Proverbs 22:6
Where little minds grow!
45-114 Smurr St. Indio, CA. 92201
(760) 619-3286
Meet Our Team
Who We Are
Teachers & Staff
We are grateful for our dedicated team of teachers and aides who work tirelessly every day to serve our children and families with excellence and integrity.
Our Team
Dedicated Educators
Ms. America
Teaching Director
With over 25 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, Ms. América has a deep love for serving children and families. As a mother of five, she brings both professional knowledge and heartfelt understanding to her work, creating a safe, hands-on environment where children are encouraged to explore, grow, and thrive.
She holds degrees in Early Childhood and Christian Education and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Biblical Counseling (2026). After serving ten years in children’s ministry, she remains passionate about supporting families and building strong partnerships between home and school.
Most importantly, Ms. América believes teaching is a calling. She considers it an honor to walk alongside families and keeps her door open for encouragement, guidance, prayer, and support whenever it’s needed.
Ms. Michelle
Lead Infant Teacher and & Site Supervisor
Ms. Michelle leads our Snuggle Bugs infant classroom and serves as Site Supervisor, bringing nearly four years of Early Childhood Education experience and a genuine love for helping children grow and reach important milestones. She began her professional journey as a Certified Nursing Assistant before discovering her passion for early childhood education and earning her Infant/Toddler Associate Teacher Certificate from College of the Desert. She is currently working toward becoming a children and youth counselor.
In the classroom, Ms. Michelle creates a safe, nurturing, and hands-on environment where children feel comfortable, confident, and supported. As a mother herself, she cares for each child with the same love and attention she gives her own and hopes her classroom feels like a second home. She finds great joy in watching her students achieve goals they once thought were out of reach.
Ms. Martha
Office Manager & Teachers' Aide
Ms. Martha brings warmth, organization, and heartfelt dedication to her role as Office Manager and Teacher’s Aide. With several years of experience as a preschool Sunday school teacher, she now supports our preschool classrooms while pursuing her Early Childhood Education Teacher Certificate at College of the Desert. As a mother of three and a proud grandmother of two, she brings both life experience and genuine compassion to her work with children.
Ms. Martha loves being part of each child’s growth and strives to create a nurturing environment where children feel safe, encouraged, and valued. She enjoys singing, music, movement, and outdoor play, and her joyful sense of humor brings smiles to both children and staff.
She wants families to know that she deeply cares for every child’s well-being and is committed to helping each one feel confident, loved, and supported every day.
Ms. Esme
Teachers' Aide
With over five years of experience in Early Childhood Education, Ms. Esme has a genuine love for nurturing and caring for young learners. She began her journey in the R.O.P. program and is currently pursuing her Early Childhood Education Teacher Certificate at College of the Desert.
Ms. Esme enjoys engaging children through play and creating a warm, loving classroom where every child feels happy, secure, and deeply cared for. She loves sharing stories—especially princess tales—and spending time outdoors with her students.
Above all, Ms. Esme believes caring for children is her calling. She approaches each day with love and dedication, ensuring every child feels safe, valued, and encouraged to thrive.
Ms. Jessica
Seasonal Teacher
Ms. Jessica supports our preschool classrooms as a seasonal staff member while pursuing her degree in Elementary Education at Grand Canyon University. With nearly one year of experience as a preschool aide, she especially loves working with preschool-aged children and nurturing their natural curiosity and excitement for learning.
She enjoys helping children feel comfortable learning through mistakes, believing that growth happens when students feel safe to try. Ms. Jessica loves arts and crafts and values building meaningful relationships so each child feels heard, supported, and confident.
Passionate about education, she is dedicated to becoming an elementary school teacher and hopes her classroom is always a place where children can grow, learn, and thrive with grace and encouragement.
Ms. Stephanie
Substitute Teacher
Ms. Stephanie has been part of The Children’s Place CDC since we first opened. After earning her Associate Degree in Psychology from College of the Desert, she also completed her Early Childhood Education Teacher Certificate so she could serve at TCP. She later became a Substitute Teacher while pursuing her Bachelor’s in Social Work with a minor in Psychology and is now completing her Master’s in Social Work to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Although her schedule is full, she continues to support TCP whenever she can. Ms. Stephanie has also served in children’s ministries and partnered with Child Evangelism Fellowship through her congregation in Indio. She loves to dance and sing and has a deep heart for youth and children, with a goal of becoming a counselor who supports and guides them in meaningful ways.
Ms. Gabby
Substitute Teacher & Site Supervisor
Ms. Gabby brings over 12 years of experience in early childhood education and childcare, including leadership roles with the YMCA. She is passionate about creating safe, nurturing, and inclusive environments where children feel valued and supported as they grow socially, emotionally, and academically.
She holds an Associate Degree in General Business and is currently pursuing an Associate Degree in Accounting, strengthening her skills in organization and program leadership. As co-owner of Gloria’s Cleaning and a volunteer with FIND Food Bank, Ms. Gabby demonstrates her heart for serving families both inside and outside the classroom.
Honored to serve as Site Supervisor, she works closely with staff and families to ensure high-quality care where every child feels safe, encouraged, and able to thrive.
