Our Team
Neighborhood Christian Preschool Staff Members are dedicated professionals who guide children through their young educational journey. We provide spiritual, physical, emotional, and cognitive learning experiences. In addition, we create positive, caring relationships with our young children and their families in hopes of developing bright young minds and contributing members of our community.
At NCP we are continually working to further develop our professional skills and knowledge by attending on-campus training, conferences, college courses, professional growth advising, and working with consultants within the Early Childhood Education field.
In addition to Neighborhood Christian Preschool’s Staff continuing education, we are all trained in First Aid/CPR, fire and earthquake preparedness, lockdown procedures, and SmartCare Communication. Staff qualifications include California Child Development Permits, quarterly ECE units, A.A., B.A., and Master’s education.
Julie Scian
Master Teacher
Ms. Julie has worked with young children from infants to six years old since 1999 and with Neighborhood Christian Preschool since 2011. For many years, she has strived to create a safe environment for children and build a solid Christian foundation by teaching her students about Jesus. Ms. Julie is inspired when children grasp a new concept, and she sees the joy light up in their faces, especially during circle time when they sing songs, pray for the day, and welcome each child to the circle.
Ms. Julie loves the Lord, the outdoors, hiking, the ocean, animals, and going to hockey games. Go Sharks!
Maritza Cruz
Infant Lead Teacher
Ms. Maritza began working with young children in 2008, when she fell in love with caring for infants. Over the years, she had worked with all different ages but went back to working with infants when she came to NCP in 2017. Ms. Maritza continues her Early Childhood Education by completing her continuing education units and maintaining a Child Development Permit. She spends her free time with her husband, serving with other ministries.
Ms. Maritza is inspired to work in early childhood education because she is making a difference in the lives of her students and their families. She loves watching the children play in the courtyard each afternoon.
Paula “Pinky” Trapse
Preschool 2 Lead Teacher
Ms. Pinky began her teaching career volunteering in her church’s Kindergarten class while in college. Officially, she started working in the Early Childhood Education field in 2019, working with mainly two and three-year-olds, and joined NCP in 2020 as our Preschool 2 Lead Teacher. She holds a BA in Mass Communication and a Masters of Arts in Language Teaching and is more than eager to spread her knowledge to us. Ms. Pinky also holds the Child Development Site Supervisor Permit.
Ms. Pinky finds it fulfilling and inspiring to be a part of a child’s achievements. She feels blessed to offer guidance and support during these crucial years in their young lives. Her favorite part of the day is watching her students explore the world around them during outdoor play. She loves that she can support them in their problem-solving and social and emotional skills through their explorations.
Ms. Pinky’s philosophy is, "She cannot give what she does not have.” Naturally, this fuels her desire to further her education.
Ms. Dianna Pugal
Master Teacher
Ms. Dianna started her journey as a teacher at Neighborhood Christian Preschool in 1995, and she has been with us ever since, leading our Morning Chapel and Prayer. In addition to her many years of experience, Ms. Dianna also holds 12 ECE credits from Deanza and SJ City.
She believes in setting a positive example while teaching children healthy boundaries using God’s word and prayer and is passionate about seeing a young child’s life change. Her favorite part of the day is being silly with the children and seeing their faces light up when they read Bible stories together.
Kathy Shea
Teacher
Ms. Kathy started working in the Early Childhood Education field in 1993 and with NCP in 2020. She has been a follower of God for over 30 years and enjoys teaching the children about God and his unconditional love. Ms. Kathy loves spending time with her husband and dog, Nutmeg, and going on day trips to the coast.
Ms. Kathy is inspired to teach by watching her students grow through different developmental stages and thrive while doing so.
Suzanne “Suzy” Guerra
Teacher
Ever since Ms. Suzy was a young girl, she loved being around children and was inspired by her first and second-grade teachers to become a teacher herself. Then in 1998, she made her dream a reality and taught at a center for thirteen years before it closed. After, she happily joined NCP in 2015.
Ms. Suzy graduated from San Jose City College with an A.S. and a certificate in Early Childhood Education. She also holds a California Teacher Permit and continues attending programs to learn something new each day! In her free time, she enjoys going to church, reading the Bible, watching sports (Go Sharks!), and spending time with her family, especially her three brothers and two sisters.
Ms. Suzie’s favorite part of the day is experiencing her students’ warm, wonderful greetings at the start of the day and watching the children play and interact with friends.
Angelique “Angel” Hollstrom
Assistant Teacher
Ms. Angel has been with NCP since 2021 and is currently working towards her teaching license. She also has volunteer experience, including working with children through programs such as VBS with her church, working directly under the Kids’ Pastors, and completing two years of an Outreach Class through Valley Christian High School, where she tutored and volunteered for afterschool programs.
Ms. Angel is inspired to work in the Early Childhood Education field because she knows the importance of creating a safe environment with a Godly foundation for the children. She believes it is an honor to instill the values of love, kindness, equality, and selflessness into them. Being a Disney lover, Ms. Angel’s favorite part of the day is watching the children’s imaginations at work while they are in free play!
Wendy Terry
Substitute Teacher
Ms. Wendy started working with young children from an early age, helping her mom out where she had worked. Her love for teaching grew, and she began working and volunteering with Kindergarteners and other young children in 2002. Ms. Wendy holds a degree in Early Childhood Education from De Anza and happily served in her church’s Sunday School Ministry.
In 2010, Ms. Wendy joined Neighborhood Christian Preschool as a Substitute Teacher, helping out whenever possible. She is inspired to work with young children because she has the opportunity to creatively expand their minds and interact with the children as they develop.