“The best teachers are those who show you where to look but don’t tell you what to see.”
— Alexandra Trenfor
ABOUT US
Missions Hills Community Preschool is a play-based preschool that supports and nurtures children as they construct their own learning, knowledge, and beliefs about the world. We draw inspiration from the Reggio approach, and incorporate our favorite aspects of Waldorf and Montessori, as well.
MHCP was founded in 1971 as a play-based preschool, serving children between the ages of 2 and 5 years. In 2020, Mission Hills Community Preschool became a 501(c)(3).
MEET THE TEAM
Part of what makes Mission Hills Community Preschool so special is our dedicated team of seasoned teachers. Each teacher embodies a sense of warmth, kindness, respect, and nurturing. These qualities are essential to ensuring a positive preschool experience.
Click on the “+” for each of our team members to read more about them!
-
DIRECTOR
Anna has been the Director at MHCP since 2006, and has worked in the field of early childhood education since 1989. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing with an emphasis in Poetry from Pacific University, a BA in Studio Art from UC Santa Cruz and completed 60 units of graduate coursework in Child and Family Studies at SDSU. Anna has two daughters who attended MHCP. Her older daughter graduated from Cal Polytechnic in San Luis Obispo, and works in San Diego as a Mechanical Engineer. Her younger daughter is a senior at UCLA, majoring in Comp Sci/Linguistics.
What Anna enjoys most about working with young children is their honesty, enthusiasm, and openness to trying new things and thinking about things in different ways. She is constantly amazed by their curiosity and creativity, and loves to share music, storytelling, and art with them. She feels fortunate to get to work with such amazing children and families each year.
-
LITTLE HOUSE TEACHER
Lynn began teaching at MHCP in 2002, and has been working with young children for more than 25 years. She holds an Associate’s Degree from Southwestern College as well as a Children’s Center Teacher Permit.
Lynn believes that children learn best through play in a warm and nurturing environment. What she enjoys most about teaching is the curiosity and energy that children bring to the classroom. She also appreciates having the opportunity to work closely and build strong relationships with the preschool families.
-
LITTLE HOUSE TEACHER
Stacey began working at MHCP in 2009, and has been working with young children for 13 years now. She holds a BA in Child Development with a minor in Psychology from Point Loma Nazarene University, and a Master's degree in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College, with a specialization in Early Childhood Education.
Stacey feels that a positive early childhood experience centers around children's interests and explorations She values free-play, child-directed experimentation, (appropriate) risk-taking, reflection, collaboration, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. Her favorite part of teaching is discovering with the children what it means to be a caring friend, kind person, and engaged learner.
-
PRE-K TEACHER
Hannah started working at MHCP in January of 2021, after having worked with young children as a Behavior Therapist with Autism Comprehensive Education Services, and as a youth leader at the YMCA. After 4 years in the US Navy, Hannah attended Southwestern College, where she earned an AA in Social and Behavioral Science. She then went on to Point Loma Nazarene University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Child Development.
Hannah enjoys letting children discover themselves and explore the world around them. She believes that exploration and free-play allow children to develop their creativity, problem-solving skills, and self-confidence. She believes that children are capable of so much, and that all they need is a little guidance.
-
SUBSTITUTE TEACHER
Jazmyne began working at MHCP in the summer of 2023. She completed her BA degree in child development at Point Loma Nazarene University, and has two Child Development Associate degrees as well as an associates degree in American Sign Language. She began working in the field of child development in 2019.
Jazmyne sees children as capable young beings and respects them as individuals with unique strengths and weaknesses. She believes that children learn best through their natural curiosity, play and their experiences of the world around them, and tries to foster this in her teaching. She takes great care in the setting up of the classroom environment and loves seeing the wonder in children’s eyes and sharing in their joy in self accomplishment. Jazmyne believes that we never stop learning and loves the natural creativity that children are so blessed with.
-
OFFICE ASSISTANT
Brenda began working at MHCP as a part-time administrative assistant in 2020. Previously, she worked as a paralegal assistant. Her son graduated from MHCP in 2005, and went on to graduate from UC Berkeley with a degree in Engineering and Computer Science. In her spare time, Brenda enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with her family.