Meet Our
Experts & Consultants
PATRICIA HUNTER MCGRATH
Founder and Executive Director of Branches Institute, and Branches Atelier School, Master Teacher, International Keynote Speaker, Workshop and Educational Consultant
Patricia Hunter McGrath is the Executive Director/Atelierista of Branches Atelier in Culver City, California. Founded in 2007, the preschool is an innovative, early childhood program, inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach.
Patricia Hunter McGrath is the Executive Director/Atelierista of Branches Atelier in Culver City, California. Founded in 2007, the preschool is an innovative early childhood program inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach. Along with the Reggio approach, Patricia has developed a unique approach to education called contemporary academics. Branches currently serves over 100 families in its preschool, parent-infant, and parent- toddler programs.
After working as a teacher for seven years at the Growing Place in Santa Monica, Patricia became the Atelierista at Evergreen Community School where over the following years, she developed a unique approach to children’s symbolic languages. Patricia offers children expressive art materials as Materials as Tools of the Mind to help children communicate their thinking. Using many mediums such as clay, wire, and paint, children are invited to enter into a relationship with the materials in order to express, clarify and modify their ideas and theories.
In 2005, Patricia left Santa Monica for Perth, Australia, to develop the role of the Atelierista a school with children Ages 2 to 16 years. During her time in Perth she also developed the Reggio Emilia Class for Murdoch University.
Deeply inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to education, Patricia is a member of the West Coast Collaborative. This coalition of preschools work closely together to share resources, training, professional development, parenting workshops on how to apply Reggio inspired practices into early childhood settings and at home. Through this work, the West Coast Collaborative continues to be “in dialogue” with the schools of Reggio Emilia through an ongoing collaboration with pedagogista, Tiziana Filippini. She has attended 8 study tours in Reggio Emilia and received advanced training in the philosophy.
With more than thirty years of experience in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s degree in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, California, Patricia is still a passionate artist at heart. She is a contributing author of the books In the Spirit of the Atelier and Insights and Inspiration from Reggio Emilia, both published by Davis Press. Patricia also writes parenting articles for Culver City and Westchester magazines. She presents inspirational workshops and seminars on a wide range of educational topics. Patricia speaks at conferences and consults throughout the United States and abroad, including China, Australia, Canada, and Scotland.
“I believe that education has the power to change culture, to create and shape a future where all children thrive.”
“Though education teachers can shine a light in the darkest of times and lead the way towards a future of new possibilities”
BERENICE VALLEJO
Assistant Director, Workshop Speaker and Educational Consultant
Berenice Vallejo was born in Mexico and immigrated to Los Angeles in her high school years. Berenice earned her BA Degree in Early Childhood Education from Cal State Los Angeles University. During her college years, she discovered her passion for working with children. Her teaching experiences started as a volunteer in the
Berenice Vallejo was born in Mexico and immigrated to Los Angeles in her high school years. Berenice earned her BA Degree in Early Childhood Education from Cal State Los Angeles University. During her college years, she discovered her passion for working with children. Her teaching experiences started as a volunteer in the Head Start program in East Los Angeles Occupational Center. Later she became an assistant teacher at the Vine Street and Commonwealth Elementary Schools in the LA Unified School District and then a teacher in private preschools in Downtown LA. including the Infant and Toddler Program at Hope Street Friends. While taking Reggio-inspired courses at Santa Monica College, she was a substitute teacher at Branches Atelier for a year before joining the community as a full time teacher. Berenice has been a teacher at Branches for over 4 years and has over 15 years of experience working with children of all ages. Berenice has become a mentor teacher and offered workshops for other educators. She attended a nine days study group at Reggio Emilia in 2019 and received advanced training in this philosophy. As Reggio-inspired school, Branches Atelier has motivated Berenice to broaden her understanding of the philosophy and the general interaction of instinctive curiosity with the world, as a process of development and learning for children.
“Understanding the complex learning processes that go through the child’s mind while working with materials and making social connections has become my passion”.
CHRISTINA BIANCHI
Pedagogista, Keynote Speaker, Speaker, Workshop and Educational Consultant
Christina Bianchi has been the pedagogista/naturalist at Branches Atelier for the past 9 years. Prior to becoming an educator at Branches Atelier, Christina worked as the Program Director for The Children’s Nature Institute, bringing her passions for teaching, children, and promoting environmental literacy to the agency.
Christina Bianchi is the pedegogista/atelierista at Branches Atelier for the past 9 years. Prior to becoming an educator at Branches Atelier, Christina worked as the Program Director for The Children’s Nature Institute bringing her passions for teaching, children and promoting environmental literacy to the agency. In addition to overseeing both the design and implementation of all new education programs and curricula; Christina also worked with Development staff on grants related to program development, managed a staff of Environmental Educators and coordinated and implemented volunteer training. At Branches Atelier Christina works as both the pedagogista and naturalist, combining her loves for the scientific method, current research and the natural world to provide mentoring for teachers and inspirational environments for children. She has presented the work of Branches Atelier at NAEYC, STEM, Opal School, First Five Monterey and Five States Collaborative Conferences.She is also a California Mentor, working in the classroom with college students, supporting the practical application of good early childhood practices.Christina is excited to exchange ideas with teachers from all over the world as our understanding of the human mind evolves in this adaptive educational approach.
BECKY ZLOTOFF
Mentor Teacher / Parent Coach / Educational Consultant
Becky Zlotoff graduated cum laude from St John’s College, Annapolis Maryland, after receiving a unique liberal arts education.
She raised three sons and a daughter in Santa Monica and now enjoys spending time with her four grandchildren. After being a
Becky Zlotoff graduated cum laude from St John’s College, Annapolis Maryland, after receiving a unique liberal arts education.
She raised three sons and a daughter in Santa Monica and now enjoys spending time with her four grandchildren. After being a very involved parent in the Santa Monica Public Schools, she got her early childhood units from Santa Monica College.
Becky created and has taught a preschool program at Santa Monica Synagogue for more than thirty years. She was a California Mentor for twelve years, working in the classroom with college students, supporting the practical application of good early childhood practices. She is currently mentoring infant and toddler teachers as well as preschool teachers.
For twelve years, Becky was a teacher at First Presbyterian Nursery School. In addition to attending many workshops about the Reggio Approach in the United States, she has been on three learning tours to Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Becky has presented her work with infants, toddlers and preschoolers all over the United States. With Mary Hartzell and Ami Cohen, she co-authored the chapter “Parents As Partners” in Next Steps Toward Teaching The Reggio Way.
Becky is passionate about working with families of very young children. She is a certified Parenting Coach and teaches mindful parenting classes as well as privately consulting with individual families. Becky has a unique ability to help families craft language and develop strategies to use in daily interactions that support clear, respectful and loving relationships.
KAREN CAHOON
Parent / Toddler Parent Coach
Karen Cahoon attended Brigham Young University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Sociology, with minors in Psychology and Child Development Family Relations. She then went on to receive her master’s in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University (2003-2005). For the past ten years, she has
Karen Cahoon attended Brigham Young University where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology, with minors in Psychology and Child Development Family Relations. She then went on to receive her Masters in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University (2003-2005). For the past ten years she has been working as a Psychotherapist intern at Miracle Mile Community Practice and in Private Practice counseling children, families, teens, couples, and adults. For the past eight years she has been leading Parent/Toddler groups at Branches Atelier and the Early Years School.
Prior to attending Antioch, Karen worked as a preschool teacher at Evergreen Community School (1997-2003), Stephen S. Wise Temple (1990-1997), and Backyard Preschool (1987-1990). From 1990-1995 Karen was also a Parent Educator at Stephen S. Wise Temple. She has attended Reggio Emilia twice.
JILL ADAMSON
Teacher Educator
Jill Adamson grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and studied education at Loyola University Chicago, where she earned her master’s degree in Education. During this time, Jill became involved with the Reggio Emilia philosophy through working at the Chicago Children’s Museum. Jill has gone on to work in four different schools across the United
Jill Adamson grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and studied education at Loyola University Chicago, where she earned her Masters degree in Education. During this time, Jill became involved with the Reggio Emilia philosophy through working at the Chicago Children’s Museum. Jill has gone on to work in four different schools across the United States in Reggio Emilia schools, and has also had experience teaching in public schools. She has taught at schools in Illinois, Virginia and Rhode Island. She is now in her sixth year as a senior teacher at Branches Atelier in California. Jill has had extensive experience with Reggio Emilia and has become a mentor teacher for new teachers. She trains new teachers and instructs them how to set up a classroom, interact with children and develop curriculum. She attended a study tour in Reggio Emilia in 2019 and received advanced training in the philosophy. Jill was a keynote speaker and consultant in China, speaking to educators across seven provinces about Reggio Emilia and progressive education. Jill is highly experienced teaching preschool aged children, and also is an expert at teaching toddler aged children. Jill is passionate about progressive education and aspires to train other teachers how to ingratiate contemporary academics into their classroom. She brings her personal interests, playing the guitar and sewing, to the classroom as well.
KIRSTIN WEST
Teacher Educator
Kirstin West was born in Orange County, CA and studied Early Childhood Education at Arizona State University. Kirstin’s passion for working with children and families began in high school after enrolling in her first Child Development class and later went on to work for Brea Olinda Unified School District for 6 years while being
Kirstin West was born in Orange County, CA and studied Early Childhood Education at Arizona State University. Kirstin’s passion for working with children and families began in high school after enrolling in her first Child Development class and later went on to work for Brea Olinda Unified School District for 6 years while being involved with their child care and preschool programs. Kirstin has also gained experience working with children and families through 7 years of volunteering for Pop Warner, a non-profit youth sports organization. Apart from college classes, this is Kirstin’s first experience working in a Reggio-inspired educational setting and she is enthusiastic and eager to gain first-hand experience in this philosophy.
Outside of Branches, Kirstin enjoys backpacking in the Eastern Sierra Nevadas or local National Parks, trying new recipes at home, and spending time with her cat and dog at home in Marina Del Rey. Kirstin welcomes the new challenges and learning experiences Branches has to offer and looks forward to sharing such experiences with her new Branches community.
FRANCESKA SCHIFRIN
Mentor Teacher / Parent Coach
Franceska Schifrin is a lifelong painter, student of natural sciences, education and social justice. After studying at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, her international career took her to multiple places, where she also worked with children and their families refugee camps in Bosnia during the wars, orphanages in Haiti,
Franceska Schifrin is a lifelong painter, student of natural sciences, education and social justice. After studying at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, her international career took her to multiple places where she also worked with children and their families – refugee camps in Bosnia during the wars, orphanages in Haiti, Lakota reservations in South Dakota and Cuban villages, to name but a few.
Franceska has always been dedicated to children, during her time in the East Village of NYC she made sure she had a shelf of early reader books for the local children who treated her apartment like an after school center. During the Balkan wars, she used her knowledge of visual arts and human compassion to share therapeutic art with the children in refugee camps. Deeply involved with Haiti since 1985, she has spent years working there with children in a multitude of ways.
Franceska is the mother of 2 children and has a personal passion for helping multi-race families and their children navigate their paths. Her experiences with adoption have made her a constant student of the subject, studying family dynamics and child development from all angles. Her introduction to Reggio Emilia began with her 20-year-old son’s preschool in Cambridge, MA. She chose the school because it fit so well her concepts of care and respect of children. She was raised by educators, artists, and anthropologists.
Franceska’s formal training in ECE has been at UCLA. She has taught school for over eleven years, including six as a lead teacher and assistant director at a Jewish preschool in Venice, California and three years with Branches Atelier.
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