Uniquely Qualified Teachers
The teachers at Young Minds Learning Academy all share the same passion and dedication for teaching young children. All of our teachers here are highly qualified and experienced. Currently, five of our teachers possess Masters Degrees in Education, and seven possess California Multiple-Subject Teaching Credentials.
Jennifer Kerkes, Director/Lead Teacher
Throughout her career, Jennifer has expanded her knowledge of educating young children by teaching children in multiple grades, pre-k through 1st grade. In addition to her experience as a classroom teacher, Jennifer also had the opportunity to develop grade level curriculum, create and lead multiple teacher workshops, as well as continue to develop her knowledge of early childhood education. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of California, San Diego. She continued on to graduate school at UCSD where she earned her California Teaching Credential as well as her Masters Degree in Education.
Melissa has been teaching for the past seven years in grades pre-k through 2nd grade, instilling in students the love of learning, a firm academic foundation, and the tools to get along and work with others. Melissa has also taught several professional development workshops and created engaging and developmentally-appropriate curriculum that emphasizes higher-level thinking. Melissa attained her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology, with a minor in Anthropology, from UCLA. For graduate school Melissa attended UCSD's Teacher Education Program with Jennifer Kerkes, where she acquired her California Teaching Credential, Supplementary Science Credential, and Masters Degree in Education.
Molly loves working with kids. Before coming to Young Minds Learning Academy, she taught pre-k and 2nd grade. Molly attended UCLA as an undergrad, majoring in Communication Studies and minoring in English. She later returned to her alma mater to obtain a California Teaching Credential and Masters Degree in Education and, in the process, completed a thesis on conflict resolution among young children. Molly also has Early Childhood Education (ECE) units from UCLA Extension.
Kate has always wanted to be a teacher. With that goal clearly in her sights, Kate has since earned a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Studies, her California Elementary Credential and a Masters Degree in Elementary Education all from Loyola Marymount University. She has interned at a private preschool in Rancho Palos Verdes, student taught grade 1 in El Segundo and grade 3 in Culver City, and served as a substitute teacher in El Segundo. Today, Kate is enthusiastic about having the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of her students.
Shazia loves that she can make a positive difference in the lives of children. She spent two summers teaching the Kindergarten Readiness program at Viewpoint School in Calabasas, getting young kinders ready for school. She taught third grade at Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland. She also spent four years working with infants and toddlers with Bright Horizons Family Solutions using a project-based approach. During her undergraduate years, she interned at a Head Start in Trenton, NJ working with underprivileged three and four year olds. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rider University and a Masters in the Arts of Teaching in Early Childhood Education from Towson University in Maryland. She has her California State Teaching Credential as well as her Child Development Associate Credential (CDA).
Working with children is a passion of Niki's. Niki has earned her Bachelors Degree in Liberal Studies, and a Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential from California State University, Long Beach. Niki began working in the classroom as an Instructional Aide for LAUSD and then went on to complete her student teaching in Torrance Unified School District working in kindergarten and third grade classrooms . Since then, Niki has been a substitute teacher for Torrance Unified as well as a private preschool in Culver City. She looks forward to helping children grow and prepare them for their future education!
Ms. Audrey has worked with preschool-age children for over 4 years and has such a passion for working with children! She constantly thrives on helping to raise healthy and curious minds. Audrey has worked with preschool-age children, as well as special needs children. She holds over 36 ECE units and is currently working on completing her Bachelors Degree in Child Development. She has had studied abroad in Mexico and Belgium, where she learned Spanish and French. Audrey also loves to share her bilingual skills with the children!
