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Play. Learn. Shine.
Our Staff
Ms. Kim - Director
I have been teaching and learning from children since 1993. My experience ranges from teaching children in a home day care, to working for the cities of San Francisco and San Luis Obispo as a Recreation Director for 9 years, collectively. I have over 50 units in Early Childhood education, as well as a BA in English, and I am a Certified Children's Yoga instructor.
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As long as I can remember, my dream has been to open a school where the whole child can be nurtured - a school that views the child as a competent, aware, imaginative, capable individual, who possesses a desire to interact and communicate with others, and to belong to a loving community.
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I opened this school in my home in 2011 with just 6 children. We have now grown into two licensed child care centers with a capacity for 60 children at each site - a dream come true! I am excited to get to know your child and begin our journey together.
Mr. Vance- Site Supervisor at Mindbody
Greetings! I am honored and excited to work with you and your children on our journey to making lifelong memories through play, exploration, music, dance, art, and freedom of creativity. In my 20 plus years of working with youth, I have cherished the uniqueness that every individual brings into the community. We will navigate through our classroom experience recognizing how to work together through positive guidance, good manners, fairness, listening skills, respect for the environment and each other, and being caretakers and good stewards (clean up). Through the years, I have worked in many different childcare environments from preschool through school age. I have directed and managed City of San Luis Obispo child care programs (Sun N Fun/STAR), taught in a private preschool learning center, directed vacation camps, mentored in overnight camps, worked with children with special needs, and directed childcare programs for the YMCA. Through these experiences, I have incorporated my love and passion for music into my curriculum to enhance learning. Music has impacted my life in so many positive ways and I love sharing it with anyone who will listen. I am proud to be part of such a great team and environment.
Mr. Bryan - Mindbody Site Supervisor
Hello! I was born in Los Angeles, California and raised in Mexico. My family moved to Mexico when I was 3 months old and decided to move back to the United States when I was 12. When I entered school here in the United States, I was only able to compose a simple sentence in English that would allow people to know my name. Overall, it was a difficult process because I could not communicate as well as I wanted to at school. This experience played a major role in why I have an interest in pursuing a career that includes helping children. My interest grew when I began working as a Sunday school teacher at my local church, which I continue to enjoy doing. I also taught at another local preschool before this. I was the first of my entire family to attend college, and obtained an AA in Early Childhood Education. During my free time, I enjoy spending time with my wife and daughter, Eva, traveling, hiking and spending time with our families.
Ms. Leah - Mindbody Co-Site Supervisor
Hi! I'm Leah Figueroa, and I am so excited to be a part of the Bright Life Playschool family as the new co-site supervisor at the Mindbody campus.
I've in the childcare field for over 12 years. From helping my mom prepare crafts for her pre-K classroom to directing programs of my own, my passion for early childhood education has only deepened. I’ve had the opportunity to work in both traditional preschool settings and aftercare programs, always prioritizing safety, empathy, and advocacy for both kids and.
Two years ago, my family and I—my husband Jesse, our son Judah (5), and daughter Elena (3)—moved to SLO County from Orange County. I had the pleasure of directing a local preschool here and am now thrilled about this new opportunity at Bright Life. When I'm not working, you can find us playing at the beach in Morro Bay or enjoying Mexican food at our favorite restaurant. I also love hosting friends, reading, crocheting, and hunting for treasures at thrift stores. I'm excited to get to know the community here at Bright Life and look forward to connecting with you all!
Ms. Sammi - Peapods' Lead-Teacher
I have lived on the Central Coast my entire life, and I was a nanny for three kids, all under the age of five, for two years. I enjoyed watching them learn through play and exploration, which sparked my passion for teaching in new, innovative ways. I love it here at Bright Life with all the wonderful teachers and families!
Ms. Cecile - Pea Pods' Co-Teacher
I live in AG with my husband and 3 kids! With two about to graduate high school, and one entering elementary, I spend most of my time as a personal chauffeur. I graduated from Folsom Lake College with my degree in Early Childhood Education and really enjoy the creativity and imagination that this role brings every day. It has been a privilege to work with different age groups, from the youngest infants to school-age children, always learning something new from each child. I have been continuing to take more classes to further develop my career!
Ms. Iridian - Pea Pods' Teacher Assistant
My name is Iridian McIlveen and I was born in Mexico City. I came to the US when I was nine years old with a passion for learning. In less than a year, I began speaking fluent English. From there, I pursued my education all the way to Chico State University with my eyes on a career in Psychology.
I have since worked with special needs kids, as well as, teaching Spanish.
My whole life changed in Summer 2024, when my husband and I had our first child. I am excited to learn with the kids and peruse more Child Development classes to learn more about children!
Ms. Amber - Sprouts' Lead Teacher
Hello, I have been devotedly working with children and their families since 2011. I began my career as a teacher working with middle school students from low-income families, where I ran speech and debate, music, and a cooking class. From there, I found my way to the children I am most passionate about teaching: preschoolers! I started working as a lead teacher at the Jewish Community Center in Palo Alto, where I grew and learned so much. Coming from the Bay Area, I was able to enjoy the diversity of many different cultures and experiences. When I moved to the Central Coast, I transitioned into working with the littles, in the infant department at Mindbody. There, I found a whole new way of teaching and connecting with babies and their families. Now I am continuing this amazing journey with Bright Life! I have worked with every age group from 0-5 years of age. I am continuing my schooling program at ASU for social work, as supporting families is a true calling of mine. I am excited to share this knowledge and experience with your children as we explore the world around us. I am adventurous, love music, cooking, and being outdoors. I love to bring my passions into the classroom! I am committed to giving children a safe and nurturing environment. I am so happy to be a part of this community!
Ms. Cindy - Sprouts' Co-Teacher
Hello! I was born and raised here on the Central Coast, but I also spent half my childhood in Mexico. My husband and I are first-time parents to a beautiful little boy. As a family, we love to go on road trips, enjoy the outdoors, and spend time with our families. I have worked with children of many ages as a nanny, Behavioral Therapist, and Preschool Teacher. I have a Bachelor's degree in Child and Adolescent Studies from Cal State Fullerton, with a concentration in Family and Community Contexts. My passion is to support children's creativity, and getting to know each one of them is important to give them the right tools to succeed. My goal has always been to provide a safe, comfortable, and fun environment for children and their families.
Ms. Emily-Sprouts' Teacher Assistant
Hi! I'm from South San Francisco, CA. I am currently finishing my last quarter at Cal Poly as a Liberal Studies major! After receiving my Bachelor's degree from Cal Poly, I plan on pursuing my masters and teaching credentials. I am honored to be a part of the Bright Life Family! I love spending my time at the beach and love to explore around SLO to find hidden nature gems. I have also been getting into crocheting and reading
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Ms. Cami- Poppyseeds' Lead Teacher
I began teaching in 2003 at the Tiny Tigers program at SLO High. I have since earned a BA in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in Young Child and Family, and worked and learned in several excellent Bay Area preschools. The amazing colleagues, families, and children I have worked with over the years, including at Google Children’s Center, have taught me so much, regarding both childcare and life, and I am always excited to learn more. I believe every child has something amazing to teach me, and is already a whole person who will thrive with respect and love.
My family and I moved back to SLO in Summer 2023 to reunite with extended family where my husband and I grew up. We love exploring the area with our two kids, visiting all parks and beaches.
Ms. Ashley- Poppyseeds' Co-Teacher
Hi! My name is Ashley Dugger and I just moved here from Flagstaff, AZ where I got my Bachelor's degree in Psychological Sciences. Since 2022 I worked as a teacher at a preschool in Flagstaff, as well as doing both years of summer camp. My specialty and passion is working with young children, as I have three younger sisters it has always been something I love to do. I am so excited to start the school year with all of you, and I am looking forward to a great year!
Ms. CoryAnne- Poppyseeds' Co-Teacher
Hi, my name is CoryAnne and I’m so excited to be a part time teacher here at Bright Life! I earned my AS in Early Childhood Education in 2015 and have been working with children and families ever since. I have a background in musical theatre which translates well into teaching preschool as I’m exuberant, creative and animated! I graduated from CSU Northridge in May 2024 with my BA in Child & Adolescent Development and have just started graduate school online in pursuit of my teaching credential and masters degree. I hope to one day to teach elementary school and work with youth theatre. Fun fact: I attended preschool in Malaysia when my family lived overseas.
Ms. Ivy- Assistant teacher /Infant Rooms support
Greetings! I am thrilled to join the amazing team of teachers here at Bright Life Play School. I studied Spanish and Education in college, and have had the privilege of working with and nurturing children of all ages throughout my life. After working as a middle and high school teacher in Tennessee for several years, I am now very grateful for the opportunity to return to my passion of working with younger children here in the beautiful San Luis Obispo. I love the curiosity, awe, and playfulness of young minds, and I whole-heartedly embrace the opportunity to explore and learn alongside these precious young children placed in our care.
Ms. Morgan - Mudpies' Lead Teacher
Hello! I am so grateful to be a part of the Bright Life community! It’s a gift to be able to help your children grow, and to foster a nurturing learning environment through play, creativity, curiosity, imagination and so much more.
I grew up in Frazier Park, which was a small, tight-knit community full of friends and family. Our home never had a quiet moment considering I was the youngest of nine. Being a part of such a big family helped spark my interest in childcare. I sought opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of children, and have been working with kids since 2019!
I relocated to Pismo Beach in June of 2020 to live with my sister and continue my education at Cuesta college. I graduated with my AA in Social and Behavioral science.
During my freetime, I love to garden, read, be with my family, and explore the outdoors with my puppy as much as possible!
Ms. Daisy - Raindrops' Lead Teacher
Hello everyone! I am from Guadalupe, a small town
along the California coast. I grew up alongside three older brothers and my mom and dad. As I reflect back, I always enjoyed learning, and as I grew older, I found myself helping in the classroom and guiding young ones. As a teenager, I volunteered in after-school programs and realized I was meant to be in a classroom helping children explore in a safe, supportive environment. I knew that there was absolutely nothing else I wanted to do. I decided to obtain my B.A In Early Childhood Studies from California State University Channel Islands. This was a huge accomplishment for me since I was the first one in my family to attend college and get my
degree. My main goal is to provide an environment where children feel safe to explore, observe, play, make a mess, laugh, and learn! I strive to let our children know that they are capable of so
much, and can do anything that they set their minds to. In my free time, I enjoy reading, knitting,
baking, going to new places, and spending time with my family.
Ms. Sarah- Raindrops' Co-Teacher
Hello everyone! I am from Fresno California – go Bulldogs!!! I relocated to Cayucos with my family. My 11-year-old son is my pride and joy, as are my four cats. Well what can I say? I just love them! I have been working with children since 2005, from Clovis Unified, to private school, and now Bright Life Playschool. I feel I am talented in early childhood education, and professional, with diverse experiences in planning and implementing various activities. I always promote physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth of children. I'm looking forward to many adventures with your children, and a great year ahead.
Ms. Kenna- Rainbows' Lead Teacher
Hello! My name is Ms. Kenna, and I am thrilled to introduce myself as a preschool teacher. Over the past year and a half, I’ve had the joy of working with Preschool age children, and prior to that, I spent six years working closely with children in various capacities and ages. I recently graduated from Cuesta College in May 2024, earning my associate's degree in early childhood education. My ultimate aspiration is to become an elementary teacher, where I can foster a safe and nurturing environment that inspires children to be curious and eager learners.
Teaching has been my dream since I was just five years old, and I am incredibly excited to continue pursuing this passion at Bright life. I look forward to continuing to know each child in my class and helping them learn and grow in a safe place. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy gardening, cooking, and baking—activities that not only bring me joy but also allow me to cultivate creativity and share experiences with friends and family. I can't wait to get to know you all and make lasting memories with your wonderful children!
Ms. Rebecca- Rainbows' Teacher Assistant
Hi! I am Rebecca, I was raised in Paso Robles and live in Los Osos. I am a passionate preschool teacher dedicated to nurturing young minds and creating a joyful learning environment. I am also a student at Chico State (online) striving towards my elementary teaching credentials! Outside the classroom, I thrive in the great outdoors, spending my days by the lake or soaking up the sun at the beach. I love paddle boarding and hiking, always seeking new adventures and a connection with nature. I also enjoy writing poetry, yoga, and baking brownies. I love to be around my big, loving family, who are my greatest supporters. I take pride in being an auntie to 8 wonderful nieces and nephews! I have a warm heart and a zest for life, I bring creativity and enthusiasm both to my students and my personal pursuits.
Ms. Morgan Hall-Floating Teacher
Hi there! I am so excited to be part of the Bright Life family! I grew up in Creston, California on a small farm/vineyard. I have had the amazing opportunity to work with kids of all ages over many years through 4-H, FFA, and childcare. I have over three years of experience working in a preschool setting and am excited for more to come. I am currently a student at Cuesta College, where I will be completing my Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education. My next goal in my education is to finish my Bachelor's degree at Cal Poly and enter their Masters of Agricultural Education and Teaching Credentials Program. In my free time, I love to camp, explore the wilderness, cook, snowboard, do some photography, and spend time with my family and friends. I can not wait to meet all of your kiddos and be a part of their journey here at Bright Life!
Ms. Caren-Substitute Teacher
Hi! I’m thrilled to join Bright Life Playschool as a substitute teacher to support the dedicated staff at both locations. I have spent 10 years in early childhood education as the owner/educator in a home-based setting in Tehachapi, CA and 2 years here in San Luis Obispo county as an assistant preschool teacher.
One of my goals at Bright Life is to create loving and respectful relationships with each child and their family. I am passionate about children becoming independent and confident learners. Activities I most enjoy doing with them are process art, exploring nature, reading, singing, and snuggling! I will be spending my time both at Bright Life, and back in Tehachapi.
In my free time, I enjoy playing fetch with my Golden, cooking, camping, playing cards, and going to concerts with family and friends.
Ms. Taylor-Substitute Teacher
Hello everyone! I previously worked at Bright Life, before taking a few years to focus on my own family, then returning in 2024 to help throughout the school.
I graduated from Fresno Pacific University with my Bachelors in Early Childhood Development. The focus of my degree was learning to teach using Reggio Emelia, Montessori, and Waldorf methods. My education also had a strong emphasis on helping children build social and emotional skills through self regulation.
My favorite hobbies are art in any form, being outdoors, and traveling with my family. My husband and I have two upper elementary age children, Noah (a Bright Life graduate!), and Hartlynn, and many animals. I am excited to be a part of the Bright Life family!
Ms. Jo - Remote Administrative Coordinator
Hi! My name is Jo and I have been working at Bright Life since 2021. I am a former educator turned administrator and communications coordinator who works behind the scenes to ensure the systems that are in place work smoothly for all staff and on-site administrators. I also take care of our website, social media, and partake in event marketing efforts. I love working for a school that holds so much respect for children and their individual development, and prides itself in having created a warm and close-knit community of children, families, and staff!
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