We both spent our childhoods growing up in the Palisades, attending St. Matthew’s School and Village School, at a time when the town felt like a sweet, fairy-tale village. We could roam freely with friends, grabbing fries at Mort’s, renting a movie from Blockbuster for a Friday night, and stopping by Baskin Robbins for a scoop of ice cream before heading home.
Later, we both attended Cal State Northridge to study Early Childhood Education, never crossing paths until we found our way to Methodist Preschool. After graduating, MPS became our very first “big girl job,” and from that moment on, we never looked back.
We had the incredible privilege of teaching and, over time, becoming directors while running a preschool right in the heart of the community we loved so much. Over the years, we’ve watched children grow up, head off to college, and come back to visit their early stomping grounds. Our infamous colored tiles that once framed the blue door often brought alumni back to reminisce, making us feel both proud and just a little bit ancient.
The Palisades community truly became the heartbeat of our school. Temescal Canyon, lovingly nicknamed our “backyard,” became a natural extension of our curriculum. Platform Tree was like a home away from home, a place where investigations unfolded, children connected deeply with the natural world, and on more than one occasion, a newt was gently held in awe.
For more than 16 years, our lives have been intertwined with MPS and this remarkable community. Losing our beloved preschool and the original campus has been a heartbreak beyond words. The people and families who filled those classrooms and hallways will forever live in our hearts.
Through the years, we have worked closely with hundreds of families, and the Palisades itself has always felt like another family member. We know in our bones that we will return. From childhood days prancing around town with friends, Starbucks cups in hand, to Back to School Nights filled with laughter, joy, and tears, this special place is part of who we are.
The Palisades will rise again, and when it does, we will be there, reunited with the community and the beloved village that shaped us, our school, and so many generations of children.
Let’s Share Your Story
Tell us a little about yourself. Where did your story begin, and what led you to the Palisades?
We both spent our childhoods growing up in the Palisades, attending St. Matthew’s School and Village School, at a time when the town felt like a sweet, fairy-tale village. We could roam freely with friends, grabbing fries at Mort’s, renting a movie from Blockbuster for a Friday night, and stopping by Baskin Robbins for a scoop of ice cream before heading home.
Later, we both attended Cal State Northridge to study Early Childhood Education, never crossing paths until we found our way to Methodist Preschool. After graduating, MPS became our very first “big girl job,” and from that moment on, we never looked back.
We had the incredible privilege of teaching and, over time, becoming directors while running a preschool right in the heart of the community we loved so much. Over the years, we’ve watched children grow up, head off to college, and come back to visit their early stomping grounds. Our infamous colored tiles that once framed the blue door often brought alumni back to reminisce, making us feel both proud and just a little bit ancient.
The Palisades community truly became the heartbeat of our school. Temescal Canyon, lovingly nicknamed our “backyard,” became a natural extension of our curriculum. Platform Tree was like a home away from home, a place where investigations unfolded, children connected deeply with the natural world, and on more than one occasion, a newt was gently held in awe.
For more than 16 years, our lives have been intertwined with MPS and this remarkable community. Losing our beloved preschool and the original campus has been a heartbreak beyond words. The people and families who filled those classrooms and hallways will forever live in our hearts.
Through the years, we have worked closely with hundreds of families, and the Palisades itself has always felt like another family member. We know in our bones that we will return. From childhood days prancing around town with friends, Starbucks cups in hand, to Back to School Nights filled with laughter, joy, and tears, this special place is part of who we are.
The Palisades will rise again, and when it does, we will be there, reunited with the community and the beloved village that shaped us, our school, and so many generations of children.
Tell us about your work or your passion — past, present, or future. What lights you up?
Our greatest passion is creating a space that truly celebrates childhood. A place where every child is seen, valued, and encouraged to shine in their own way. What lights us up is the deep sense of community that grows within our school. There is nothing more meaningful than knowing we’ve created a place where connections thrive and lifelong friendships begin, not just for children but for parents too. From welcoming newborns in our Parent & Me program to witnessing those unforgettable “aha” moments in the preschool, we are endlessly inspired by the magic of these early years. In a world where joy can feel fleeting, we find purpose in celebrating every beam of light, every milestone, and every moment of wonder. Childhood is worth celebrating and we are grateful to do that every single day, together.
Tell us a little about your family, community or what “home” means to you.
Home, for us, has never been about a building or a specific address. It is where the people are. We learned this in the most profound way through the loss of our beloved Palisades campus. When the familiar walls and playground were gone, what remained was our community. Seeing the same familiar faces that once filled the Palisades streets and the MPS hallways now gathered together in our new location reminded us that this is home. Home is where our teachers, children, and families come together. It is a feeling of safety, comfort, and belonging. After the fire, many of our children also lost their homes. Yet, when they returned to us for the first time, not one child cried at drop-off. They walked through the doors, saw their friends and teachers, and knew instantly—they were home. Home is not defined by walls or a zip code. It’s the love, care, and connections we share with one another. And wherever we are together, we are home.
What’s something unique or special about the Palisades that you’ve experienced firsthand?
We’ve truly experienced what community means from spending our lives in the Palisades. We have know what it was like to run into familiar and friendly faces and watch the children of the community grow up.
Community Favorites
Is/Was there a local business that makes you feel nostalgic or rooted here?
Being a community school, we took full advantage of the local businesses that were within walking distance of MPS. We took the children on many field trips to Gelsons, Norris Hardware, Palisades Vet, the Post Office, the Pumpkin Patch, the Firestation and more! Thinking of the time we took to visit these places, and the time we took to connect the children with their community brings back some of our fondest and most special memories of being in the Palisades.
Who’s the most interesting or inspiring person you’ve met here in the Palisades?
We have had the pleasure of meeting the most amazing families that showed support, loyalty and love and care for our preschool program.
Fire Reflection
What stands out most from your experience?
One aspect that really stood out to us as school administrators is the resilience of young children. Once we brought our community back together just days after the fire, the children were nothing but joyful and excited to be together. The only tears that were shed that day were from us, the adults.
What did the experience teach you about the Palisades or about yourself?
This unfortunate experience has taught us that no matter where we are, our roots will always be in the Palisades and we will do whatever we can to continue to build our community and keep our Palisades spirit going.
A Few Fun Ones
What advice would you give to others — in life, work, or being a good neighbor?
The best advice that we can give to someone going through a similar experience, and something that we are trying to practice and tell ourselves daily is to take deep breaths and when we go to the negative to remind ourselves…”and what if it all works out”.
What’s something about you that would surprise most people?
MPS is the only school that either of us have worked at.
Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
We hope to see ourselves running our beloved preschools together, expanding our community, and greeting our families walking into the blue doors on their first day of preschool in the Palisades.
Business Link
http://www.methodistpreschool.com
