Meet the Staff

Ms. April

My love for working with children has spanned 40 plus years beginning as a babysitter, nanny, tutor, High School English and Reading Teacher, Infant/Toddler Director/Lead Teacher at LittleLiving Daycare, Vista Unified Substitute Teacher for TK-HS; mainly TK-K; Teacher at Nature Preschools and a Crafts and Mosaic Teacher for children - adults.

I was fortunate to grow up in rural Connecticut where I experienced 4 distinct seasons with nearly every type of weather.  I freely explored the woods, a brook and a swamp located on our property.  We swung from vines, climbed trees, built leaf and snow forts and caught bugs, toads and tadpoles.  We had a huge vegetable garden and learned about seed to harvest to canning and freezing, and jam and jelly making, baking and cooking; we tapped our Maple trees and made syrup.  My Mom and Grandfather were green thumb gardeners. We went hiking on the Native American trails and found arrowheads.  We camped every summer.  My Uncle was a Science Teacher and an avid Rock Hound, I inherited these two bugs from him.  It was only natural that I would pursue a life as a Teacher, artist, gardener, and nature lover.  I am excited to share my enthusiasm with our youth.  

Education/Qualifications

• BA in English from University of Connecticut; emphasis on teaching.
• Current CA Professional Clear Teaching Credential in English;  CA State LA. 
• Ongoing Early Childhood and Preschool Director training
• Completed Early Childhood coursework via the YMCA CCI Program
• CPR/First Aid/Preventative Health Practices certified

Teaching Experience

• High School English Teacher/Reading Lab Coordinator & Teacher
• 2013- 2018 Owner /Director/ Lead Teacher at LittleLiving Daycare-- Reggio Emilia inspired infant/ toddler/Pre K learning center
• 2.5 years Pre K - 3rd grade Nature School Teacher
• 2019 - Current Substitute Teacher for grades Pre K - HS; mainly TK- K at Vista Unified

qualifications Atelierisa (running the arts program)

• Taught mosaics and Arts & Crafts to Pre K - Adult 
• Certificate Interior Design Palomar College
• Mosaic Tile Artist over 25 years
• Public Art Project : African Tapestry at Market Creek Plaza in San Diego
  • Coordinated, supervised, mentored & worked alongside 3 artists on 850 s.f. cultural mosaic for the Jacobs Center for Non Profit.

The LittleLiving Story:

My experience as a high school teacher at LAUSD left me disheartened with our education system. I took a long hiatus from teaching to explore other options (read more about it in my blog). I often missed teaching and after being a Nanny to an infant for a year I realized that I should return to teaching but to the youngest end of the learning spectrum, where I could foster a solid educational start.

I opened LittleLiving  in 2012.  Here I worked with children full of curiosity and desire for learning.  I built solid foundations, instilled the joy of reading and learning,  identified  issues early, worked together with parents  and  prepared these children for a lifetime of success. The children and families formed long term bonds that continue today.   

I closed my program in 2018 due to chronic sinus issues. Thanks to Covid, my diagnosis and resultant surgeries were delayed several times and when I finally got care, it was a long healing process.   I spent my time writing, working as a Substitute Teacher; a Teacher at a few local Nature Schools and working on a new structure and curriculum plan for LittleLiving.

 I've reopened with a focus on a new Seasonal Nature Preschool - Kinder aged Program with Afternoon Atelier (creation workshops) and Summer Camps for Preschool - early Elementary aged students.

I look forward to helping your little one blossom by providing a homelike, safe, nature and arts infused environment with a small student to teacher ratio of no more than 6 to 1 (8 to 1 for Camp and Atelier) where your little can play, learn, explore and bond with nature and express themselves through play and art.