Sandra Padilla is one of Sycamore Valley Academy’s 1st and 2nd grade teachers, sharing the classroom with Cristina Johnson. She is passionate about SVA’s mission and believes great educators address the whole child in respectful, meaningful ways. She is also excited to help students construct their own knowledge of the world through authentic experiences and rich curriculum. Sandra has a particular interest in teaching mathematics to children in a way that is meaningful and exciting. Interested in creating experiences that will help students learn to apply math rather than passing down abstract information, Sandra hopes to instill the love of mathematics in her students the way others have done for her. Sandra also hopes, in every subject, to challenge students’ thinking and provide each individual child with a valuable education. 

When Sandra is not in the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her family, whether it is a quiet afternoon at home or a fun-filled day at Disneyland. She can often be found in the kitchen trying out new baking recipes that she loves to share with family and friends.