Faculty and Staff 2018-2019


We select teachers who demonstrate kindness and collaboration and embrace the Reggio philosophy of early childhood education where every child is respected as capable and competent.

Before being hired all employees must pass a criminal history check, an FBI fingerprint check and have a negative TB test. We also ensure our teachers are certified in CPR and First Aid and have a food handler’s license. Upon being hired teachers complete 24 hours of pre-service training and over the course of the year they receive another 24 hours of continuing education in areas that our Director and Pedagogista determine will benefit them, and our program, the most.

Our teachers are observed weekly, and evaluated annually, to foster their professional growth and development and to ensure the caliber of our program.

We love to learn, and are constantly strive to improve our program, so we are dedicated to providing excellent educational opportunities to our team. We have sent our educators and administrators to the conferences of: The North American Reggio Emilia Alliance (NAREA) and The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and on a study tour of the renowned Boulder Journey School so that we may bring best practices back to our school.

Administrators

Meg Birk,
Director

Ceci Valencia,
Pedagogista

Paloma Cardiel,
Office Manager

Teachers

Doves (Kindergarten):

Ceci Valencia
Lead Teacher

Silvia Cuevas-Chavez
Assistant Teacher

Roadrunners (Pre-kindergarten):

Desiree Ainsa
Lead Teacher

Jackie Moreno
Assistant Teacher

Bumblebees (3 year olds):

Fernanda Aldana
Lead Teacher

Dolores Zuzunagha
Assistant Teacher

Cottontails (3 year old class):

Iveth Escobedo
Lead Teacher

Dolores Zuzunagha
Assistant Teacher

Hummingbirds (2 year old class):

Edith Gallindo
Lead Teacher

Cynthia Lopez
Assistant Teacher

Chipmunks (2 year old class):

Gigi Figueroa
Lead Teacher

Brenda Estrada
Assistant Teacher

Geckos (2 year old class):

Gabby Cardenas
Lead Teacher

Stephanie Bixel
Assistant Teacher

Quails (1 year old class):

LaShanna Minton
Lead Teacher

Marta Lopez
Assistant Teacher

Prarie Dogs (1 year old class):

Britain Contreras
Lead Teacher

Adriana Salazar
Assistant Teacher

Early Einsteins:

Gabby Cardenas

Gigi Figueroa

Afternoon Adventurers:

Luisa

Paolina Barroeta

Specialists

Stacy Berry
Judaics

Miss Aime
Music

Dr. Heather Kaplan
Art

Elena Acosta
Yoga