DAVID PRESCHOOL TEAM
Meet Our Director
Gail Goldstein
Morah Gail has been working in the field of education for over 25 years. She earned her BA degree in Psychology with a focus on Child Development & her Elementary Education Credentials from Emory University. Gail completed her Early Childhood Credential at UCLA. Her teaching experience includes working as a Kindergarten, 1st, & 2nd grade teacher for LAUSD and as a preschool teacher at Sand Tots Nursery School. She also has experience teaching religious school as a preschool teacher at Congregation Tikvat Jacob and an elementary age teacher at Temple Shalom of the South Bay. Gail is the proud mom of four children, Morgan (24), Zachary (22), Adam (19) and Emery (17).
Our Ducklings Teachers (ages 2-3)
Kennia Pineda - lead teacher
Kennia Pineda earned her AA in Social and Behavioral Sciences and Early Childhood Education at Los Angeles Harbor College. She has been at the David Preschool for three years and previously worked at the Child Development Center at LAHC campus where she also did her practicum.
Kennia is a mom to two girls Natalia (14 years old) and Arya (4 years old). She knows how important it is for children to feel safe and welcomed in their classroom.
Lucia Parra - assistant teacher
Lucia has been working at the David Preschool for 6 years. She is currently attending Los Angeles Harbor College to continuing her passion in working with young children. She enjoys doing creative art with the children. Her specialty is making slime with the kids. Lucia also loves to go on hikes and spend time with her family. She has a dog, a snake, and two goldfish. She has a little sister and a little brother; her brother is currently in the army and her little sister just got married. What she loves the most about David preschool is the smiles on the children’s faces.
Mira Valliere - assistant teacher
Mira has over 23 years of teaching experience in the early childhood education field. She earned her ECE credentials at Harbor College. Mira has been at the David Preschool for 5 years as a year-round teacher and worked several summer camps prior to joining the staff. Mira loves seeing the sense of joy when children are engaged in learning and feeling proud of their accomplishments. Mira is a mom of Lillie (24) and Sam (22).
Our Pandas Teachers (ages 3-4)
Cheyanne Squires - lead teacher
Cheyanne has 11 years teaching experience in the field of early childhood education. She earned her ECE credentials from El Camino College. Cheyanne taught as the Lead Teacher of the 3/4 year old class at Sand Tots Preschool in Redondo Beach.
Cheyanne is the proud mom of Zane (8) and Knox (6).
Gabriela Figuroa - assistant teacher
Gabby is a California native. She is the oldest of three siblings and has the cutest beagle whose name is Lady! She graduated from CSULB in 2020 with a BA in Child Development and is working towards her Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. She has a true passion for working with children, she has been working alongside young children for three years now. She volunteered at Miller Children’s Hospital of Long Beach in the Child Life department before the pandemic and hopes to be able to return soon.
Our Eagles Teachers (ages 4-5)
Devin Hernandez - lead teacher
Devin has been working in the field of Early Childhood Education for 10 years. She studied at California State University, Long Beach where she earned a Masters Degree in Education with a focus in Early Childhood Education as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Family Studies and Child Development. Prior to teaching at the David Preschool, Devin gained teaching experience through practicum courses at both LA Harbor College Child Development Center (LAHC CDC) and CSULB Child and Family Center. Devin was previously employed at LAHC CDC, where she gained experience working with children ages 2 ½ - 5 ½. She now serves as a community partner to LA Harbor College child development department, mentoring student teachers who are pursuing a future working in early education. Devin values the early developing years in a child's life and strategically implements activities that foster the physical, social-emotional, and cognitive growth in children. She believes that children become successful life long learners when they are encouraged to problem solve, be independent, and think critically in an environment they feel nurtured and supported in.
Catherine Melendez - assistant teacher
Catherine started her childcare education career at the Los Angeles Harbor College Child Development Center, where she worked for four years. She has an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and is now pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education at California State University Dominguez Hills. Catherine's passion has always been interacting with children. She enjoys watching children learn and grow and is excited to share her knowledge to help each child based on their individual needs. Fun Fact about Catherine she loves watching the sunset.
Licensing
All preschools in the State of California must be licensed by the Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing. The David Preschool is in full compliance of all requirements and regulations.
The David Preschool License Number is 191603320.