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.

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!

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).

Kristin Nagasawa has been working with children for over 20 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Child Development from California State University, Northridge and began teaching preschool in 2003. She took a short break after having each of her daughters and is so excited to be back in the classroom again. She first fell in love with LCFCC Preschool when her own daughter attended the school nine years ago and loved every minute of the years spent teaching at LCFCC. Her favorite part of teaching is watching the children grow and blossom into healthy, happy, and confident learners! In her spare time she likes to travel, watch movies, and spend time with her husband and daughters Alexa (13) and Stella Rey (3).

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.

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.

Staff & Teachers

Danielle Caputo

Amy Marotta

Susan Rendina

Kelly Cook

Miriam Allcroft

Kristin Nagasawa

Alison Forest

Aubri Gibson

Suzanne Archer

Albina Allen

Alison McQuay

Aracely Orellana

Lori Deeter

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