Our Team

Maestra Melissa

Founder & Creative Director

I come from a long line of educators and although I received bachelor degrees in Biology and Spanish, I returned to university after traveling extensively to complete my teaching credential. As a student of the world, I love to travel and discover all that it has to offer. Learning is my true passion, to be out in the world exploring nature, trying new food, learning new languages and meeting people. This passion is what I bring to the Jardín. I love to see the world through the eyes of the children and watch them discover. I truly enjoy their natural curiosity and problem solving. After teaching Kindergarten in bilingual public schools for 8 years and developing my vision in the field for the ultimate Spanish immersion preschool, I created Jardín de Mariposas in 2010 so that my daughter would have the opportunity to explore, discover and develop in a natural environment where Spanish was spoken and highly valued. This year she begins her university career in DC. I am proud to have a family with two bilingual daughters.

Maestra Eda

Director

I’m originally from Toluca Mexico where I taught music to preschool-age children before moving to the U.S. with my family. I have worked as a Spanish teacher since 2011, including 12 years at Jardin de Mariposas in Palo Alto, and 1 year running my own home-based program in Los Altos. I attended Santa Cruz University, where I obtained a certificate in Early Childhood Development.

My passion is working with preschool children. At that age they are curious, they are imaginative, and most importantly, they are sponges for knowledge. As a teacher, I have always believed this age is the best time to teach, to guide, and most importantly, to learn from them! I believe in teaching through experiences, techniques, and “tricks” to support your child’s learning. We create an environment where your child plays, enjoys, feels safe experimenting, and all of this without even realizing he/she is learning Spanish!

Maestra Deysi

Teacher

Hi, my name is Deysi. I was born in Mexico but I grew up in between Mexico and the United States. I have two children, a 22 year old son who recently graduated from University, he loves sports and music, and a 7 year old girl who keeps me very busy. They are my inspirations and the reason I try to be a better person each day.
I am very excited for the upcoming year. I began working at Jardin de Mariposas in summer 2016 as an intern and found myself delighted with its program because it allows children to learn Spanish, interact with others and have fun at the same time. I graduated from Foothill College where I got an Associate Degree in development and now I have my Master Teacher Permit in Early childhood education.

I have been working with children of preschool ages for many years and am now an expert in inspiring young children to explore! I also volunteered in my son’s school for several years and all these years of working with children have been a rewarding experience. I am a native Spanish speaker and I put my skills to work to help your children learn Spanish and to make their learning experience a positive one. I am looking forward to meeting all of the families of Jardin de Mariposa.

Maestra Yaya

Teacher

My name is Yadira Diaz, and I come from the beautiful and vibrant country of Mexico. Over nine years ago, I embarked on a rewarding journey of working with young children.

Through my interactions with these young learners, I have been gifted with a new lens through which to view life. They have taught me to appreciate the small wonders and to approach life with a sense of wonder and curiosity. Working with children has been an immensely fulfilling and enriching experience for me.

I am proud to have been part of the JDM family for the last five years, during which I have had the opportunity to watch many kids grow, including my oldest daughter. Now, I will have the gratifying experience of watching my son as he joins the family in Colibris’s classroom!

I have obtained my Early Childhood Education (ECE) credentials from Canada College, where I am currently dedicated to pursuing my Associate degree as an Undergraduate, continuing my journey of learning and growth in this field.

Maestra Ximena

Teacher

My name is Ximena. I was born in Concepción, Chile, and I am the proud mother of a son who is currently attending university. Together with him and my husband, I enjoy planning outdoor adventures, riding bikes, and spending time as a family. I am also passionate about dancing and crafting.

In Chile, I earned a degree in Occupational Health and Safety, and later I moved to California, where I discovered my natural ability to connect with children while volunteering at The Health Trust. Since then, I have been working for more than six years in the field of Early Childhood Education. At Jardín de Mariposas, I will continue to share all my passion and love, accompanying children in this stage of their lives to positively impact them.

I hold a Certificate in Child Development from Mission College, an Associate Teacher Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and a Training Certificate from the Florida Department of Children and Families, after spending a year in Miami.

Maestra Lily

Teacher

About your Maestra: Lily 
I’m Liliana, originally from Villavicencio, Colombia, and I’ve been living in California for over 4 years. I’m married (no kids) and I love reading, dancing, traveling and spending quality time with my family.

I’m a fully qualified bilingual preschool teacher (English/Spanish) with more than 20 years of experience teaching children ages 3–5. I have a Teaching associate degree from Colombia, a bachelor’s degree in business, and I completed my Early Childhood Education (ECE) coursework at Theoria Technical College in California.

I bring an energetic, caring, and child-centered approach to early education. I’ve been trained in the Reggio Emilia approach through the Red Solare Colombia, and I integrate other methods like Project-Based Learning (PBL) and Picture-word inductive model (PWIM) to support children’s language development. My passion is helping young learners build confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love for learning.

Maestra Irma

Teacher

Hello! My Name is Irma Contreras. I was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. I have 3 wonderful children, 21, 18 and 11 years old and I enjoy every moment with my family.

My favorite thing to do is camp and spend time exploring the great outdoors.

I love working with children and learning from them. I have spent many years working as a nanny and recently decided to go back to school to make early childhood education a career. I am studying at Chabot College. I am very excited to be a part of the Jardín de Mariposas Team, where children learn Spanish through games, music and many diverse experiences throughout the day!

Maestra Lu

Teacher

About your Maestra Lu:  

My name is Luisa, but many know me as Ms. Lu. I was born in Medellín, Colombia, and I’m happily married. I originally came to this country to study English, but life had other plans—and being here has truly been a blessing.

I am a Certified Early Childhood Educator and hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and English Education. I have over 12 years of experience working with children between the ages of 3 and 7. I’m passionate about early childhood education and love watching little ones explore, grow, and learn every day.

I believe in teaching through love, respect, and play, creating a warm and joyful environment where every child feels valued and safe.
Fun fact: I love reading stories with silly voices!

Maestra Luisa

Teacher & ABA Therapist

My name is Luisa Fernanda, proud mother of Jardín student! 😀 As a family, we cherish our adventures in nature, delight in exploring new foods, and embrace the thrill of discovering new places. My favorite book, “How to Make Good Things Happen to You” by Marian Rojas Estape, inspires me daily.

Originally from Colombia, I pursued my associate’s degree in science in Rockford, IL, where I was fortunate to work as a tutor supporting refugee children. This experience opened my eyes to the beauty of cultural diversity. In 2019, I arrived in California, fueled by a desire for new opportunities, and became certified as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). With four years of experience in an early intervention program, I have witnessed the transformative power of Applied Behavior Analysis(ABA) therapy. This evidence-based approach helps children with developmental challenges, particularly autism, by teaching valuable skills and reducing challenging behaviors through positive reinforcement. My journey has unveiled the magic of working with children and ignited my passion for psychology. This field empowers me to understand the mind, emotions, and behaviors while nurturing emotional intelligence and socio-emotional skills in our children.

Maestra Lizzy

Teacher