Our teachers are certified and experienced in the field of Early Childhood Education. We believe that the most important qualification of a staff member is a genuine and visible love for children.

Director

Mary Lopez

My name is Mary Lopez and I have been the Director of Little Angels Preschool since its opening in September 2002. I graduated from the Early Childhood Education Program at Santa Barbara City College and am First Aid and CPR certified.

I worked as a teacher/director for 13 years at another local preschool that closed and many years teaching preschool before that. I am one of the founding staff members of Little Angels and so proud of it! I have worked with many of the teachers for years, even before Little Angels. I feel so blessed to have been able to stay together all these years.

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Ladybug 2/3 yrs

Cindy Ornelas

My name is Cindy Ornelas and I am the Lead Teacher in the Ladybug Room. I graduated from the Early Childhood Education Program at Santa Barbara City College. I am also First Aid and CPR certified.

I have worked with Mary Lopez and many of the other teachers for over 20 years.

I started the Ladybug Room many years ago at another preschool and when the school closed, helped open Little Angels and continued the Ladybug Class here. I am proud to be working with children for so many years, in a career that I truly love.
 

MADISON

My name is Maddie and I am a teacher in the Ladybug Class. This will be my fourth year teaching, but my second here at LAPS! I graduated from both Humboldt State University with a BA in Child Development as well as Santa Barbara City College with three AA degrees. I absolutely love teaching and have fun doing it! I am also CPR and First Aid Certified.
 

MAYRA

My name is Mayra and I am the Assistant in the Ladybug Classroom. I am a student at Santa Barbara City College studying Early Childhood Education. I am also enrolled in an online Dental Assisting Program in hopes to someday become a dental assistant. Who knows, maybe a pediatric dental assistant? I am also CPR and First Aid certified.
 

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Bumblebee 3/4 yrs

Rosa ACOSTA

My name is Rosa and I am the Lead Teacher in the Bumblebee Class. I have been at Little Angels since 2009 and love it! I graduated with an AS Degree in Early Childhood Education from Santa Barbara City College and I have an AA degree in Liberal Arts as well. I am also First Aid and CPR certified.
 

Katy

My name is Katy and I am a teacher in the Bumblebee class. I've worked in a school setting since 2006 with preschool aged children up to second grade. I've enjoyed working with the different ages but enjoy the preschool years the most. I am so blessed to be part of LAPS and always look forward to being a part of a child's learning experience and growth. I am also First Aid and CPR certified.
 

Angelica

My name is Angelica and I am the Assistant in the Bumblebee Class. I was born and raised in Santa Barbara and wouldn’t have wanted to grow up anywhere else! I have taken a few classes in Early Childhood at SBCC and am now an Education minor at UCSB, with the goal of getting my elementary teaching credential. I am also CPR and First Aid certified. I enjoy spending time with my 2 year old niece, and traveling when I can. So far, I’ve been to over 20 countries! I am excited to be working at Little Angels and getting to know all of you and your children!
 

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Butterfly 4/5 yrs

Dolores Soto

My name is Dolores Soto and I am the Lead Teacher in the Pre-Kindergarten Class (the Butterflies). Teaching at Little Angels is a dream come true. I attended the Early Childhood Education Program at Santa Barbara City College and I am First Aid and CPR certified.

I taught at another local preschool for eight years. I knew Mary Lopez for many years and was thrilled when I was able to join the LAPS team in 2003 and take over the Butterfly Class.
 

ROSALIE

My name is Rosalie and I am one of the teachers in the Butterfly Class. I started teaching with Dolores Soto in 1998 as an assistant at another local preschool, then started teaching here at Little Angels in 2003. I left and spent 4 years teaching at another local preschool but returned to LAPS in 2018 to my former position. I took Early Childhood courses at SBCC and received my Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of La Verne. I am CPR and First aid certified.
 

Jessica

My name is Jessica and I am the Assistant in the Butterfly Class. I'm currently a student at SBCC studying Early Childhood Education. I have worked with school aged children the past two years, and am looking forward to working with and learning about children a bit younger! I am CPR and First Aid certified.
 

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