13692 Mango Drive
Del Mar, California 92014
(858) 755-8338


Meet our 2010-2011 School Year Staff

Executive Director: Polly Trump

  • Started at DMHNS in 1976
  • BS in Child Development, minor in Child Welfare
  • National Academy of Early Childhood Programs Validator
  • Summer Institute Reggio Emilia (1998)
  • Summer Institute Project Approach (2000)
  • Reggio Emilia Study Tour, Italy (2001 and 2005)
  • Institute for Child Care Design at Harvard University
  • Consultant to Child Development Department, State of California
  • 21 years experience in Early Childhood Education
  • 18 years of experience in Directing
 

Director: Kathleen Pieslor

  • Started at DMHNS in 1995
  • BS in Medical Technology
  • 33 units in Early Childhood Education
  • California Directors certificate (eligible)
  • Summer Institute Reggio Emilia (1998)
  • Reggio Emilia Study Tour, Italy (2001)
  • Member of N.A.E.Y.C.
  • Mother of two (DMHNS alumni)
 

Orff Teacher / Head Teacher in afternoon:
Nancy Mestyanek

  • Started at DMHNS in 1995
  • Certificate in Early Childhood Education
  • Completed Introduction to Orff and Level 1 Orff Instruction
  • Participated in Orff National Convention
  • 10 years prior experience as a Preschool Teacher
  • 5 years prior experience as Director/Teacher
  • Continuing Orff Workshops
  • Mother of two
 

Preschool Teacher: Krista Layland

  • Started at DMHNS in 2003
  • 36 units in ECE
  • 5 years previous experience in ECE
  • Reggio Emilia Study Tour, Italy (2005)
  • Attended the American Orff-Schulwerk Assoc. National Conference, Nov. 2007
  • Continuing education in the field
 

Preschool Teacher: Sunita Varrier

  • Started at DMHNS in 2006
  • Accounting Degree from India
  • Completed 31 units of ECE
  • Worked over 2 years with preschool children in India
  • Mother of two
 

Kindergarten Teacher: Audrey Crespin

  • Started at DMHNS in 2007
  • BA SDSU in interdisciplinary Studies in 3 Departments:
  • M.Ed. National University
  • Liberal Studies emphasis in Child Development/Education and Psychology. Minor in Public Health and Psychology.
  • California Teaching Credential
  • 10 years experience in field
  • Mother of two
 

Preschool Teacher: Pamela Groom

  • Started at DMHNS in 2007
  • Associates degree in Child Development.
  • Continuing education in field
  • Interests: Mini Olympics at Miramar Child Development Center
  • Reading Program volunteer
 

Preschool Teacher: Mijin Hwang

  • Started with DMHNS in 1997
  • BA in Educational Psychology
  • M.Ed. in Special Education
  • 12 units of Early Childhood Education
  • Mother of two alumni of DMHNS
 

Preschool Teacher: George Theissen

  • Started at DMHNS in 2005
  • BA in Psychology (St. John's University, Minnesota)
  • Completed 48 units of ECE
  • Has worked in ECE for over 10 years (UCSD Child Development Center, Sorrento Mesa Kids College, Miramar College Child Development Center)
 

Preschool Teacher: Mya Mannasse

  • Started at DMHNS in 2008.
  • 24 units of Early Childhood Education
  • Early Childhood Literacy Certificate from Pacific Oaks College
  • 5 years of teaching experience
  • Seeking a degree in Nursing
  • Mother of one
  • Loves to cycle and read
 

Preschool Teacher: Jenny Walton

  • Started at DMHNS in 2009
  • B.A. in Social Work from SDSU.
  • 18.5 units of Child Development.
  • Worked with children for over 15 years.
  • Annual participant in 3 day walk for breast cancer.
  • Enjoys running, hiking, yoga, camping, music, arts
 

Preschool Teacher: Yoojin Hong

  • Started at DMHNS in 2009
  • Immigrated from Korea in 1996.
  • B.A. in Japanese Studies from UCSD.
  • Preschool Teacher’s Training and Management Certificate from CA Union University.
  • 18 units of Child Development.
  • Enjoys reading, going to the beach, relaxing at golf courses.
 

Pre-Kindergarten Teacher: Annette Conrad

  • Started at DMHNS in 2010
  • AA in Child Development from Palomar College.
  • 32 Child Development Units.
  • Continuing Education in the field.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Early Childhood Education.
  • Other of 3 children.
  • Outside Interests: reading, biking at the beach, going to beach and river.
 

Preschool Teacher: Nirupa Bhave

  • Started at DMHNS in 2010
  • MA, B.ED from The University of Pune, India.
  • Currently enrolled in Child Development Courses.
  • Mother of 2; 1 child is alumnus of DMHNS.
  • Outside Interests: Cooking, reading, and listening to classical music.
 

Preschool Teacher: Valerie Macken

  • Started at DMHNS in 2010
  • AA in Child Development from Mira Costa Community College.
  • 36 Early Childhood Education Units.
  • Continuing Education in the field.
  • Has been in the field since 1995 at a variety of schools.
  • Mother of 2 sons and 1 daughter.
  • Outside Interests: hiking, camping, sewing, art, music, and board games.
 
   

©2010 Trump's Del Mar Hills Nursery School. Inc.
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