Meet Our Staff

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

Founder and Principal

Cindy Acker

Cindy is the founder of The Child Unique and The Montessori Elementary Intermediate School of Alameda (MEISA), and has served as principal for over 40 years. She has several degrees in education, human development, spirituality, cultural studies and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from UC Berkeley. Cindy has also been involved in public policy, representing Montessori schools in California. She is a published author and a national keynote speaker. Apart from her passion for education, Cindy is a singer and choir director in Novato and a mother of three adult children. Cindy speaks Dutch and Spanish.

Events Coordinator/Director

Miesha Lampkins

Miesha was born and raised in Oakland, California. Lampkins, a Communications and Events Director/Coordinator, has a degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences and Hospitality, Tourism, Lodging, Resort, and Club Management. Lampkins loves it when she's challenged with an idea and could help with solutions. She loves communicating and connecting the dots. Coordination has always been a calling for her. Miesha loves spending time with her daughter, shopping, and taking trips. Lampkins is excited to work alongside Dr.Acker at The Child Unique School/Montessori Elementary Intermediate School.

Office Assistant

Erin Vanegas

Erin was born and raised in Alameda, California. Erin graduated from Redwood Christian High School in 2009 and then went into the education field working with children. Her favorite thing about working in the office is getting to know all the parents and the children. She is also the mom of one of the wonderful students in Elementary. Some of her hobbies are shopping, reading, playing sports, and enjoying family time as much as possible. One secret about her is that she loves to cook new things and learn about food. Erin is looking to enjoy her position in the office for years to come.

Product Designer

Jonathan Acker

Jonathan was born in San Francisco and lives in Alameda. He attended The Child Unique as a child and has worked at the school for several years. He has a degree in Psychology and a degree in Spirituality both from Holy Names University. He has two daughters and enjoys watching the Warriors, bowling, and making people laugh.

Primary 3 Teacher, Taylor Campus

Vivi Qin

Vivi has been in Montessori education since 2012, with over five years as a teacher and director in China. She developed an art-based curriculum inspired by Reggio Emilia and presented her workshop at The Montessori Event 2022, hosted by AMS. With a gentle demeanor and strong will, Vivi is loved by her students. She hopes to share Asian culture with children, saying, “It is an honor to be a teacher of our children.”

Primary 3 Teacher, Taylor Campus

Agnes Panlilio

(Bio Coming Soon)

Campus Support, Taylor Campus

Jeanna Nagle

Jeanna was born in Oakland and lives in Alameda. She attended the Early Childhood Education Program at Merritt College. She loves watching Giants and A's baseball and Cal football and basketball. She enjoys swimming, playing soccer and basketball, and playing with her nephew. She also enjoys listening to music and going for short hikes with her family. She looks forward to returning to the Taylor campus this Fall.

Primary 1 Teacher, Encinal Campus

Marisela Mascorro

Mari has been with The Child Unique for over 20 years. She holds degrees in Liberal Arts and Child Development as well as a Montessori Early Education Credential. Mari is the proud parent of three beautiful daughters. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and going on adventures with her daughters and husband. She loves the family-like aspect of The Child Unique and the peace education that is helping to make a better world.

Primary 1 Assistant Teacher/ Mandarin Teacher, Encinal Campus

Sonia Chen

Sonia was born in China and speaks Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. She worked as an elementary and middle school teacher for 11 years in China. Since 2011, she has been teaching in preschools in the United States. She likes to cook, listen to music, make friends, organize, and loves doing creative art projects.

Primary 2 Teacher, Encinal Campus

Charity Ezenwa

Charity is excited to be part of The Child Unique Montessori School. She is an Early Years Educator with over ten years of experience in teaching. She has a bachelor's degree in Government Education and a Montessori Diploma in Early Childhood (MACTE) certified.

She is a passionate and resolute teacher who is enthusiastic about contributing to the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development of children. She enjoys reading, listening to music, traveling and meeting new people.

Art Teacher, Encinal Campus

Aayasha Biggs

Aayasha, originally from Nepal, has lived in Alameda for over 12 years. As a former TCU parent, she is thrilled to continue being part of the TCU family in her new role as an Assistant Teacher. She recently earned her degree in Liberal Arts and brings a passion for dance and fashion design, a field in which she previously had a successful career. Aayasha looks forward to sharing these creative interests with TCU students. In her free time, she enjoys hiking throughout the Bay Area and taking long bike rides around the beautiful island of Alameda with her family.

Toddler 1 Teacher, Pacific Campus

Jessica Anyanwu

Jessica has a Bachelor's degree in Education Management from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and an Infant-Toddler and a Primary (3ys - 6 yrs) MACTE accredited Montessori teaching credential. She has more than six years of teaching experience, and has led Lego, swimming, and music clubs for children.

Toddler 1 Teacher, Pacific Campus

Lindsay Osborne

Lindsay holds an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education from Merritt College and brings over nine years of experience in childcare. She enjoys reading, dancing, and cooking, and her love of travel has taken her to many countries, including five memorable trips to Vietnam. Lindsay dances with a Vietnamese dance company, performing traditional Vietnamese, contemporary, ballet, and hip-hop styles. She is excited to bring her passion and experience to working with the children this year.

Pre-Primary Teacher, Pacific Campus

Carolina Serrano

Carolina, born and raised in Colombia, holds degrees in dental hygiene (2005) and social work (2011). She has led family workshops and supported at-risk youth with employment assistance. Since moving to the U.S. in 2012, she has worked with diverse populations and is passionate about young children. In 2003, she trained with Alameda County’s CASA program to support foster children in court, and in 2008, she expanded her early education knowledge at Chabot College. Carolina enjoys bike riding, traveling, and photography.