Staff & Teachers

Danielle Caputo started at the LCFCC Preschool in September 1996 as the Assistant Director under the direction of Pam Stephens. When Pam retired in 2004, Danielle excitedly stepped in as the Preschool Director. She graduated from California State University, Northridge, in 1988, where she received her degree in Child Development. Danielle grew up in Glendale, where she attended Glendale High School. She has two sons, William (22) & Zane (19), who started at the preschool! Danielle is also the proud stepmom of four adult children and grandmother to eight. She considers her family her proudest accomplishment.

Amy Marotta joined LCFCC Preschool in 2015. She is a graduate of Cal State Northridge, where she earned a BA in Child Development. She has worked in numerous early childhood settings over the last 20+ years, including family nanny, special education assistant, pediatric hospital volunteer, and assistant director at Small World Christian Preschool. Her philosophy is based heavily on the idea that children are hands-on learners and loves to provide opportunities for growth and development through a variety of creative experiences. She has two beautiful daughters – Erin, 16 and Kathryn, 12. The quote from author Peggy O’Mara, “The way we speak to our children becomes their inner voice” has become Amy’s professional motto.

Jane Shirk joined LCFCC Preschool in 2007. She graduated from Sonoma State University with a degree in English Literature and completed her Child Development units at UCLA. Jane loves teaching, volunteering with the “Reading to Kids” organization, hiking, movies, and spending time with her family.

Jane is expected to return for the 2021-22 school year.

Kelly Cook received her degree in Child Development from California State University, Northridge in 1998. She grew up in La Crescenta and attended Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy. She resides in South Pasadena with her husband, Michael, and two daughters, Irene and Lily – both graduates of LCFCC preschool. Kelly’s grandmother Ida Glynn was honored for her service to the Community Center with a memorial plaque at the flagpole. Kelly enjoys traveling to Hawaii with her family, going to the beach, and working out.

Kelly is expected to return for the 2021-22 school year.

Miriam Allcroft earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University in Boston and has been at LCFCC preschool since 2011. Miriam loves every minute of her day as a preschool teacher, especially getting messy! In her free time, she enjoys long-distance running, singing, and hiking with her husband. Miriam has two children, Alexandra (pre-k student) and Nathan (2).

Nicole Mitacek graduated from Pacific Oaks, with a bachelor’s degree in Human Development. Nicole has worked in a variety of settings, including being a nanny, flight attendant, and teacher at Pacific Oaks Preschool for ten years. She was also trained as a therapeutic companion and worked at LCFCC where she assisted children with special needs before becoming a lead in the blue door. Nicole lives in Eagle Rock with her husband, Joe, and two children, Liam (7) and Fiona (6).

Nicole is expected to return for the 2021-22 school year.

Bio coming soon!

Aubri Gibson has been a parent and volunteer at the LCFCC Preschool. She began working as the blue door assistant in 2017. The school has always held a special place in her heart as her two children, Zoe and Ben both graduated from the program and thoroughly enjoyed their experiences at LCFCC. Aubri enjoys the opportunity to work with all the teachers and families and loves to get creative! She has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from St. Mary’s College of California. She enjoys spending time with her husband, two kids and their fur-baby “Coco”, crafting, running and going to the beach.

Aubri is expected to return for the 2021-22 school year.

Sue Archer has been a resident of La Cañada for over 45 years and joined LCFCC Preschool in the fall of 2016. She earned her Early Childhood Development credits from Pasadena City College and Cal State LA. She has over 10 years of preschool experience and has been a nanny for 5 years. Sue has been married 27 years and is a mother to two wonderful young men. She finds true joy in working with young children and being with her family. Sue enjoys spending time with her husband, sons, dogs, friends, and going to movies.

Albina Allen has been with the LCFCC Preschool since the fall of 2002. She loves working with preschool-age children, especially 3-year-olds, because they are so genuine and sweet. She earned her Early Childhood Development credits through UCLA Extension classes. Albina has two sons, Aaron & Kevin, and she loves working in her yard.

Alison McQuay joined the preschool in 2014 as a floater. She has a B.A. in Spanish from Colorado College, and an MBA from USC. Alison has spent many hours volunteering in the classrooms at Palm Crest Elementary over the past several years. Her husband and two teenage daughters keep her very busy.

Born in El Salvador, Aracely Orellana comes from a hard-working family and is the only sister to five brothers. Aracely took ESL classes and earned her high school diploma from EVANS Community Adult School. She continued her education at Pasadena City college, where she completed several Child Development classes. She loves teaching and has been working with preschoolers most of her life, starting with her churches’ Sunday school. Aracely has been with LCFCC Preschool since 2003. She also enjoys traveling, gardening, baking, and spending time with her family and dogs Diego & Flaca.

Sierra Westerholm joined the LCFCC preschool in 2016 and couldn’t be happier to be returning to the Yellow Door for her fifth year. She graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and has spent time volunteering with special education preschoolers. She loves horses, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Lori Deeter started at LCFCC in 2019 as an assistant after taking a hiatus from teaching to raise her two daughters. She spent their school aged years being a devout parent volunteer and now that they are grown, she is excited to be back in the preschool world! Lori has over 25 years’ experience working in Early Childhood Development. She earned her AA degree, Early Childhood Development, and Certifications from Los Angeles Valley College. In her free time, Lori enjoys reading, yoga, spinning, and of course, spending quality time with her friends, husband, and two adult daughters.

Expected to return for the 2021-22 school year.

Susan Rendina worked at the preschool for 10 years while raising her twin daughters. Both girls are now in college. Susan took a few years off to take care of her mom who had dementia, but came back to teach a 3 year olds class in 2020. Susan holds a Bachelors Degree in Child Development from Cal State Northridge and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Arizona State University. Prior to having her twins, Susan worked in long term foster care and adoption , and loved it. She later returned to teaching for more family and life balance. Susan loves children and families! She loves development, and watching children thrive. Her primary goal in the preschool classroom is for children to love school. She also loves messes and glitter!

For information about our COVID-19 Health & Safety Plan, CLICK HERE.

Due to the current surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in L.A. County, we are halting all in-person classes from January 18th-31st.

Staff & Teachers

Danielle Caputo

Amy Marotta

Jane Shirk

Kelly Cook

Miriam Allcroft

Nicole Mitacek

Alison Forest

Aubri Gibson

Suzanne Archer

Albina Allen

Alison McQuay

Aracely Orellana

Sierra Westerholm

Lori Deeter

Rachel McDonald

Susan Rendina

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