Our Staff

Hi, I’m Bernice Gonzalez, and I’ve spent the last 30 years following my passion for Early Childhood Education. As the Director of Seaside Costa Mesa Preschool, I am dedicated to creating a nurturing, high-quality environment where children feel safe to explore and families feel truly supported. I lead with a focus on respect and inclusion, believing these early years are the vital foundation for a child’s lifelong success. My approach centers on empowering our teachers through mentorship and teamwork to ensure our classrooms stay engaging and developmentally appropriate. I am a firm believer in building strong, meaningful partnerships with parents to help every child reach their full potential. It’s such an honor to be a part of your child’s early learning journey, and I look forward to working together to help them thrive. By supporting our educators and maintaining high standards, I ensure our school remains a warm community rooted in growth, curiosity, and genuine care.

Hello, I’m Ms. Alisa! This is my 4th year at Seaside. I graduated from CSULB with a Bachelor’s in Child Development. With my experience, Outside of school, I love running, spending time with my loved ones (esp. my dog Evie), and exploring neighboring cities. I also love to bake and cook. My favorite colors are neutrals, coral, and purple!

I’m so excited to welcome you and your children to a brand-new school year! My name is Mrs. Yuri, and I am the Spanish Teacher at Seaside. I majored in Liberal Studies with a Minor in Human Development from CSUDH. I am truly thrilled to meet all my new little friends and begin a year full of learning, discovery, and growth.

This will be my 14th year in education and my 8th year as a toddler preschool teacher. Teaching is my passion, and I find so much joy in watching young children grow, learn, and reach important milestones.

Outside the classroom, I’m a proud wife and a mama to four amazing children. My family inspires me every day, and I bring that same love and dedication into my teaching. I can’t wait to get to know each of your children and work together with you to make this a fun, nurturing, and memorable year!

Hi! I’m Alicia Barajas, and I’m a passionate educator dedicated to helping young children grow and thrive in a nurturing environment. With a background in Early Childhood Studies and extensive experience in classroom management, I focus on creating safe, engaging spaces where every child feels confident to explore. My teaching approach is rooted in providing developmentally appropriate experiences, whether I’m working with infants or preschool-aged learners. I also bring specialized skills in special education and behavior management to ensure our classroom remains inclusive and supportive for all students. I truly value building strong, collaborative partnerships with families to support each child’s unique learning journey. It’s a joy to use my bilingual skills and curriculum knowledge to help our little ones reach their full potential every day. I’m so excited to be a part of your child’s early education and to watch them succeed!

Hi! My name is Mrs. Jennifer and I’m so excited to be a part of Seaside! I’m currently in college, majoring in Child Development, and I have a deep passion for helping children learn and grow. In my free time, I love spending time with my husband and our Doberman dog, Nitro. I also enjoy cooking, baking, and going to the gym. My favorite color is pink!

Hi! I’m Ariel Wang, and I’m a dedicated educator with a passion for creating engaging and personalized learning experiences for my students. With an M.A. in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language and a background in Toy Design, I love bringing creativity and activity-based teaching into the classroom. My approach focuses on thematic and spiral teaching methods, ensuring that every lesson is tailored to a student’s specific proficiency level and needs. I incorporate Social Emotional Learning (SEL) strategies and scaffolded instruction to build a positive environment where language development can truly thrive. Communication is key to me, and I pride myself on maintaining clear partnerships with parents to monitor progress and adjust learning plans together. Whether I’m teaching Mandarin or English, I emphasize accurate pronunciation and provide a strong foundation for lifelong learning. It’s a privilege to use my diverse skills and educational background to help every child reach their full potential. I look forward to working together to support your child’s unique and successful learning journey!

With over 30yrs of experience with preschoolers, Mrs Wheaton is excited to join the Seaside team from Cypress Early Explorers Preschool. She is a dedicated grandmother and loves to spend all her time with her kids and fiance.

Hello, I’m Ms. Julianna! I was previously the teacher for the Teal room. Currently, I’m finishing up my last year of schooling for my associate degree in Early Childhood Education at Orange Coast College. It’s important to me to help preschoolers grow through interactive and engaging activities that spark their curiosity and creativity. I’m looking forward to supporting your little ones as they learn and thrive!