Meet Our Teachers
"The art of teaching, is the art of assisting discovery."
Miss Alison
Owner & Director
My name is Alison Hill. I am the owner & director at Happy Hearts Preschool. I have been caring for children for over sixteen years and taught kindergarten in Petaluma for three. I originally opened Happy Hearts in my home in 2011. A back bedroom classroom with a class of 6, quickly turned into a converted garage classroom with a group of 12. In 2016, I realized it was time to spread my wings and open a school outside of my home. And that's when we found the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds! It's been an amazing place to provide preschool for children. I am a strong believer in play being the true work of the child. Allowing children this important time gives them the freedom to explore and discover the world around them.
I'm helping to raise 3 beautiful children who are 9, 12 and 12, and one rambunctious yellow lab named Rocket who comes to school with me sometimes. In our free time, we like to take care of our chickens, bunnies and travel down Hwy 1 to take in that fresh ocean air!
Miss Lisa
Ladybugs Teacher/Assistant Director
Miss Kristin
Ladybugs Teacher/Assistant Director
My name is Lisa Giosso and I love being a part of the Happy Hearts team! I teach the Ladybugs class as a co-teacher with Miss Kristin, as well as run the school as one of the assistant directors.
You may recognize me from school drop off or pick up, as my daughter, Gianna attends Happy Hearts, and my son Dominic attended for three years. Others may recognize me from working many years at the coffee cart in front of Kaiser as a barista. Coffee and raising children are two of my passions!
I attended Santa Rosa Junior College and Dominican University and received a BA in liberal studies. I love putting my education and experience to good use, after being a stay at home mama for the last 4 years.
I was born and raised in Petaluma and my husband, kids and I live on my family’s ranch here in town. We love visiting the cows, chickens, horses, pigs and a donkey that live on the property.
I love everything Happy Hearts stands for and have loved watching the school grow over the past 10 years. I have never missed a Winter Sing A-Long! I look forward to getting to know your families and helping raise your sweet children.
My name is Kristin Jucutan and I am so thrilled to be teaching at this wonderful school! I started teaching the Ladybugs class back in 2019, and returned in 2021 to teach the Ladybugs class with my co-teacher Miss Lisa. Miss Lisa and I also run the school as the assistant directors.
I was born and raised here in Petaluma and am happily married to my high school sweetheart, Jason. I am a mom of two girls: Jadin (12) and Makenna (10) and they both currently attend Mary Collins school at Cherry Valley. I attended the Santa Rosa Junior College where I earned my early childhood education certification. I was lucky enough to stay home and raise my two girls, and now love using my education and experience to help raise the next generation. I look forward to getting to know each and every one of your students!
Miss Shay
Sprouts Teacher
Hi! My name is Shay Bacon and I am so happy to be a part of the Happy Hearts community and your child’s early education journey! I have been with Happy Hearts since 2021. I was born and raised in Santa Rosa and have lived in Petaluma for the past 25 years raising my three daughters with my husband. I love this town and am so excited to contribute to the next generation of this community.
I attended Santa Rosa Junior College where I received my early childhood education degree. Since then I have worked in ECE for a cumulative 18 years.
I believe in a play based approach to learning where children can explore and cultivate a lifelong love for learning and curiosity. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your child’s experience!
Miss Zoë
Sprouts Teacher
Hello! My name is Zoe Sturm and I love being a part of the Happy Hearts community! My husband Tyler and I both grew up in Petaluma and together we have a three-year-old named Tallulah, who is in the Ladybug class.
I went to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and graduated in 2014 with a degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Administration. I also interned with the Special Olympics during my senior year of college, which led me to work at Lindamood-Bell, a private learning/tutoring center for children.
After that, I knew that I wanted to pursue my passion for Early Childhood Education. I then worked at Miss Sandie’s for about four years, where I met Miss Shay. I love working with Miss Shay again and I cannot wait to meet my new little friends!
Mrs.Nau
Morning Blossoms Teacher
This is my last year at Happy Hearts Preschool, as I am retiring! (Miss Zoe will be taking over the Blossom class in July 2023) My career began over 30 years ago. I attended Santa Rosa Junior College to earn my Early Childhood Education Teacher certification. For 17 years, I taught at Happy Day Preschool in Petaluma. I then taught at Cherry Valley’s NBCC preschool for 9 years. And have now been at Happy Hearts Preschool since it moved to the fairgrounds in 2016.
I come from a large Petaluma family of teachers. My mother, my sister, my daughter, 2 daughter in laws, 1 cousin and 2 nieces are all educators. Education is our family’s passion. We love family events at my parent’s farm.
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I recently took a seat on the Petaluma City Council, where I will work in my retirement to help our wonderful city.
You might hear some of the children here calling me, “Grandma”, or “GramGram” because I am the Grandmother of 6. When I am not teaching, I love to work in my large garden at home and have a Little Free Library, because I love to read. Baseball season is the best and I love my SF Giants.
Miss Corinne
Blossoms Teacher
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Hi Happy Hearts! My name is Miss Corinne. I grew up in Maine where I attended the University of Southern Maine studying social work and psychology. After college, I taught at a preschool center with focus on early intervention for children with developmental delays. After having two kids of my own, I decided it was time to take a break from teaching and expand my knowledge for another love of mine- teeth! I spent the next two years as an Orthodontic Assistant and Treatment Coordinator for an orthodontic office. I absolutely fell in love with Sonoma County after visiting family here and moved to Santa Rosa in May. In my down time you can find me doing all the fun things with my two daughters and fiancé. I am so excited to be apart of the Happy Hearts team and your children’s education!
Miss Lori
Afternoon Blossoms Teacher
Hi Happy Hearts Families! My name is Lori Silvers. I've lived in Sonoma County my whole life. I've been working with children at a few different preschools and daycares for over 20 years. I received my Early Childhood Education from Santa Rosa Junior College.
My favorite pastimes are my grandbabies and anything outdoors. I have 3 children and two granddaughters. My love for children has been my driving force every day to stay grounded, silly and messy! I look forward to playing with all your littles!