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, our Executive Director, América Leticia Figueroa, is deeply committed to serving children, families, and the greater community. As a mother of five, she brings both professional expertise and personal understanding to her work, supporting families, inspiring teachers, mentoring student-teachers, and advocating for the well-being of every child.
As an educator, Ms. América creates a safe, hands-on learning environment where children are encouraged to explore, grow, and thrive. She finds her greatest joy in witnessing each child’s development and walking alongside parents throughout their parenting journey.
Ms. América serves as our Teaching Director and leads the Pre-K classroom. She holds an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Education, and is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Biblical Counseling, with an expected completion in 2026. In addition, she served as a children’s pastor for ten years and continues to minister to women—especially mothers—firmly believing that when a mother is supported and thriving, her children thrive as well. This belief is the foundation of her passion for strong home-to-school and school-to-home partnerships that support families in a comprehensive way.
Beyond early childhood education, Ms. América also teaches adults in a variety of subjects and leads an adult high school diploma program. Her favorite children’s book is The Rainbow Fish, by Marcus Pfister, she loves coffee at any time of day, and her favorite foods include carne asada nachos and caldo de res. Her favorite colors are red and olive green. A fun fact about her is that she loves to sing, and something few people know is that she was once a radio host.
Most importantly, Ms. América wants families to know that teaching is not just a job to her—it is a calling. Her door is always open to children and families who need guidance, encouragement, prayer, or simply a listening ear and a warm hug.
Ms. Michelle
Lead Infant Teacher & Site Supervisor
Ms. Michelle Mendoza is the Lead Infant Teacher in our Snuggle Bugs classroom and serves as our Site Supervisor. She has nearly four years of experience in the Early Childhood Education field and chose to work with children because she finds genuine joy in watching them learn, grow, and reach milestones they once thought were out of reach.
Ms. Michelle began her professional journey as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), working at a local hospital before discovering her passion for early childhood education. She studied at College of the Desert, where she earned her Child Development Associate Teacher Permit with an Infant/Toddler specialization. She continues to further her education as she works toward becoming a children and youth counselor.
In the classroom, Ms. Michelle strives to create a safe, nurturing, and hands-on learning environment where children feel comfortable, confident, and supported. She enjoys incorporating activities that strengthen fine motor development, and her favorite part of the day is arts and crafts. Her favorite children’s book is I Love You Forever by Robert Munsch.
Outside the classroom, Ms. Michelle enjoys cooking and baking. Her favorite color is olive green, her favorite animal is the elephant, and her favorite food is sushi. A fun fact about her is that she loves reptiles and is the proud owner of four snakes, two lizards, a spider, and a tortoise!
As a mother herself, Ms. Michelle wants families to know that she cares for each child with the same love and attention she gives her own. She helps children feel safe and loved by listening to them and offering comfort whenever it is needed. She hopes her classroom feels like a second home and believes that every child deserves a chance to succeed. She feels especially proud when her students achieve goals they once believed they couldn’t.
Ms. Martha
Office Manager & Teachers' Aide
Ms. Martha Bracamontes serves as our Office Manager and Teacher’s Aide, bringing warmth, organization, and dedication to our program. She previously worked as a preschool Sunday school teacher for several years and now supports our preschool classrooms while working toward her Early Childhood Education Teacher Certificate at College of the Desert.
Ms. Martha chose to work with children because she values the opportunity to positively impact young lives and help shape future generations.
What Ms. Martha enjoys most about teaching is being part of each child’s growth and development. She strives to create a nurturing environment where children feel cared for, encouraged, and supported as they learn and explore. Her favorite children’s books are those by Dr. Seuss, and she especially enjoys classroom activities that involve singing, music, and movement. Outdoor play is one of her favorite parts of the day, as it allows children to learn through active exploration.
Outside the classroom, Ms. Martha enjoys reading, singing, and spending time in prayer. Her favorite color is black, her favorite animals are small dogs, and she has a fondness for Italian cuisine. A fun fact about her is that she has a wonderful sense of humor, which brings joy and laughter to both children and staff.
Ms. Martha wants families to know that she deeply values each child’s well-being. She supports children by offering consistent care, attention, and respect, helping them feel safe, loved, and confident. Her goal is to ensure that every child experiences a classroom filled with love, joy, and positive learning moments.
Ms. Leslie
Preschool Teacher's Aide
Ms. Leslie Lopez is a Preschool Teacher’s Aide who brings patience, care, and empathy into the classroom each day. She holds an Associate Degree in General Studies from the University of New Mexico and is currently working toward her Associate Teacher Permit.
Ms. Leslie chose to work with children because she is passionate about guiding them in a supportive and nurturing environment. What she enjoys most about teaching is helping children feel safe, supported, and excited to learn new skills while building trust and confidence.
She hopes her classroom is a place where children feel comfortable being themselves and know they are in a safe space to explore, learn, and grow. Her favorite children’s book is That’s Not Funny, David! by David Shannon, and her favorite classroom activities include arts and crafts and story time. Her favorite part of the day is outdoor play.
Outside the classroom, Ms. Leslie enjoys journaling and recording videos to reflect on life over the years. Her favorite color is pink, her favorite animal is dogs, and her favorite foods include pasta and iced coffee. She also loves Dutch Bros. coffee and watching TV series.
Ms. Leslie wants families to know that she is a caring and positive person who truly values every child. She helps children feel safe and loved by ensuring they feel heard, seen, and appreciated. She feels especially proud when she sees her students building meaningful relationships with her and with their peers.
Ms. Esme
Teachers' Aide
Ms. Esmeralda Romero, affectionately known as Ms. Esme, is a Teacher’s Aide with over five years of experience in the field of Early Childhood Education. She chose to work with young children out of a genuine love for nurturing and caring for little learners. Ms. Esme began her educational journey in the R.O.P. program and is currently enrolled at College of the Desert, where she is pursuing her Early Childhood Education Teacher Certificate.
Ms. Esme especially enjoys engaging with children through play while fostering a warm, positive, and loving classroom environment. Her goal is for every child in her care to feel happy, secure, and deeply cared for each day. She loves sharing stories with her students—particularly princess tales, with Rapunzel being her favorite—and enjoys spending time with children during outdoor activities.
Outside the classroom, Ms. Esme’s favorite color is red, her favorite animal is the lion, and she has a strong appreciation for Italian cuisine. A fun fact about her is that she is an excellent cook. In her free time, she enjoys reading and cooking. One of her favorite moments of the day at school is mealtime, when she can nurture children and help ensure they feel comfortable and well cared for.
Ms. Esme wants families to know that caring for children is more than a job to her—it is a calling. She approaches her work with love, dedication, and attentiveness, ensuring children feel safe, supported, and valued at all times. She believes that teaching young children means giving from the heart and creating an environment where every child can thrive.
Ms. Jessica
Seasonal Teacher
Ms. Jessica Ramirez is a Teacher’s Aide who supports our preschool classrooms as a seasonal staff member. She has nearly one year of experience as a preschool aide and is currently pursuing her degree in Elementary Education at Grand Canyon University. When she is not studying in Arizona, she works at TCP. Preschool is her favorite age group to work with.
Ms. Jessica chose to work with children because it allows her to apply what she is learning in her studies while nurturing young learners. What she enjoys most about teaching is children’s natural curiosity and excitement for learning. She hopes children feel comfortable making mistakes in her classroom, knowing that mistakes are an important part of the learning process.
Her favorite children’s book is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, and her favorite classroom activity is arts and crafts. Her favorite color is green, her favorite animal is dogs, and her favorite food is spaghetti. A fun fact about Ms. Jessica is that she plays the guitar.
When she’s not teaching or studying, Ms. Jessica enjoys reading and spending time with friends. Her favorite part of the school day is playtime. She wants families to know that she is passionate about education and dedicated to becoming an elementary school teacher.
Ms. Jessica helps children feel safe and loved by engaging in meaningful conversations and building trusting relationships. She believes that every child needs a teacher who leads with grace and mercy, and she hopes her classroom is a place where students can grow, learn, and thrive through their mistakes.
Ms. Stephanie
Substitute Teacher
Ms. Gabby
Substitute Teacher & Site Supervisor
​