children's center Betsy Gibbs
Educational Background:
BA, French Pomona College
MA, Education, Claremont Graduate School

Position:
Children's Center Director

Experience:
Director of Children's Center since 1974
Previously taught elementary school in La Puente
Taught preschool in New York City

Greatest Rewards:
I enjoy working with an outstanding team in developing our program. We constantly strive to maintain high standards, stay responsive to the changing needs at CSUF and stay current with the research and issues in child development. I feel gratified to hear from parents that they have been able to complete their education partly because of the Children's Center.

Additional Comments
I am married to Bruce Hostetter and have 2 sons. I love to camp, hike and garden.

children's center Bev Vargish
Educational Background:
Bachelors of Arts in Psychology, California State University, Long Beach

Position:
Assistant Director, Children’s Center

Experience:
I first started working with children as a student at CSULB. I worked on campus at the Isabel Patterson Child Development Center for 20 years, first as a student assistant and then after graduation as a Head Teacher, Day Camp Coordinator and Program Coordinator. I have been Assistant Director at the CSUF Children’s Center since 1994.

Philosophy and goals for the children:
In order for children to get the most out of any learning environment they need adults who get to know them as individuals with their own learning style and developmental needs. Positive relationships between teachers and children are the key to developing trust, building self-esteem and designing a responsive, developmentally appropriate curriculum. My goals for the children are that they will feel confident, capable, loved and appreciated for their own uniqueness; and that when they leave this program they will have the skills they need to conquer their world.

Greatest Rewards:
The greatest reward for me in my job as Assistant Director of the Children's Center comes in knowing that when the students graduate and begin their work with children and families, that they will be carrying on what they have learned here at the Children's Center about respect for diversity, the value of freely and respectfully expressing ones feelings and the importance of involving children in their own learning.

Additional Comments:
I am married (to Tim for 30 years) and have a daughter and granddaughter who live in northern California. When not at work I spend my time gardening (and going to gardening workshops), knitting (I’m taking lessons), reading, traveling, scuba diving, cooking gourmet (I try) feasts for family and friends and decorating and redecorating and redecorating my home. My husband calls me a serial hobbyist….. sounds dangerous.
children's center Lydia Palacios
Experience:
I have worked at the Children's Center since 1991. I have worked with all the age groups of children at the Children's Center and have also been the bookkeeper. In addition, my children have graduated from the Children's Center program.


Position:
Office Coordinator, Children’s Center

Educational Background:
Bachelors in Arts in Accounting, Minor in Child Development (1997). Slowly working on obtaining an MBA in Finance and will finish in hopefully sometime in the near future.

Philosophy and goals for the children:
To have a positive influence on children and families I serve and to help them accomplish the goal of earning a degree while supporting them and offering supportive and valuable services.

Greatest Rewards:
I enjoy being able to work with such a diverse population. I learn so much from my co-workers and the children every day. I also enjoy having an influence on a person's ability to attend a university and achieve their educational goals.

Additional Comments:
I am an avid sports fan and enjoy playing coed softball. I also enjoy coaching softball and helping maintain my daughter's travel softball team's website. I am a mother of 4 wonderful children. I enjoy working for ASI and am proud to serve students while they further their education. They are definitely the driving force behind my desire to provide quality childcare to parents pursuing a higher education.
children's center Francee Taylor
Experience:
Children's Center employee since 1991

Position:
Children's Center Cook

Greatest Rewards:
The greatest reward in cooking for the children is that I love the way their faces light up when they see me coming with the food cart. This tells me they love what they eat here!

Additional Comments:
I'm a poet and I dabble in cyber-art. I've had two "poetry on art" pieces published in a magazine. I also enjoy making beaded jewelry. Pieces I have made and sold are on display on the internet.