Our Team

Maestra Melissa

Founder & 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 meeting people, trying new food, learning new languages and exploring nature. 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. I am proud to have a family with two bilingual daughters.

Maestra Eda

Assistant 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 5 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 17 year old son who loves sports and music and a 2 year old girl which keeps me very busy. They are my inspiration and the reason why I try to be a better person each day. 

I am very excited for the upcoming year. I began working at Jardin de Mariposas on 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 am currently enrolled in the Child Development Program at Foothill College where I also finished my Associate Degree. I have been working with children of preschool ages for many years. I took care of my cousins, nephews and nieces until I had my own children,  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 will put my skills to work to help your children learn Spanish and to make their learning experience a positive one. I am looking forward meeting all of the families of Jardin de Mariposa.

Maestra Marcy

Teacher

Hello! My name is Marcela-everybody calls me Marcy. I’m from El Salvador and I moved here with my husband in 2016.

I got my degree in Computer Science Engineering from Francisco Gavidia University in El Salvador and I worked in information technology. In El Salvador I volunteered with the Cub Scouts from 2011-2015 working with children ages 5-11 years old. I learned so much and I loved spending my weekends sharing and enjoying nature with the children. I learned through my experience with the Cub Scouts that the best way for children to learn is through play. I met Maestra Melissa in 2016 and I began working with her as a teacher’s assistant. After a year I decided to enroll in the Child Development Program at Foothill College. I’m excited to be a part of the growth of JDM School. I feel enthusiastic about working and creating an environment where the children can learn while they are playing. Every activity here helps children develop the skills that they need to achieve their goals.

Maestra Yaya

Teacher

My name is Yadira Diaz. I’m originally from Mexico. I began working with preschool age  children 6 years ago and I was thrilled by the way they  can learn and their own way to see the world. Children have the amazing ability to spread happiness, hope, unconditional love, their zest of life and beyond. Children have taught me to see life from a different perspective, the side of life that as an adult I tend to forget. Working with children is one of the most rewarding and gratifying experiences. 

   Currently, I am enrolled in Canada College where I am planning to finish my Associate degree  in child development. I believe children are the future and I would make my best effort to guide them and support them in the most positive manner.

Maestra Estefania

Teacher

My name is Estefanía Alvarado and I am thrilled to be a part of this amazing group of teachers! I started my internship at Jardín de Mariposas this summer and I am proud to call it my home away from home. My favorite part of the program is that it utilizes high-quality early childhood education, that is nature based, to help lay a foundation for environmental literacy and creativity. I discovered my true passion for working with children through babysitting and nannying. As an educator, you don’t just make an impact on a child’s life, they will make an impact on yours too! I was born in California but raised between North Carolina and Mexico before finally settling down in San Jose, CA over a decade ago. Parenting is the most rewarding chaos I have experienced and my two children motivate and inspire me to become a better educator and human being. I am currently attending Foothill College where I am pursuing my Associates degree in Child and Adolescent Development. I plan to continue my undergraduate education at San Jose State University.

Maestra Marce

Teacher

My name is Marcela Betancur, I come from Colombia and moved to the U.S in 2019 to be with my family, I have an artistic and creative background, I play the violin and love painting natural landscapes among many other things like pets and portraits. At an early age in my life I went to Europe and lived in different countries like Holland, Spain and England, I studied and grew up mainly in London, education turned into the driving force in my life as I came across the opportunity to become a teacher in a bilingual school back in Colombia, I learned so much as a teacher from my students and from coworkers, I worked as a first grade teacher for about 5 years striving to improve my teaching techniques to meet my student’s needs. 

I was a science teacher in fourth grade for about 4 years allowing me to fuse my creativity and joy for science along with my teaching style, guiding students through experiments and allowing them to explore their own skills to find creative solutions for everyday questions.

I am looking forward to being part of Jardin de Mariposas and bringing my skills to apply them in helping your children achieve their learning objectives, and inspire them to embrace their ingenuity.

Maestra Monica

Teacher

!Hola! My name is Monica Nunez, and I am excited to be teaching at JDM School. I was born and raised in San Jose, CA, and studied at De Anza College, where I obtained my AA Degree and credits in Early Child Development. I then decided it was time for a change and moved to  Puerto Rico, where I lived for four years, graduated with my BA in Elementary Education, and met the love of my life. I started teaching when I was a toddler. I would place all my dolls in a half-circle on the floor of my room and teach. After those great experiences, I carried my teaching career to the next level and started teaching at my local church during my young adult life. Now I couldn’t be happier to share my knowledge and keep on learning with all my students. One of my favorite authors once wrote: “It is the work of true education to develop this power, to train young people to be thinkers and not mere reflectors of other people’s thoughts. Let students be directed to the sources of truth, to the vast fields opened for research in nature and revelation. Let them contemplate the great facts of duty and destiny, and the mind will expand and strengthen.”  My goal is for all those that I encounter to experience this education.