Ms. Yonenaga is very grateful to be part of the JCS Mountain Oaks community. This is her second year teaching first grade at JCS and her fifth year of teaching overall. Previously, she taught kindergarten in Los Altos, CA. Mrs. Yonenaga believes in fostering a classroom culture that prioritizes kindness and the social-emotional well-being of her students. She is also passionate about supporting and nurturing her students’ love for reading.

Originally from the Bay Area, CA, Mrs. Yonenaga has a background in Environmental Science from her undergraduate studies and work at UC Davis. While teaching an after-school STEM program for K-5 students, she discovered her passion for the classroom. This inspired her to shift her career to teaching, earning her teaching credential and master’s degree from UC Irvine.

Outside the classroom, Mrs. Yonenaga enjoys spending time at the beach and farmers’ markets with friends and family.