Brianne Naiman

PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR

Hello! I am excited to be part of the Westwood Presbyterian Church Preschool at such a pivotal time. I grew up in Los Angeles and have fond memories of my own early childhood experience. My love of art and admiration for children was the driving force in my decision to go into education. I have worked in education for almost 20 years, teaching art, preschool, mentoring, developing curriculum, and as an administrator. I hold a BFA from California College of the Arts, where I studied illustration and education, and a master’s in early childhood education from Pacific Oaks.

 

It is a great privilege to be guiding WPC Preschool as we continue to serve the families on the westside and honor the mission of the church. I love working with our parents and family members to support a child as they realize who they are and what they are capable of. Part of my continued passion is to ensure that children have the opportunity to be part of a diverse community of learners where curriculum is developed based on the interest of the children and infused with strong community values. In my spare time I enjoy painting and walking Monty, my adorable dog.

Taj Anders

CURRICULUM SPECIALIST

I am thrilled to be joining this wonderful community as the new Curriculum Specialist. I can't wait to meet each and every one of you and work together to provide the best possible education and care for your children.

 

With over 23 years of experience working with toddlers and preschoolers, I truly believe in the power of early childhood education and the importance of social-emotional development. My passion lies in creating learning environments that foster curiosity, creativity, and exploration. I have spent my career developing curriculum and programs that are not only engaging and fun for children, but also grounded in research-based practices that support healthy development. I had the fortunate opportunity to participate in a Reggio Emilia Study Tour in Italy to gain a deeper understanding of their pedagogy and what it means to apply this wealth of knowledge to my daily work with children, teachers and families. I received my Bachelors of Science in Child Development with a minor in Psychology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

 

I grew up in Oaxaca, Mexico, and raised my son in San Luis Obispo. I’m now back to LA where I enjoy going to the beach, hiking, art, playing pool and my two cats.

 

Teachers

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Office Staff

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Additional Staff

  • javier

    Maintenance/Handyman

    Hi my name is Javier Torres. I’ve been at WPC Preschool for 19 years and do everything from maintaining the preschool and the church, managing security, and general handyman tasks. My favorite part of the job is interacting and having fun with the children while I work. I have a beautiful wife and daughter and two grown sons. When I’m not working I like to relax at home with my family.

     

  • Joshua

    Joshua Torres started at WPC officially as our back-up custodian this summer. Joshua is the son of Javier and Lourdes Torres so he has years of experience volunteering around the church for special projects and on summer vacations. In his spare time, Joshua enjoys cooking, relaxation, hiking, and all sorts of outdoor activities. You may see Joshua around the Preschool from time to time filling in for his mom or dad!

  • Lourdes

    Hi my name is Lourdes and I’ve been at Westwood Pres. for almost 20 years. Along with my husband, Javier, I help maintain the preschool and the church, and do shopping for supplies and snack. I love what I do here and I really enjoy seeing the children every day.

     

    Javier and I have a daughter and two sons. We also have two granddaughters, one who came to preschool here. When I am home I love cooking and baking for my family.