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

A smiling man with a beard and long hair tied back, standing outdoors in front of a leafy shrub with small, green and reddish leaves.

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

A woman with dark hair smiling outdoors in front of a brick wall and green leafy plant.

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

A woman wearing glasses and a dark patterned blouse smiling outdoors with greenery and a stone wall in the background.

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

A woman with a big smile, black curly hair in a high bun, wearing a black shirt with white tiger head designs, earrings, standing outdoors in front of a green leafy plant and a brick wall.

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.

Thitichaya Yaisingboon (Min Min)

A woman with shoulder-length light brown hair, smiling, wearing a maroon fuzzy sweater, standing outdoors in front of green bushes and trees.

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.