Our Staff

Sam P

Owner / Partner

ScuttleBugs has been quite the labor of love, and that’s why Sam often refers to our center as her third child! In fact, ScuttleBugs was created out of necessity when she started a family of her own, and just wasn’t satisfied with the childcare options available.

Her career spans 30 years encompassing all manner of roles such as neighborhood babysitter, English teacher abroad, teacher’s aide, Team Lead, Assistant to Regional Manager, and Center Purchasing Manager. Sam was able to hone her skills under the mentorship umbrella of Universal Childcare, now “Only About Children”, the premier childcare company in Australia.

The ScuttleBugs crew get a real kick out of learning wacky Aussie expressions such as “chuck a sickie” (time off work pretending to be sick), “dag” (look it up – basically a slob), and she insists we refer to the snacks we serve as morning and afternoon tea on the menu – admittedly it does sound fancier.

Her other titles include Resident Queen Bee and Jill of all trades, master of none! Budding ornithologist, whose other hobbies include sleeping, aromatherapy, and dancing with her boys to 80’s music. Her secret past time is sharing her mad origami skills by leaving a toilet paper hospitality fold in random public bathrooms, although this Grasshopper has yet to master “the fan” (think serviette/napkin in a posh restaurant).

But behind it all, Sam is a strong advocate as well as serious student of early childhood development. She follows developments close to home and around the world and her opinions are always insightful. You can read her ongoing thoughts and research – and occasionally some of the kiddies stuff that makes us weep with laughter – here.

Arina S

Kitchen Manager

Ms. Arina brings nearly 10 years of professional cooking experience with her. She has worked for catering companies making dishes from a range of cuisines for a varied clientele. She has also worked cooking for children at another Preschool.

Ms. Arina’s first experience cooking, dating back to many years ago when she and her partner were young parents of 3, is still fresh in her memory:

“The first time I made fried chicken, I forgot the oil and wondered why it wasn’t frying up!!

That didn’t discourage me!! I kept pushing, and eventually I grew from dreading making food to really enjoying creating interesting and tasty dishes. … My love for my kids motivated me as a mother, and forced me to learn things out of my comfort zone.”

Ms. Arina loves the fact that cooking allows one to transform even simple basic ingredients into something extraordinarily tasty!! She most enjoys making soups, sandwiches & sauces.

“Working with children, you get to be silly and they keep your energy level high. You learn from them, they bring out your creativity and, my personal favorite, they show love in the purest form.” – says Ms Arina. At ScuttleBugs she finds it amazing that children at such a young age are opened minded to trying different types of foods – without being bribed!

In her free time, Ms. Arina loves to spend time with her children and her 5 (!) dogs. She also loves to sing at home although she admits that she’s repeatedly told that she shouldn’t!

Maritza S

Infant Program

Armed with a BA in Child Development and nine years of tiny-human expertise, Ms. Maritza is practically a baby-and-toddler whisperer. We’re talking five years with toddlers and four with infants – that’s like earning a PhD in diaper dynamics and sippy cup science!

“I love that children are full of curiosity and wonder” she says. “I find working in the field very rewarding. I take pride in helping children develop and learn new skills. Seeing them reach important milestones warms my heart and puts a smile on my face!” (And trust us, that smile is contagious!)

When she’s not helping tiny humans conquer their next big achievement, Ms. Maritza is on an epic quest of her own: visiting all 50 states! That’s right, this road-trip warrior is turning the entire USA into her personal playground. Between state-hopping adventures, you might find her channeling her inner artist with a paintbrush in hand, or engineering the next great LEGO civilization. And get this – she actually ENJOYS biking in the rain!

Kasie M

Infant Program

With over 25 years of experience caring for children, Ms. Kasie (pronounced “Kay-cee”) enjoys the love and care you get from the children and families the most. “Watching the development of a child is so rewarding.” – says Ms. Kasie.

Her guiding philosophy? “Live, love, and grow at your own pace—and always be caring, even in the toughest times.”

When she’s not nurturing young minds or navigating the occasional glitter explosion, you’ll likely find her deep in a game night with family, crafting with art supplies and building Lego sets or adding to her ever-growing collection of all things Tigger.

Ms. Kasie’s happy place is definitely the open road. Her favorite trip so far was her visit to the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon, together with her daughter. Kasie’s ultimate dream is to road-trip through every U.S. state, with a good playlist and eyes peeled for roadside fruit stands. She’s visited many of them and the best find so far were carrot cake granola bites – a mythical snack she’s been chasing ever since.

(Seriously, if you find them, let her know).

Zhalyssa C

Infant Program

With a degree in Human Development from UC Davis and specialized studies in Child & Adolescent Development from Foothill College, Zhalyssa brings a strong academic foundation to her classroom.

Zhalyssa excels at creating supportive environments where children can master everything from social navigation to those all-important gross and fine motor skills.

“Every child deserves individualized attention to meet their developmental needs. I strive to build a true partnership between the parent, the child, and the teacher to ensure every little one thrives.”

When she’s not shaping young minds, Zhalyssa is likely adding to her collection of American Girl dolls—not just for the fun of it, but because she loves the historical stories they teach. She enjoys painting, drawing, and competitive board game nights with her family.

Fun Facts:
• Zhalyssa is the ‘Cool Aunt’ to 5 nephews and nieces.
• She’s taken polo lessons! It’s a sport that requires the same balance and coordination she helps her students develop every day.

Bella R

Toddler Program

Ms. Bella has over 6 years of experience working in early childhood education with children from infant to school age. She has a BA in Early Childhood Studies plus 2 AA degrees: one in Social Sciences and the other in Human Development.

“Everything is new, exciting, fun to young children! I love their wonderment about the world around them! – says Ms. Bella. – I believe that it is a privilege, a gift – to be a part of their growth and exploration of the world. It’s amazing how every child, no matter how young, has their own personality and strengths. I am so excited to get to know each child in my care, and provide an environment for them to feel safe, explore, play, experiment, grow.”

Ms. Bella’s other great passion is dancing, and she has worked teaching ballet, tap, jazz, and contemporary dance to students aged 3 years old and older. Her favorite dance style is tap dance, and her favorite place to be is at a beach.

Amanda P

Toddler Program

Ms. Amanda, with a bachelor’s degree in Child & Adolescent development obtained at San Jose State University, has been working with children since 2020, from newborns to 7-year-olds. And this without counting her taking care of her many nieces and nephews.

“I love seeing the world through children’s eyes, and being a part of their development and help them learn through exploring – says Ms. Amanda. – And it’s exciting to observe how their personalities form.

Ms. Amanda is an animal lover, her house is like a little farm. She has a dog (while boxer), 3 cats, 2 guinea pigs, 2 crested geckos, 2 lizards and 2 water frogs as well as a 5 gallon fish tank with a dozen tropical fish and a beta fish. An ideal day for Ms. Amanda is a day spent playing with her puppy and listening to country music.

Joanna B

Toddler Program

Ms. Joanna, with Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education, has always found great joy in seeing children learn and grow, and her heart has always been set on teaching

“There’s something truly special about witnessing a child’s development and growth firsthand. – says Ms. Joanna. – I am motivated by the opportunity to make a lasting impact on their lives during their formative years.

Teaching, for me, is about fostering a nurturing environment where each child feels valued and inspired to explore their unique interests through play and hands-on learning. I believe In celebrating diversity and collaborating closely with families to support child’s growth, both academically and emotionally. It should be fun too, so they’re motivated to learn and be more curious.”

Ms. Joanna’s idea of fun is either dressing up to go visit places and eating at cute cafes, go bowling or just being at home baking or cooking food while watching shows. Ms. Joanna loves capturing the moment, so she takes lots of pictures wherever she goes. Growing up, she was really into dancing and at middle school she was a part of a contests-winning dancing group!

Sara R

Room 3

Ms. Sara has obtained her teaching certifications from DeAnza College, and she is continuing her education in early childhood education. She has been working with preschool age kids since 2016 and she really enjoys watching and helping children as they experience the world around them and help them grow and understand themselves. Instead of giving children ready solutions, she believes the best is a slight nudge for the kids to see the problem and find their own ways to solve it.

Ms. Sara enjoys cooking, playing video games (outta my way!), and reading – according to her own confession, she likes cheesy romance novels and manga. Fast reader, Ms. Sara can finish a book of 300 pages in a day and sometimes has to intentionally slow down so that she can enjoy a good book a little longer. Fun fact: she would love to open a small flower shop one day.

Ileijah K

Room 3 Teacher

Currently finishing her Bachelor’s in Child & Adolescent Development (CHAD) at SJSU, Ileijah already holds an Associate’s degree from Evergreen Valley College, proving she’s as committed to her own education as she is to her students’.

Before joining the ScuttleBugs family, Ileijah spent years as a youth leader for the Boys and Girls Club and served as a para-educator at Amy Imai Elementary. This background across different age groups gives her a unique perspective on the educational journey ahead for our little ones.

“I am a deeply empathetic person, and I believe that being part of a child’s developing success is one of the most rewarding roles one can have.”

Ileijah is a fan of the open road and loves going on long drives while listening to her favorite music. She’s a family-oriented person who cherishes time with her cousins and is an active member of her church community.

Fun Facts:
• She’s a budding cinematographer! Ileijah loves creating vlogs of her vacations and family events.
• She has a knack for finding the best ‘view points’—she’s always on the hunt for the perfect sunset or cityscape.

Lupe O

Room 4

Ms. Lupe earned her bachelors degree in Child and Adolescent Development from San Jose State University and is thrilled to work with children in her chosen field of study!

This enthusiastic educator has worked with children as old as high schoolers. Regarding young children, she has this to say: “I want to work with kids because I want to help in teaching them fun and educational topics during their journey here.” Indeed, learning should be an adventure!

When she’s not building the next generation of learners, you might find her building LEGO masterpieces, catching the latest blockbuster, or rocking out at concerts.

Before she was shaping young minds, Ms. Guadalupe was part of Super Bowl 50 history! That’s right, she was one of the lucky students chosen to be in the halftime show crowd. Talk about starting your career with a touchdown! Another fun fact is that she speaks a little French! Très chic, n’est pas?

Ashley D

Room 4

Ms. Ashley is a dedicated early childhood educator with a passion for nurturing young minds. She studied Child Development at De Anza College. With three years of experience working with children ages 3-5, Ms. Ashley has guided little learners through structured routines and academic-focused curricula, helping them grow socially, emotionally, and cognitively.

She believes in cherishing childhood and fostering a safe, caring environment where children can explore, learn, and develop confidence. Outside the classroom, Ms. Ashley enjoys discovering new coffee shops and restaurants, reading in the park, attending concerts, and spending sunny days by the beach or pool. Or surviving spicy soup challenges! A true foodie, she has a high spice tolerance. Ms. Ashley is also a perfume enthusiast who loves floral and fresh scents—her favorite notes are Peony and Jasmine.

Megan C

Substitute Teacher

Ms. Megan started babysitting in Middle School. “Ever since I was little I knew that I wanted to work with children when I got older. Children are amazing “little” humans! It has always been fun watching children grow and go through all of their developmental stages, and they always know how to put a smile on your face.” She has a BA in Child Development – Teacher Prep – obtained at San Jose State University and has been working with young children for about 7 years now.

Ms. Megan is a huge fan of Disneyland. She collects Minnie Ears and Disney Pins and every time she visits Disneyland, Ms. Megan can’t wait to try their new foods/drinks. She also has two fur babies, Duke and Bear – chocolate lab mix and black lab.

“I believe that every child develops in their own way, regardless of what other children may be doing (if they are the same age). Play is a big learning advantage since they are able to do many things with that and are able to use their imagination.”

Silveria D

Substitute Teacher

Silveria has been working with children since she was 19, and her passion for early childhood education has only grown over the years. A San Jose native, Silveria attended college here in Silicon Valley where she completed the courses to become a certified early childhood educator. Over the years, she’s worked with children of all ages, supporting their daily routines—from feeding and diaper changes to lesson planning, nap time, and everything in between.

What Silveria loves most is watching children learn and grow right before her eyes. Her approach to teaching is rooted in understanding and empathy. She strongly believes in the power of redirection—recognizing that every child, at every age, needs guidance tailored to their individual needs.

Outside of the classroom, Silveria is a proud mom who loves spending quality time with her children. You’ll often find them out and about at the park, Happy Hollow, or enjoying peaceful nature walks together. She also attends online Bible study four times a week.

Kris M

Support Staff/Breaker

Ms. Kris started working with children when she was a teenager (babysitting), and later early childhood education became her career choice. She continued to work with young children, including an experience working with special needs children in a kindergarten setting, and obtained her AA diploma in Child Development from De Anza College.

“It’s fun! “– says Ms. Kris about working with kids. – “It’s challenging at times but I love providing fun experiences and a safe presence. The most rewarding part of working with children is seeing them develop their skills & discover their interests right in front of me! I believe children learn best when they guide the learning – I like to encourage questions and attempts to figure things out on their own! Of course, children need support from trusted adults, but the most memorable learning experiences for me as a child were times where I worked through a problem myself (with help at times).”

Ms. Kris has a really wide range of interests: she likes to bake and cook gluten & dairy free, as well as work with clay, make costumes, make resin art and draw and animate. She’s a cat mom to a tortie cat named Toast, and she also is very interested in insects, in particular iris weevils. Bigfoot weevils are her favorite!

Alolika T

Support Staff / Breaker

Ms. Alolika has been working as a preschool teacher for the last 4 years, and before then she used to be a volunteer working as substitute teacher and after school teacher. She believes that children must be able to learn through experiences of touching, moving, listening and observing.

Besides 31 Early Childhood Education units completed at De Anza College, Ms. Alolika has a diploma in Fashion Designing – which is her passion along with imitation jewelry design. As many teachers at ScuttleBugs, Ms. Alolika speaks several languages (Marathi and Hindi, as well as English of course). She loves music and singing as well as travelling and learning about different cultures.

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