OUR TEAM
Highly Qualified
Nichelle St. HelenDirector, Teacher
Nichelle has 19 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. Her passion is both teaching and administration. Nichelle has been a part of Discoveryland Preschool since 2018 and loves her community. Nichelle is from the island of Trinidad and Tobago and is happily married with four children. Nichelle is formally trained in Organizational Management, Commercial Art, and Early Childhood Education. Outside of Discoveryland Preschool, she enjoys going to church, spending time with her family, painting, and gardening. 
Jin LucasPreschool Teacher
Jin is a multi-lingual early childhood educator with eight years of experience. After obtaining her credentials in ECE from Diablo Valley College she took a full-time role as an educator in Contra Costa County. Jin comes with an enthusiastic and passionate teaching style which has enabled her to have close and long-lasting relationships with her pupils as well as her peers. Jin’s interpersonal skills and teaching style, with a focus on developing each students’ fundamental skills, creates a solid foundation on which her students will build from for a lifetime of successful learning. Outside of class Jin enjoys gardening, cooking, and travel, she is often found in her garden or experimenting with new cooking styles and techniques in her home. |
Gilda EncarnaciónPreschool Teacher
Dedicated bilingual teacher with the special ability to reach every student and develop in them a love for learning. Demonstrates a talent for designing age-appropriate lessons and activities that teach fundamental academic and socialization skills. Proven ability for offering individualized support, ensuring that all students’ unique needs and goals are met. Enthusiastic, hard working, and motivated educator, with strong communication and interpersonal skills. Cultivates working relationships within the school community. 
Diana BodnaryukPreschool Teacher I speak Spanish, English, Russian, Ukranian and some French. I’m pedagogue; graduated on a bachelor’s degree on Pedagogy-Science of Education in Spain. This is a degree that enables me to understand the psychological-cognitive development and needs of the child and to develop proposals that favor the child's critical, analytical and autonomous thinking through teaching with play (or game). As a pedagogue I’m also qualified for detecting any are learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, memorization problems, difficulties in reading comprehension, auditory and visual problems, intellectual disability, developmental delays or specific disorders such as autism or attention deficit, among others. I have 6 years of experience working as a volunteer with kids. 2 years as a personal tutor for different ages and 1 year as educational counsellor and content manager. In my free time I enjoy photography, reading and spending time with family and friends. |
Nawshaba HafizPreschool Teacher
Hello. My name is Nawshaba Hafiz. I have previously worked for Contra Costa County Early Head Start. I have always had a love for children. I graduated from Long Island University with Bachelor's degree and I am now attending the Early Childhood Education program at Diablo Valley College. I love to meet new people and spend time with my friends and family. My passion in life is to be able to help put a smile on a child’s face and to further their education with my experience. |
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