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


Meet our 2008-2009 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
 

Morning Assistant Director: 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
 

Kindergarten Teacher: Debbie Tom

  • Started at DMHNS in 1991
  • BA in Social Studies (SDSU)
  • California Teaching Credential
  • Montessori Training
  • 11 years experience as YMCA Program Director
  • Mother of two
 

Pre-K Teacher: Lara Anderson

  • Started at DMHNS in 2006
  • BA in Psychology and Education Studies, Washington University
 

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
 

Preschool 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
  • 22 units of 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: Leah Besen

  • Started at DMHNS in 2008
  • BS in Psychology from Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo
  • MS in Social Work (emphasis in children & families) SDSU
  • Certificate in Play Therapy from UCSD Extension
  • Loves to travel and walk her dog Daisy.
 

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 Mannassee

  • 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: Josie Espinoza

  • Started at DMHNS in 2008
  • Completed 15 modules at United States Air Force Program Assistant Certification Program (Child Development).
  • Seeking her BA in Elementary Education.
  • 2 years teaching experience at Hanscom AFB Child Development Center.
  • Mother of 2.
  • Loves to go to the beach, read, and exercise

 

   
   

©2006 Trump's Del Mar Hills Nursery School. Inc.