"It takes a big heart to shape little minds."

If anyone enters into Areli’s toddler classroom in the Family Literacy Program, you will instantly feel like you are being hugged. Areli took the lead teaching position earlier this school year and has put her mark on the program with her creativity, love of celebrating diversity, and her devotion to working with our multi-lingual toddlers.

Areli began her ECE career in the Adult & Family Education Career Boost Child Development Associates (CDA) program back in 2020. Despite the pandemic and many changes to our classroom environment, Areli persevered to finish her CDA coursework and got a job working for Head Start, all while raising her three children.

After several years teaching as a preschool assistant, Areli joined the Adult and Family Education team as a lead toddler teacher. She is currently preparing to take the CDA exam. Once finished with her CDA credential, Areli plans to get certified to be a Parents As Teachers Home Visitor where teachers work one on one with families to provide education strategies and support services.