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!
Catherine Lanni studied Sociology with an emphasis in Education and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from UC Santa Barbara. Mrs. Lanni’s passion for teaching began in elementary school when she declared she wanted to be a teacher. She nannied for multiple families, ran kid camps, and babysat throughout high school and college and she loves to nurture growing minds. In 2005 Mrs. Lanni joined the Newport Coast team as a break teacher then taught as an assistant and was the Lead Teacher in Rooms 3 and 6. She is thrilled to be back in Room 7 after taking a short break in 2016. Her hobbies include spending time with her two young boys and husband either at the beach, Balboa Island, or heading to Disneyland.