Hi,

My name is Saeedeh Rad, the founder and heart behind Beyond Alphabets in Mission Viejo. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Art with a focus on Painting and Ceramics and Early Childhood Education, and I have dedicated my career to nurturing young minds through creativity, meaningful connection, and compassionate teaching for many years.

As both an educator and a mom, I saw a need in the community—a place where every child could receive the care, attention, and encouragement they deserve. That vision inspired me to open Beyond Alphabets: a warm, enriching environment where learning is personal, engaging, and joyful.

For me, every single child is unique, and they deserve to be nurtured, supported, and celebrated for who they are. I believe that with the right environment and care, children thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally.

At Beyond Alphabets, our goal is to help each child build confidence and grow through hands-on academics, creative expression, and strong social connections. Whether it’s mastering math, diving into science, or expressing themselves through art and language, we focus on whole-child development.

I also understand how demanding life can be for parents—juggling school pickups, homework, and extracurriculars. That’s why I created a center where parents can have peace of mind, knowing their children are safe, supported, and thriving—all in one place. Our programs are designed to save families time, reduce driving stress, and offer high-quality education in a fun, affordable, and nurturing setting.

To support families year-round, we also offer Winter and Summer Camps during school breaks and holidays—packed with hands-on art, STEM, social activities, and more!

Welcome to Beyond Alphabets—where every child is seen, supported, and inspired to shine. 

I truly measure Beyond Alphabets’ success by the smiles on our students’ faces and the positive growth we see in each child. When children feel happy, confident, and inspired to learn, I know we’re doing something right.

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Mrs. Macie Robison

Lead Teacher

Mrs. Macie Robison is a dedicated educator with over 20 years of experience in teaching. A proud mother of two teenagers and a recent transplant from Texas to Southern California, she brings a warm, nurturing presence to the Beyond Alphabets team.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business and a valid teaching credential, and is passionate about creating supportive, engaging learning environments where students are encouraged to explore, grow, and thrive.

Mrs. Macie believes in the power of hands-on, experiential learning, and tailors her teaching approach to meet the unique needs of each student. Her goal is to nurture curiosity, build confidence, and inspire a lifelong love of learning.

Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Macie enjoys spending time with her family, solving puzzles, making music and art, and connecting with nature—passions she often brings into her lessons to enhance creativity and joy in the learning experience.

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Mrs. Linda Shepard

Lead Teacher

Mrs. Linda Shepard is a proud member of the Beyond Alphabets teaching team. She has dedicated many years to working with children—teaching her own sons, leading Family Night of Math and Science for 11 years for K–5th graders at Capistrano Unified and St. Serra, and volunteering in reading and math for more than a decade. She has served as a Cub Scouts leader for 23 years, taught 3rd-grade religious education, and tutored students from 2nd grade through high school. In addition to her experience with younger learners, Mrs. Linda has taught Finance, Accounting, and Operations Management at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. She is passionate about math and delights in seeing the “lightbulb moment” when students grasp a new concept.

Outside of teaching, Mrs. Linda enjoys reading, writing, baking, cooking, gardening, swimming at Lake Mission Viejo, and spending time with her family and friends.

Mrs. Linda holds a BBA in Accounting and a BA in English Literature from Saint Mary’s College (Notre Dame, IN), a Master of Management from the Kellogg Graduate School of Business at Northwestern University (Chicago), and is a licensed CPA in the State of Illinois.

Why She Loves Beyond Alphabets:
Mrs. Linda is deeply grateful to be part of a program that nurtures children through creativity, hands-on learning, and a warm, family-centered environment. She loves the joyful, respectful, and eager-to-learn students, as well as the supportive teaching team that makes every day meaningful. To her, Beyond Alphabets is a place where children grow academically, socially, and emotionally—and she is honored to contribute to their success.

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Ms. Aurore Stalder

French Teacher

Aurore Stadler was born and raised with the French language and culture, Aurore is a Summa Cum Laude graduate from California State University, Fullerton, with a Bachelor's in French (and Dance). She previously earned the International Baccalaureate Diploma, passing both French and English in the Higher Level Exams, and also obtained a 5 for both the French and Spanish AP Exams. Aurore has experience teaching French to a diverse range of ages, from elementary students to adults. Her teaching philosophy centers around creating a positive and supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and taking risks. Aurore's goal is to build her lessons in a challenging and fun environment, guiding students in acquiring, retaining, and applying knowledge in ways that resonate with their goals and inspire curiosity. She prioritizes explaining the "why" behind learning to foster engagement, deeper understanding, and practical application. In addition, Aurore is also a dance teacher, specializing in bringing the grace and artistry of ballet to students of all ages, and a professional dancer and choreographer. Aurore's unique blend of expertise allows her not only to equip her students with tools for success but also to inspire them to continue learning with curiosity and confidence.

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Mrs. Mayra Kellenberger

Spanish Teacher 

Mrs. Mayra Kellenberger was born in Guadalajara in Mexico and is a passionate and dedicated Spanish educator with several years of experience teaching children of all ages. She brings language to life through creativity, music, art, and interactive activities that make every class fun and meaningful.

She studied Education at the University of Guadalajara in Mexico, where she also completed specialized coursework to reactivate her teaching degree. Her deep cultural background and love for teaching help students not only learn Spanish words but also understand the beauty of Hispanic culture, traditions, and expression.

At Beyond Alphabets, Mrs. Mayra focuses on building students’ confidence to speak, listen, and communicate naturally in Spanish, using hands-on learning and games that make every lesson engaging. Her approach combines language, art, and storytelling — helping each child enjoy the journey of learning a new language.

¡Aprendamos español con alegría! — Let’s learn Spanish with joy!

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