to teach students and support parents. Teacher Camille appreciates the many gifts each child brings into the classroom. She harnesses their interests and excitement to support and/or guide the curriculum, while always finding a way to incorporate the necessary foundations of academics.

She believes strongly in building Social, Emotional and Sensory Development before entry into elementary school and utilizes each day to work towards mastery.

Teacher Camille is 5th generation in Burlingame and believes it takes a village when raising children. She is proud to help connect families and create forever lasting memories in these early years of education. When not at school, Teacher Camille loves gardening, reading and cooking.

TEACHER’S AIDE
Preschool (2023-24 school year)
Mixed Age (2024-25 school year)

Teacher Poornima is very excited to be back in the workforce and to be working at UMC. Before taking time to raise her two kids, 12 and 10 yr olds, she was working at Stanford University’s Center for Infant Studies. She helped with research that looked at infant and child language development. Prior to that, Teacher Poornima worked in both preschool and elementary school settings with kids with learning and developmental disabilities

Teacher Poornima loves being part of the Burlingame community. She wears multiple volunteer hats with the Burlingame schools. She enjoys spending time with her family and planning the next holiday. She helps out in the Preschool M/W/F class. Her absolute favorite is to read picture books to toddler/preschool kids. She continues to read picture books to her tween kids even now. :-)

LEAD TEACHER
Pre-K (2023-24 school year)
Mixed Age (2024-25 school year)

Jen holds a BA in Liberal Arts with a major in English Literature and Business Administration. After 15+ years spent between advertising agencies and corporate marketing departments, she decided to accumulate her ECE credits during a self-imposed sabbatical. In the fall of 2021, she began her teaching career at UMC as a Teacher's Aide for the Mixed Age classroom but has prior co-op preschool experience (as a parent).

Mother of three and an alumna parent of the toddler program, in between parenting and pursuing her yoga certification, you can usually find Jen volunteering at her childrens' schools and sports teams or teaching at a local Burlingame barre studio.

Jen appreciates being in a position to help children stay children as long as they can through play, discovery, learning how to problem solve and find their groove before embarking to elementary school.

TEACHER’S AIDE
Pre-K (2023-24 school year)
Mixed Age (2024-25 school year)

Maggie is an educator with a strong foundation in psychology and teaching. Armed with a Master's degree and over a decade of experience as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, she has dedicated herself to working with children with autism. Her exposure as an English teacher in Hong Kong further enriched her perspective, while her involvement as a substitute teacher and cooperative parent at her children's school showcased her commitment to education.

Outside of her professional roles, Maggie finds joy in activities like yoga, running, and quality time with her family. Her passion for learning extends beyond the classroom as she volunteers at her children's school and engages in creative pursuits like crafting and reading.

Within the UMC community, Maggie's journey began as a co-op parent, led her to obtain ECE credits, and culminated in her role as a nurturing teacher who instills confidence, pride, and a love for exploration in her students.

TEACHER’S AIDE
Floater between all classes

Jodie has been part of the staff at UMC as a Teacher’s Aide since 2018. She fell in love with the school when her middle child started in the Preschool program, and it sparked her journey from Co-oping, to subbing, to being a Teacher’s Aide. Her third child is currently in the program and loving it!

Jodie enjoys exploring the outdoors, hiking in redwoods, hanging out at the beach, and spending time with family and friends.

UMC DIRECTOR
& LEAD TEACHER
Toddlers (Friday class only)

Vikki holds a BA in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Sociology as well as Early Childhood Educational units at the Site Supervisory level. Vikki has been a part of UMC Preschool since 2005, as a co-op parent, as well as beginning her teaching career as an aide. Subsequently, in 2010, Vikki became Lead Teacher in the Preschool Class, Co-Director in 2016, and Director in 2022.

Outside of UMC, Vikki enjoys spending time with her family, reading, gardening and staying connected with friends and relatives. Vikki’s personal goals include learning something new every day, and making each day count.

“My enjoyment of teaching is found in the simple exchange of a thoughtful gesture, of words innocently spoken and the creativity of an idea made solely by a child. The radiant smile of an accomplished feat, the pondering of completing a task and sometimes the need of just being.”

Vikki teaches the value of love and respect to students by listening, nurturing, validating and allowing students to confidently learn to problem solve, make their own decisions and advocate for themselves.