Suzy Pendon started her career with young children in 1998 doing ABA therapy, working with autistic children as an undergraduate student at UC Irvine. After earning a degree in Psychology in 2001, Miss Suzy began working at a preschool in Long Beach that served special needs children. It was during this time that she obtained her Master Teacher certificate from Long Beach City College. In 2005, Miss Suzy joined the staff at Newport Coast Preschool in Room 1 as an Assistant Teacher; she became the Lead Teacher in 2006 and has loved working with the school’s youngest students since! Miss Suzy was born and raised in the border city of Calexico, California, growing up speaking three languages and fully immersed in a small town rich with culture. She resides in Long Beach with one of two older sisters, and stays active in Orange County with church activities. Miss Suzy takes advantage of her weekends by visiting her parents in Rowland Heights, and her other sister, brother-in-law, and niece in Brea. She loves warm weather, Sunday afternoon naps, organizing, and hula dancing.

Melody Eastman grew up in Orange County and has been an instructor in various forms for over ten years. Her love for teaching began in high school, when she worked as a gymnastics and cheerleading coach. While attending Azusa Pacific University, Miss Melody volunteered in a special needs community called Younglife, she interned at a youth camp in Hawaii, and taught elementary children in Africa. After graduating, she taught English abroad for two years in South Korea and Indonesia. During this time she realized her passion to educate and teach children of all ages; she joined NCCDP in 2019 as an assistant teacher. In her free time, Miss Melody enjoys surfing, playing ukulele, and being with her family!

Kimberly Christensen’s passion for playing a vital role in the shaping of young children’s lives started at an early age. As a teenager she was a mother’s helper and in high school she volunteered as a Kindergarten Teacher’s aide. During her time at Cerritos College she worked as a Preschool Teacher’s assistant in Huntington Beach. Upon completing her Early Childhood Education Certification became a Lead Teacher for 2- to 3-year-olds for six years before moving to a Pre-K class. Most recently Miss Kim has been a stay-at-home mom to her daughter, Julia. She is extremely excited to be back in the classroom, joining the Room 1 team in 2018. Her hobbies include frequent trips to Disneyland and the beach, educating others on the power of essential oils, as well as studying and practicing mindfulness.

Larissa Chernishov joined the NCCDP team in 2011 as an Assistant Teacher, and took the Lead role in Room 2 in 2014. While studying Early Childhood at Fullerton College, she worked at a preschool/daycare for 7 years. There she gained experience with a variety of ages, from infancy to 2nd grade, and she learned that her real joy is in the 3-year-old classroom. She loves engaging the children and being an important part of such a formative year. Miss Larissa comes from a large family and enjoys spending time with them. She loves to go fishing, hiking, camping and exploring California’s many beautiful natural landmarks.

Lauren Heinz has loved teaching preschool since 2008, when she finished her Early Childhood Education at Orange Coast College. In 2013, Miss Lauren was hired as an Assistant Teacher in Room 2 at Newport Coast Preschool. She loves the children, environment, staff, and wonderful families that come to NCCDP. Miss Lauren grew up in Orange County and feels so lucky to live in such a beautiful place with amazing beaches. She enjoys spending time with family, serving at church, and swimming in the ocean.

Rachel Bonhall is an Orange County native and has been working in the Early Childhood education field since 2014. She taught at the developmental preschool at Orange Coast College, where she also received her Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Miss Rachel joined Room 2 in the summer of 2019 and looks forward to making connections with new families. She enjoys girls’ trips, new experiences, and traveling to see her east coast family.

Deserie Davis began her relationship with NCCDP as a parent – her two youngest children attended preschool here! She came on staff as a Substitute Teacher in 2010, quickly moving into full time positions and landing as Room 3 Lead Teacher in 2012. Ms. Deserie earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development at San Jose State University. She lives in Newport Beach with her three children ages 17, 13 and 10. Her hobbies include yoga, fitness and the beach.

Morgan Cook is originally from Northern CA and moved to Southern CA when she was cast as a Dancer with Disney performing in shows and parades. She attended CSULB as Dance Performance major. While she was there, she took a class called Dance For Children where Miss Morgan found she had a niche and joy for teaching young children. She went back to school to study early childhood development and is so excited to have joined the NCCDP family in 2016! Miss Morgan is currently a children’s recreational and competitive dance instructor, a Disney dancer, and works in professional theatre/dance throughout OC and LA. She enjoys volunteering and advocating for organizations such as The Giving Keys and The Kind Campaign.

Amanda Valenti joined Newport Coast Preschool in 2005; much of that time has been as the Assistant Teacher in Room 4’s PreK program. Mrs. Valenti holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Adolescent Studies from Cal State Fullerton. Prior to NCCDP, she taught in Montessori programs since the age of 15! Born and raised in Southern California, Mrs. Valenti currently resides in Irvine with her husband and daughter, and their pug Barkley. In her free time, she shops, exercises, and loves to craft.

Jackie Sheehy has been with the NCCDP family since 2013 and was originally the administrative assistant/substitute teacher. Through those subbing opportunities, she realized that the classroom is, and always has been, where her true passion is. She is thrilled to be Lead PreK Teacher in Room 4. Mrs. Sheehy earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from Cal State San Bernardino, and truly enjoys reading stories to children while exposing them to new words and storylines. She met her husband at an Angels baseball game in 2006 (she is an avid Dodgers fan) and they married in 2012. She enjoys attending all types of sporting events, taking her dog to the beach, and singing along to the music at rock concerts with her husband.

Angela Estrada joined team Newport Coast Preschool in 2010, as a part time teacher. Mrs. Angela earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Development, as well as her teaching credential from Cal State University, Fullerton. Prior to finding a home at NCCDP, she was a group counselor for the County of Orange, an Elementary School Teacher, and a stay at home mom to her two delightful children. Her experience over the last 20 years has centered on building character and empowering growing minds. In her free time, Mrs. Angela enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and engaging in a variety of outdoor activities.

Jessica Winger is originally from the small town of Monroe, Michigan, where she taught for four years at a curriculum-based preschool before moving to sunny California. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Science and Social Studies from Saginaw Valley State University, then obtained her professional teaching certificate and Early Childhood endorsement.  Miss Winger has always had a strong passion for working with children and began teaching at sixteen, to students in a first grade Catechism classroom. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the beach, hiking, listening to country music, photography, and writing.

Sabrina Hill graduated from Cal State Fullerton in 2012 with a Bachelors Degree in Child Adolescent Development. She has always had a passion for working with children and has been teaching since she was 14. Mrs. Hill was working as a dance instructor teaching ballet and tap to all ages when she realized she wanted to be in the classroom full-time. Since then, she has worked in many preschool classrooms, as a lead teacher in a Jr. Kindergarten class, and as an assistant instructor to 5th and 6th graders with the Orange School District’s Music and Performing Arts Program. She lives in Los Alamitos with her husband and spends her free time traveling, painting, and going to baseball games.

Kristina Sad (pronounced sah-jee) joined the NCCDP staff in 2015 as an assistant teacher and was promoted to Lead in 2018. She studied Child Development at The University of San Diego and furthered her studies abroad in English as a Second Language. She taught English to children ages 4-13 in five different countries, Brazil being her most recent international teaching experience. At home between her international studies, she taught preschool and Kindergarten locally. Mrs. Sad is an Orange County native and remains close to her family. In her spare time she enjoys being outdoors, hiking, and tending to her succulent garden.

Jill St. Geme grew up in Orange County and graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in Communication. She always knew that she wanted to work with children and after working at NCCDP while home from college in the summers, decided that she wanted to be a preschool teacher. After graduating, she studied Early Childhood Education and completed her units through UCLA while substitute teaching. Miss St. Geme joined Room 2 in 2016, and moved into PreK in 2019. She enjoys spending time with her many siblings, family and friends, going to the beach, and cooking!

Taryn Jones began her teaching career as an assistant teacher for children with autism and ADHD, focusing on social, emotional, and academic skills. During this time, she earned a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. For 7 years, she taught Kindergarten at a private school in Placentia, where she developed an academic Kindergarten program that stresses the importance of communication: written and oral. In 2002, the Orange County Register named her Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Jones joined Newport Coast Child Development Preschool in 2006 to teach Junior Kindergarten and in 2013 added the role of Curriculum Coordinator. While teaching Junior K, she realized her passion for teaching children to read and went on to complete a Master’s Degree in Education at Cal State Fullerton, and earn a Reading Specialist credential. On campus, you will see Mrs. Jones break into song or dance; she is known for her enthusiastic teaching strategies, entertaining children and parents alike. In her spare time Mrs. Jones enjoys hot yoga, walking around Balboa Island or trying the bevy of new restaurants in Orange County with her husband, Ryan and two children, Rylyn and Quinn – both of whom attended NCCDP!

Stephanie Berger is a Southern California native. Her first and foremost passion has always been children. Mrs. Berger began her NCCDP journey in 2000 when the first of her three children started in the program . During that time, she served several years on Parent Council and volunteered at each of her children’s schools thereafter. Mrs. Berger has recently gone back to school to pursue Early Childhood Education. She feels extremely fortunate to return to NCCDP family as a teacher. She enjoys baseball, the beach, cooking and treasures her time with her family.