1st Grade *

Brenda Alban, 1st Grade

brenda.alban@simivalleyusd.org

I attended college at Cal Poly Pomona and California State University-Northridge, earning my General and Special Education credentials. I began teaching in Los Angeles, then chose to work in the Simi Valley Unified School District to be closer to home. Sycamore Elementary School has been my school home for a long time. I began teaching in Simi Valley in 1989 as a Special Educator. For 10 years I taught in Special Day Classes, and also as an Inclusion Specialist in the district. I’ve taught 1st and 2nd grades for many years.

My husband David and I have three children. Brianna is a physical therapist. She and her husband have a baby girl, Madelyn. Her twin brother, Bradley, is a professor at Mars Hills College, teaching Kinesiology and Exercise Physiology in North Carolina. He and his wife have a baby boy, Jack. Kelsey, our youngest, teaches 5th grade at Park View Elementary School, and has taught Kindergarten and 3rd grade. David and I love to travel, anywhere our car takes us, especially to see our new grandson, Jack! I enjoy walking, hiking, cooking and reading and having family dinners. I love watching my students bring an excitement for learning to school each day

Ashley Galanti, 1st Grade

ashley.galanti@saimivalleyusd.org

Hi! My name is Ashley Galanti and I teach 1st grade here at Sycamore Elementary School. I grew up in Simi Valley and attended all SVUSD schools. I actually went to Sycamore myself for Kindergarten through 5th grade, then Hillside Middle School, and finally Royal High School. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in Child Development from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and my multiple subject teaching credential from California State University-Northridge. In my free time I enjoy walking my dog, hiking, attending yoga classes and dancing. I am so excited for this school year and to be a Skyhawk again!

Megan Suzuki, 1st/2nd Grade (SDC)

megan.suzuki@simivalleyusd.org

I am Megan Suzuki, and I am a special education teacher here at Sycamore Elementary School. I earned both my Bachelor's Degree in Child Development and my Education Specialist Credential from California State University-Northridge. I have taught in the Simi Valley Unified School District since 2002. I worked as an Inclusion Specialist for my first four years in the district, and had the chance to work at several of our district's schools, including Sycamore. I enjoyed working with the teachers and students at Sycamore, and when the opportunity arose to take over one of the special education classroom here, I jumped at the chance! Both of my daughters attended Sycamore throughout their elementary school years, and I loved having them on campus with me.

I have worked with children in a variety of settings for all of my adult life. In addition to being an elementary special education teacher, I've also worked as a preschool teacher and early intervention teacher. My favorite parts of teaching are getting to know my students, watching them learn to do something for the first time by themselves, and seeing students' pride and excitement in learning.