Hi, I’m Candida!

I continued my journey in education and now have over ten years of teaching experience in the field of education. A dedicated wife and mother of two children, although I am no longer in a standard classroom, I continue my quest to provide children with the gift of education all wrapped up in a fun learning experience. In 2019 I started a new chapter as the owner of Challenge Island Santa Cruz & San Jose. With the robust curriculum off Challenge Island, I am able to bring a quality STEAM program laced with crucial 21st Century Skills that students need to practice over time. We work together with administrators and teachers to align standards and complement the classroom academic learning needs so that lessons blend seamlessly into one another and we build or add onto what students are learning or put into practice what they already know.

Our door has been open for a meager 2 years, however, we have built partnerships and serve students through the City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation and Los Gatos/Saratoga Community Education and Recreation. We also work with schools such as the French American School of Silicon Valley, Stratford Schools, Hillbrook School, and the list is growing. We continue to collaborate with Girl Scouts troops in California Central Coast and Northern California and are working on building a base for the homeschooling community. Teaching is a very noble profession and I continue to work with children and mold their future using STEAM and 21st Century Skills with Challenge Island.