​​Shirleyann Jennings, Director
Shirleyann began her career in early childhood education as a high school student, working in a role dedicated to supporting children’s development. This early experience ignited a deep passion for the field, leading to the completion of a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education, alongside numerous advanced courses. With over 30 years of experience in both teaching and directing, Shirleyann has worked with children from preschool through 3rd grade, fostering a love for learning in each child. Married for 24 years and a proud parent of two daughters, Shirleyann remains committed to creating nurturing, play-based environments that support children’s growth and lifelong learning.

Kaeley Luntzel, Office Manager
​Kaeley is native to Sonoma County, having been born and raised in Windsor, CA. Her journey in early childhood education begins as a dedicated preschool teacher. Kaeley also pursued her passion for interior design and organization.  These varied interests and education provide her with a unique perspective at balancing office duties and fostering an environment that supports the growth and learning of young children. When Kaeley is not supporting Live Oak, she spends time with her son and family basking in the beauty of the outdoors. 
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Miss Linda, Teacher
Linda studied early childhood education at Santa Rosa Junior College, and continues to further  her education through workshops and conferences. Linda has been a teacher at Live Oak Preschool since 2010. She says that seeing children grow and develop is like seeing her own children develop all over again, year after year. On days that she is not teaching at Live Oak, Linda works as a bookkeeper for Bucher Farms in Healdsburg. Linda lives in Healdsburg with her husband, daughter, and son. Spending time with her family is what she loves to do most.

Miss Tawnie, Teacher
Tawnie received her education through the Montessori Teacher Education Center and Santa Rosa Junior College.  She is fluent in Spanish and has enjoyed incorporating Spanish into the Live Oak curriculum. Tawnie started teaching at Live Oak in 2010, and has been a full-time teacher since then. Outside of Live Oak, Tawnie spends time with her family and friends, and enjoys outdoor activities, adventures, and fun!

Miss Darlene, Teacher
From her first job as an aide in a preschool, Darlene knew that the preschool age was her niche in early childhood education. She became certified in ECE through De Anza College in Cupertino, and received a BA Degree in Sociology of the Family from San Jose State University. She served for many years as teacher and assistant director at Children's Center of the Stanford Community, and more recently served as teacher and afternoon program director of Palo Alto Friends Nursery School. Over the years she has continued to grow and evolve as a teacher, recently focusing on reflective teaching and the importance of keeping children connected to nature and the outdoors. What has not changed is her passion for the amazing human development that takes place during the preschool years. It is her firm belief that young children learn best through their natural inclination to play, in a thoughtfully planned environment, and through their supportive and trusting relationships with the people in their world. Her outside interests include being out in nature, reading, gardening, cooking, and spending time with family and pets.

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​Miss Katie, Teacher
We are thrilled to welcome Katie back to Live Oak Preschool, where she began her own educational journey as a preschooler! A proud alumni, Katie has been a cherished member of the Live Oak community for many years, especially during the time her two boys attended the school. Her dedication to young children is evident through her extensive experience as a nanny for local families and her ongoing pursuit of early childhood education. Katie's warm and nurturing presence, combined with her deep connection to Live Oak, makes her a wonderful addition to our teaching team.

Miss Tracy, Teacher
Tracy started teaching children as a teenager at a private school owned by her father. She has experience teaching preschool in various programs including Reggio Emilia. She enjoys finding new Early Childhood Education classes to continue to refresh and enrich her teaching and knowledge in the field. In addition to teaching young children, Tracy is a children's author and illustrator, as well as a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers.  She was raised in Napa and Sonoma County and now resides in Occidental with her husband and fluffy grey kitten, Yogurt.  Her three grown sons are all enrolled in colleges out of town. She enjoys decompressing by watching the waves at the beach, hiking and playing tennis with her family.