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/Owner
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 Foucher, Director/Owner
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.
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.
Ms. Kate, Lead Teacher
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.
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.
Ms. Niki, Lead Teacher
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!
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. Sully, Lead Teacher
Ms. Sully loves working with children and learning from them! She has worked with preschool and school age children for over 5 years. Sully is currently working on completing her Bachelor's Degree in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University of Northridge. She also plans on pursuing her Master's Degree in Education in the future. Before working at Young Minds Learning Academy, Sully was an associate teacher in the non-profit organization Para los Ninos. She also worked in LAUSD as a pre-K teacher assistant . Sully is happy and excited to be able to provide children with rich learning experiences that will foster individual, emotional, social, and educational growth.
Ms. Sully loves working with children and learning from them! She has worked with preschool and school age children for over 5 years. Sully is currently working on completing her Bachelor's Degree in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University of Northridge. She also plans on pursuing her Master's Degree in Education in the future. Before working at Young Minds Learning Academy, Sully was an associate teacher in the non-profit organization Para los Ninos. She also worked in LAUSD as a pre-K teacher assistant . Sully is happy and excited to be able to provide children with rich learning experiences that will foster individual, emotional, social, and educational growth.
Ms. Lesly, Afternoon Lead Teacher
Lesly strongly values the importance of early childhood education and the pivotal role it plays in development and growth. Lesly earned her Bachelors degree in Children's Health and Development at UC Berkeley. Prior to working at Young Minds Learning Academy, Lesly was an undergraduate researcher and teacher assistant at UC Berkeley's: Harold E. Jones Child Study Center Preschool. Lesly also worked as a community outreach coordinator, alongside The City of Berkeley, Chronic Illness Prevention Public Health Department (Live Well Be Well). Her community outreach consisted of workshops, classes, and presentations geared towards educating kids of all ages (PreK- High School) and their families about the importance of nutrition and exercise. Lesly loves children, “Learning from them is such a joy!”
Lesly strongly values the importance of early childhood education and the pivotal role it plays in development and growth. Lesly earned her Bachelors degree in Children's Health and Development at UC Berkeley. Prior to working at Young Minds Learning Academy, Lesly was an undergraduate researcher and teacher assistant at UC Berkeley's: Harold E. Jones Child Study Center Preschool. Lesly also worked as a community outreach coordinator, alongside The City of Berkeley, Chronic Illness Prevention Public Health Department (Live Well Be Well). Her community outreach consisted of workshops, classes, and presentations geared towards educating kids of all ages (PreK- High School) and their families about the importance of nutrition and exercise. Lesly loves children, “Learning from them is such a joy!”
Ms. Susan, Lead Teacher
Susan has been been involved with preschools her whole life. Helping her mother at her privately owned preschool is when she realized her passion for it. After high school, Susan joined the Navy and traveled for 4 years. She remained on inactive duty for 4 years after that. Susan went to school and received her permit as a Lead Teacher. She also received a credential to teach yoga to preschoolers. Susan has been teaching kids for the last 5 years. She enjoys spending her time with her son and is constantly taking Early Childhood Education classes to enrich her teaching abilities.
Susan has been been involved with preschools her whole life. Helping her mother at her privately owned preschool is when she realized her passion for it. After high school, Susan joined the Navy and traveled for 4 years. She remained on inactive duty for 4 years after that. Susan went to school and received her permit as a Lead Teacher. She also received a credential to teach yoga to preschoolers. Susan has been teaching kids for the last 5 years. She enjoys spending her time with her son and is constantly taking Early Childhood Education classes to enrich her teaching abilities.
Ms. Rachel, Lead Teacher
Rachel has been a strong advocate for early childhood education for many years. She believes in the importance and significance that it brings. Ms. Rachel earned her Bachelors degree in Liberal Arts and Psychology with honors, from the University of Surrey Roehampton, England. She then migrated to California where she began her journey into teaching. She started out working for a San Bernardino children’s museum, whilst completing her Certificate of Career Preparation in Early Childhood Education, from Moreno Valley college. She then went onto gain a place on an internship program for the college preschool. Rachel values the opportunity to teach and believes that there is a lot to be learnt from young children.
Ms. Cheryl, Lead Teacher
As a child, Cheryl always dreamed about owning her own clothing boutique. However after working in the fashion industry she realized she was not a businesswoman. Rather then immersing herself in the corporate world, Cheryl found her motivation and challenge in the classroom. After graduating from University of Miami with a degree in Art History, she then attended California State Northridge to receive her teaching credential in elementary education. Cheryl has also completed Early Childhood education courses from UCLA extension, which have taught her unique strategies and methods to integrate intothe classroom. Cheryl celebrates every child’s strength at Young Minds and creates a nurturing and loving classroom for each child to feel secure in exploring their passions and interests.
As a child, Cheryl always dreamed about owning her own clothing boutique. However after working in the fashion industry she realized she was not a businesswoman. Rather then immersing herself in the corporate world, Cheryl found her motivation and challenge in the classroom. After graduating from University of Miami with a degree in Art History, she then attended California State Northridge to receive her teaching credential in elementary education. Cheryl has also completed Early Childhood education courses from UCLA extension, which have taught her unique strategies and methods to integrate intothe classroom. Cheryl celebrates every child’s strength at Young Minds and creates a nurturing and loving classroom for each child to feel secure in exploring their passions and interests.
Ms. Roxy, Lead Teacher
Roxy loves working with young children. She dreamed of becoming a teacher since she was very young. She earned her Bachelors degree in Liberal Studies from California State University Northridge. She also received Early Childhood Education units from UCLA Extension. She has future plans on returning to school for her Masters in Education. Prior to working for Young Minds, Roxy worked for Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District as a substitute for almost 5 years. Roxy is really passionate about teaching children and hopes to make a positive impact on the growth and development of hundreds of children as a teacher.
Roxy loves working with young children. She dreamed of becoming a teacher since she was very young. She earned her Bachelors degree in Liberal Studies from California State University Northridge. She also received Early Childhood Education units from UCLA Extension. She has future plans on returning to school for her Masters in Education. Prior to working for Young Minds, Roxy worked for Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District as a substitute for almost 5 years. Roxy is really passionate about teaching children and hopes to make a positive impact on the growth and development of hundreds of children as a teacher.
Ms. Vanessa, Lead Teacher
Ms. Jessica, Lead Teacher
