Staff

The Reggio Emilia approach recognizes three primary teachers in a child's life. The first teacher is the parent, the second is the classroom teacher, and the third is the environment. Classroom teachers play a complex role as researchers, guides, resources, and co-learners. As educators, they curate the school environment for the children. They actively encourage, respond to, and extend children's play, aiming to foster lifelong learners driven to seek answers to their questions, formulate hypotheses, test them, and analyze the results. Acknowledging children's inherent curiosity, our responsibility as educators is to nurture and perpetuate that innate spark, ensuring it continues to thrive and grow.

Jose Rodriguez

  • Greetings! I'm Jose Rodriguez, an enthusiastic advocate for education with a story shaped by inspiring teachers and a twist of fate. Following a layoff, I explored diverse career paths, ultimately discovering my calling in early childhood education—a journey inspired by the transformative philosophy of Reggio Emilia.

    Guided by a friend's suggestion, I enrolled in ECE classes and embraced the role of a preschool teacher. A pivotal moment occurred during a visit to a Reggio-Inspired School, where their philosophy resonated with me profoundly, evoking a desire to extend this enriching experience to underprivileged communities akin to my upbringing.

    I bring a wealth of education and experience to my profession, holding an A.S. in Early Childhood Education and an A.A. in Liberal Arts: Social and Behavioral Science from Santa Monica College. My commitment to continuous growth is evident through my participation in NAREA conferences and professional development workshops, specifically focused on deepening my understanding of the Reggio philosophy.

    For the past fifteen years, I've contributed to the educational landscape at SGM Atelier, a Reggio-inspired preschool. Later, during my tenure at First Presbyterian Nursery School in Santa Monica, I had the privilege of working alongside passionate advocates of the Reggio philosophy and learning from respected mentors in our field. Collaborating with these esteemed educators, I've honed my skills and gained invaluable insights, both personally and professionally.

    In 2020, I undertook the challenge of spearheading the creation of an outdoor kindergarten for graduates of ALC Preschool. This experience not only broadened my expertise but also underscored my dedication to innovative and inclusive early childhood education.

    Recently, I seized the opportunity to apply for the director position at ALC Preschool, marking a new chapter in my career. My passion for sharing knowledge and fostering growth is unwavering, and I am eager to inspire and empower children, parents, and fellow educators on this exciting journey.

Dulce Rodriguez

  • My name is Dulce Rodriguez and I am a Co-Teacher at Ascension Lutheran Preschool. I received my Early Childhood Education Certificate from Santa Monica College and started my career as an intern at a Reggio-inspired preschool. I have been teaching for over eleven years and have worked as a Teacher, Atelierista, and Assistant Director. I chose this career because I believe I can make a difference in children’s lives. I ‘m married and have four children, three of whom also attended ALC/Worlds of Wonder and had a fantastic experience. I am excited to begin a learning journey alongside the children. Children are capable individuals who learn best through exploration, developing theories, and testing their ideas.

Lidia Montalvo

  • My name is Lidia and I’ve been a teacher for over thirty years. Since 2020, I have been part of ALC Worlds of Wonder. With an Associate in Arts in Child Development from El Camino College and a university degree in Administrative Assistance from El Salvador, I began teaching and leading the ESL program at a Catholic private school. My experience ranges from first to twelfth grade and even includes twenty years as a Sunday school teacher. Today, I am proud to be a co-learner with the children at ALC Worlds of Wonder. My passion for education is continuously fueled, as I am an active member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance (NAREA).

Monica D’Herrera

  • Hello my name is Monica. I am the Atelierista of Ascension Lutheran Preschool. An Ateliarista is a teacher with a background in the arts who works with the teachers and children in the classrooms and the Atelier to support and inspire creative learning by providing experiences and provocations through various media.

    I have worked in a Reggio-inspired program for 11 years, beginning as a teacher and then making the transition to become the Atelierista. I attend workshops in local preschools inspired by this approach and attended several NAREA conferences to further my knowledge and experience to keep up with the new research and theories in child development. They provide inspiration to create an environment for quality learning experiences for the children, teachers, and families as both learners and educators.

    Along with my courses in early childhood education, I continue my work with still and life drawing with materials such as graphite pencils, pastels, and charcoal as well as painting with oil, acrylic, watercolor, and gouache. Some of my favorite work is with three-dimensional forms through sculpting, clay, and other voluminous materials. In my free time, I like to go to concerts with my sisters, play and go hiking with my dog, cook at home, or create pottery and paint.

Pam Session

  • Hi there! My name is Pamela Session, and I work as a co-teacher at Ascension Lutheran Preschool. I earned my AA degree in liberal arts from Los Angeles Harbor College before transferring to California State Long Beach to pursue a degree in Family Consumer Sciences-Child Development and Family Studies, which I successfully completed. I have more than 20 years of experience in early education and have had the pleasure of learning different philosophies such as creative curriculum, high scope, emerging curriculum, Development Appropriate Practice, and Reggio Emilia inspired. Among these, I find Reggio Emilia particularly fascinating, as it emphasizes teaching children based on their interests and perspectives. As an advocate for children, I strongly support their growth and development by providing guidance and assistance. Teaching young children is my passion, and I consider it a calling from God that I wholeheartedly embrace.

Sandy Enriquez

  • Hi! My name is Sandra, and I have been with Ascension Lutheran Preschool since 2021, but I’ve worked in education since 2013. In 2018 I began to take Child Development classes and found my love for Infants/Toddlers. Infants and Toddlers are the coolest people you will ever engage with! When given the opportunity, not only do we get to learn alongside them, but we are also able to see how capable, inquisitive, and imaginative they are.

    I graduated CSULB IN 2013 with a B.A. and earned an M.S. in Management and Leadership in 2020. After successfully passing the required courses for my Child Development certificates, I completed my Child Development practicum in 2020 at West LA College Child Development Center and Locke Early Education Center. I hope to move into a leadership position in the future. I love spending time in Santa Barbara and Solvang with my husband and our pets: Harley, Penny, and Forky.

Thitichaya Yaisingboon. (Min Min)

  • Hi there! I'm Thitichaya, and I work as a co-teacher at Ascension Lutheran Preschool. I have an associate's degree and a certificate in early childhood education from El Camino College. I'm pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development and Family Studies from California State University, Long Beach. I decided to enter the field of Child Development in 2019 because I wanted to help children develop and grow to their full potential. I love spending time with children, and I believe each child has a unique learning style. Children are natural explorers and express themselves in their own way. By following their interests, they become more engaged and excited about learning. I'm excited to be a part of the ALC community and work with children and their families.