Our Staff
Our program offers 5 classrooms, each targeted to a specific age range to provide the most appropriate and nurturing environment for each child. Each room has dedicated staff to support the needs of the class. HPCC is led by our devoted Director, Pam Tuszynski and Office Manager, Lorrie Work.
Classrooms: Circle, Triangle, Star, Diamond, Square
Circle Room
Evet Hovsepian
I have been in the childcare field since 1998. I received my education from CSUN with my BA in child development. While attending college, I got experience by working at different schools. I started working at HPCC in November of 2004. I have been a teacher’s assistant in both the Diamond and Star rooms. Since 2007 I have been co-teaching in both the older rooms and at present, I am teaching the two-year-olds in the Circle Room.
Guadalupe Flores
I have an AA Degree in Child Development and have worked at HPCC since 2001. I have enjoyed working here with the children every single moment and consider this my second home. I am married and have three daughters. Stephanie, my oldest attended HPCC for three years. Angelica is currently in the Diamond Room and my youngest, Jamie was born in March 2010. I feel honored and pleased to be part of your child’s growth and development. Thank You!
Patty Gutierrez
I started working at HPCC in September 2007. I have been working in the Circle Room for the past three years. I enjoy working with the two-year-olds because I see their growth and development throughout the year. I am a senior at Cal State Northridge and I am majoring in Child and Adolescent Development. I enjoy working at HPCC and being part of a great community with wonderful children and parents.
Esther Villegas
I attended LA Valley College in Valley Glen CA. I taught 3 year-olds at Valley Recreation Center for three years. I was also a summer camp counselor for children ages 5-9. I’ve worked in the Child Development field for 15 years. It is an amazing field were I get to see children grow emotionally, socially and physically. That is what makes it so rewarding. I am glad to be a part of HPCC, where I have had an opportunity to grow as a teacher. I have been at HPCC for five years. The HPCC families and co-workers are great.
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Triangle Room
Anita Hakoupians, Lead Teacher (since 2006)
I have been in the Early Childhood field since 1997. My first experience was at St. Mark’s Day school in Glendale. I have been at HPCC since July 2000 and here I am. I have worked with three-year-old children for the past 13 years. It is a stage I love because I like observing and seeing how they learn and grow.
I am very interested in learning different languages especially sign language. I am currently expanding my knowledge of sign language by taking classes. I have used sign language in my classroom for several years. Last year the children learned over 70 signs.
My husband is, Edmond, and we have two adult sons: Sasoon, 23 years old and Sevan, 21 years.
Marina Ponce
I am an educator today because I strongly believe that education is more than intellect, it’s about educating the whole child. My mission as a facilitator started in September 2003, as I enter Cal State LA University and learned about Child Development. I currently hold a BA in Child Development and a preliminary multiple subject credential to teach in an elementary school. I started working at HPCC in August 2007 and have enjoyed the school and curriculum. I have learned that there is no other time in human life when so much can be learned in such a short period of time.
Furthermore, I have been married for more than five years and have a wonderful son Brandon. Everything I am, everything I have, and everything that I will have, I owe it all to God. Children are my life, and every day I encounter different experiences and I am happy to be part of this noble profession.
Cintia Sanchez-Andreozzi
I have been working here at HPCC since 2005, with over 10 years of experience in early Childhood. I was also a Montessori teacher for three years so I am familiar with various programs and have worked with all different age groups. At this moment I am working in the Circle Room with the two-year-olds. I received my education from Pierce College with an AA degree in Child Development. I am married with a beautiful young son named Israel!
Shirley Thomas
Hollywood Presbyterian has been my home church for over 27 years and the place where I developed an interest in working with young children after teaching in the Preschool Sunday School and the Lord’s Lighthouse Ministry Evangelism Program. In the past, I have worked with middle school, high school and college age youth. My husband Woogie and I live in Hollywood and my favorite activities are outdoor exploration, trips to the library, bookstores and beaches.
My education includes a Bachelor of Art Degree in English, Child Development studies at LA City College and a Child Development Permit Credential for a site supervisor from the State of California. I came to HPCC in 2003.
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Star Room
Raquel Carranco – Lead Teacher
I am from Mexico City and I grew up in a convent. I was a teacher’s assistant at the age of 11 years old. That is when I knew I wanted to be a preschool teacher. I worked at Neighborhood Nursery School for 14 years. I have been a teacher at HPCC since 2000. I am a co-lead teacher in the younger four year-old room. All together I have 36 years experience as a preschool teacher. I studied Child Development at UCLA.
I have seven children and eight grandchildren. With such a large family, I learned the importance of having a nurturing and fun loving program in my classroom. I look forward to bonding and getting to know your children.
Maria Renteria
I started working at HPCC in 2001. I began in the Triangle Room and was there for two years. I then moved to the Circle Room where I spent seven years. Two years ago I became a lead teacher and co-taught with Ms. Sandra. I am currently in the Star Room co-teaching with Ms. Raquel. It is a new experience and I am excited and am enjoying the challenge.
I have three grown children and I am a grandmother of seven. I have been married for four years. My granddaughter recently started in the Circle Room.
Cindy Martinez
I have been an early childhood educator since 1997 and began as a Daycare teacher for 2-7 year olds. Over the past 13 years, I have worked in public and private preschools as an associate teacher and lead teacher. My credentials include a Preschool Teacher Certificate and a Child Development Teacher Permit. I enjoy attending educational workshops, so that I can continue to expand my skills and knowledge in child development.
Maria DeLuna
I first came to work at HPCC in 2000 and very soon after left as I was expecting my daughter Bella who is now 9 years old. Three years later, I made a return along with my daughter –who LOVED HPCC. Soon after Bella’s preschool graduation, we received the exciting news that I was expecting my son, A.J. (who is currently in the Star Room). As soon as my son turned three years old, I made a second return to HPCC. The staff, children and families make it a wonderful school to be a part of.
In May of 1998, I received my BA in English from Cal State LA. Not knowing what my next move would be or my career choice, I fulfilled my interest in working with young children. I received 32 units in Early Childhood Education from both Pasadena City College and Pacific Oaks College—also in Pasadena.
Diamond Room
Sara Hinojosa – Lead Teacher
I have been in early childhood education since 1989. My first teaching experiences were with two and three-year-olds and sometime later, I began working with pre-k children, so I have been lucky enough to observe children from a wide range of developmental growth. I began working at St. Mark’s Day School, as an assistant teacher, with 12 units in early childhood education. My interest in children and how they learn motivated me to take classes at night and slowly I acquired enough units to transfer to CSUN where I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I have been working at HPCC since 1999 and am presently the Assistant Director and Co-Lead teacher of the Diamond Room. This year I joined the ranks of “grandmotherhood”. I am the proud mother of two sons and grandmother to one beautiful little girl.
Sandra Larios
I’ve worked at HPCC since 1999. I began as an assistant teacher in the three year old room. I became a lead teacher in the Circle Room for 10 years. Now I’m co-teaching in the Diamond Room with Ms. Sara. I am continuing my education at East LA City College. I was a Sunday School teacher for two years before coming to HPCC. I am married and have four wonderful children. Working at HPCC is a wonderful experience and blessing for me and my family.
Rima Grigoryan
I came from Armenia in 1991. I received my Early Education from Glendale College and Private College. I am married and I have two children. My daughter, Romena, is 16 and my son, Romeo, is nine years old. I have been working with children since 1996. I started at St. Mark’s Day School in Glendale in 1996 when my daughter was two. My children attended school there. I worked there for 10 years. I came to HPCC in 2007. My goal is to be involved with children who are very shy and quiet and need help. I really enjoy working with children.
Lorina Oganova
I came from Russia 16 years ago. I am married and I have one daughter. I have an AA degree in Child Development and I’ve been working with children at HPCC for seven years. I also had experience working with children at a children’s library in Russia. Currently in work in the Triangle Room and I enjoy it.
Square Room
Lidia Giron-Diaz (since Sept. 2007)
I love observing the growth of children which is why one of my passions is teaching. I enjoy knowing that I’m part of a child’s life when they share their love and trust. I’m very spontaneous which is why I like my job since everyday is a new day. I decided to volunteer at a school while attending Job Corps and that’s just how I found my career path. I attended LA City College and started working at HPCC in August 2007. Working at this school has been a pleasure since I’m gaining great experience working with 2-5 year olds. I always have fun with every child because I respect their own being since every child is different. I’m currently working for the Square Room which is the afternoon class. I enjoy it for the fact that it is a small class and I can get more creative.
Annie Reeves
I am very grateful to be part of the HPCC team. I attended Valley College and have been in the child care field. I thoroughly enjoy working with children. I am very blessed to be a part of your child’s life and in their growth and development. In 1989, I became a teacher at Horace Mann’s Children’s Center in Burbank. The teacher I was working with was pregnant and said to me, “I only want you to watch my baby.” She asked if I would consider opening a home daycare. My children were little and I thought that would be a great idea. I opened and managed my own home daycare from 1993 until 1999. During this time, I also worked as a substitute teacher at Disney’s Children’s Center, Burbank Unified School District and Warner Bros. Children’s Center. In 1999 until 2006, I worked as a teacher at Village Christian Pre-school. I re-opened my home daycare center in 2006 until 2011. I have been married since 1984 to my husband Greg. We have two amazing children; our son Greg Jr. and our daughter, Lachelle.
