Bio

Jenny has been working with children, parents, and teachers since 1996. Teaching has always been her passion. She obtained her B.A. in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Special Education from Cal State Dominguez Hills, her Directors Permit from UCLA, and her Infant & Toddler Director's Credential from the University of Wyoming. Jenny was awarded The Cambridge Who's Who of Executives and Professionals 2007/2008 for her work in implementing the Reggio Emilia philosophy at a preschool nestled in the Tetons just outside of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where she created a science-based curriculum for more than 100 children a day. She was a site supervisor for Leeway Sailing Center in Long Beach, where children learned to swim, sail, canoe, and kayak. Her love of teaching has taken her on many travels - in Egypt, Jenny was an international nanny, and in Costa Rica, she studied Spanish at a university while living with a family. She is honored to be working on the campus of California State University Fullerton and her continued passion for teaching children, parents, and teachers can be seen at the Children’s Center on a daily basis.

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Educational Background:

Bachelors of Arts in Psychology, California State University, Long Beach

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.

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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.

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.

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Dana joined the Children's Center in January 2011, after ten years of teaching elementary school and twenty years of working in the food service industry. So for Dana, this job is the best of both worlds. Dana started cooking at the age of four and has not stopped yet. After graduating from California Polytechnic University Pomona in Business Administration/Hotel Restaurant Management, Dana then became the Production Chef for Marriott at the Weyerhaeuser Head Quarters in Federal Way, Washington. Eventually Dana, her husband Greg and their two daughters moved back to California. Dana loves the fact that the menu is incorporating more whole foods and vegetables. The best day at work at the Children’s Center is everyday!

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Education:
B.A. Sociology/B.A. Social Sciences, University of California, Irvine - 1997
M.A. Elementary Education, Specialization in Early Childhood Education, CSU Long Beach – 2007

Experiences:
I worked for 7 years as an Infant-Toddler teacher at the UC Irvine Infant and Toddler Center. I worked several years as a preschool teacher and substitute at both private and public institutions. While pursuing my Master’s Degree at Cal State Long Beach, I worked for the Los Angeles Unified School District in their Program for Education Research Branch working on various research projects focusing on Charter schools. My position at the Children’s Center is funded through a 4-year federal grant called CCAMPIS, Child Care Access Means Parents in School program. I have been working at the Children’s Center since Fall 2009.

Philosophy:
I am passionate about the field of early childhood education. I believe that high quality early childhood education and care creates a strong learning foundation for children as they grow and develop. I believe that children learn optimally when given opportunities to play, explore and engage in their environment in meaningful ways with others. I belief that establishing strong, supportive relationships with caring adults helps to build children’s understanding of themselves and the world in which they live. The work of the early childhood educator is at both times challenging and greatly rewarding. I continue to enjoy working collaboratively with other ECE professionals who share my passion and commitment to promoting and improving early childhood education for children and their families.