Alexis Delaney
PDN Director
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Alexis Bustamante Delaney is the director of Guadalupe Centers’ Plaza de Niños Preschool. Initially hired as a lead teacher for Plaza de Niños in 1988, she was promoted to serve as the Preschool Director in 1989. In 1991, she was the Director of the Marion Merrell Dow Uncommon Kids Learning Center. Alexis returned to Guadalupe Center in January 2006, to serve again as the Preschool Director.
She received an Associate in Arts degree from Penn Valley Community College and an undergraduate degree in Spanish from St. Mary University, Leavenworth, KS. Alexis continues her education in the field of bilingual education and early learning.
Both her maternal grandparents and parents maintained active roles in service to Guadalupe Center and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Her children Katie, Sean, McCarten and Kellen attended the summer programs and preschool offered at Plaza de Niños. Recently her two grandsons have graduated from the bilingual program.
Plaza de Niños is a nationally accredited bilingual preschool serving the Kansas City, MO community. The preschool is a partner of the federal Head Start program. In 2009, the MO Quality Rating System (QRS) awarded Plaza de Niños its highest rating since 2001, when the preschool first participated. The preschool earned 4 out of 5 stars.
The Plaza de Niños Staff is committed to providing quality education for all children. Alexis is proud to serve a staff dedicated to the educational success of all families who participate in our program.
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Mayela Visconti
Curriculum Specialist
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Hello my name is Mayela Visconti. I studied Pedadogy Education at Normal J. E. Medrano in Chihuahua, Chih. I am currently working on my AA in Early Child Education. I have being working at Plaza de Niños for nine years. I started as an assistant teacher, then progressed to lead teacher. I am currently the Curriculum Specialist, in this role I support the professional development of teaching staff and guide the implementation of our bilingual and bicultural curriculum. Working at Plaza de Niños fills me with great satisfaction. I love the opportunity to work with staff, children and their families during their preschool years.
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Lisa Tamayo
Family Advocate
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My name is Lisa Tamayo and I am the new family advocate for Plaza de Niños. I am from Kansas City, Missouri. I previously worked with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts for seven years in their Accounting Department.
I received my bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University and my masters Degree from Baker. I will be starting my Master’s degree in Conflict Management and Dispute Resolution next February.
My interests are traveling, photography and reading.
I am very excited to become a part of Plaza de Niños and look forward to working with the parents and the Kansas City Community!
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Adrienne Louden
Lead Teacher
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Hello, my name is Ms. Adrienne Louden and I am the lead teacher in the Chapulines room. I have taught early childhood and first grade for a total of 10 years. My credentials are as listed: I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Music from Lincoln University of Missouri. I also hold a teaching certificate from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Missouri. Currently, I am attaining my Masters degree in Education through a cohort program at Lesley University.
My goals for the classroom are to prepare the older children for the kindergarten experience as well provide the basic foundations of development and age appropriate learning experiences for the younger children. My teachings are based on the Missouri Pre-K Standards, Creative Curriculum, and Head Start objectives. I believe children learn through play as well as small and large group settings.
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Patricia Cardenas
Assistant Teacher
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I was born and raised in Coahuila, Mexico. I graduated as a teacher from the "Escuela Normal of Piedras Negras, Coahuila". I served as a teacher at the elementary school "Adolfo Lopez Mateos", in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, and I have been also an independent Spanish teacher.
I believe that early childhood learning is important for the future development of children, but I also feel that the teaching environment shall be friendly and safe without overlooking the discipline. Discipline provides routine for children.
My passion for teaching is a heritage from my father Mr. Enrique Cardenas Garcia, (deceased,) he was a federal school superintendent in Coahuila, Mexico, for more than 30 years, his beginnings were humble, he started as a rural teacher but his accomplishments were recently acknowledged by the Mexican Ministry of Education and one school in Villa de Fuente, Coahuila has been named after him. I feel very honored in sharing this teaching tradition. I am pleased to be part of "Plaza de Niños" because it gives me the opportunity to serve the community.
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Ruthe Jowers
Lead Teacher
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My name is Ruthe Jowers. I have worked with Head Start in New Mexico for seven years and with Early Head Start in New Mexico for two years. I have a CDA (Child Development Associate) for both Head Start and Early Head Start, a bachelors degree in Elementary Education, and a New Mexico State Teaching License.
I have now been with Plaza de Niños for one year. I love my job because I love working with the children and the families. Every day is new and exciting. They keep me young, active, and involved.
Plaza de Niños is an excellent experience for me as well as the families we partner. The staff have all been terrific and I'm glad I found this establishment in which to be employed.
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Adriana Puentes
Assistant Teacher
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My name is Adriana Puentes Gonzalez, I am originally from Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico. I am 29 years old, I am married to Benjamin Briviesca and I have one child, Angel Eduardo, he is 1 year old.
I graduated in 2003 from the Normal School of Torreon, with a BA in Elementary Education, I have more than 3 years of experience working as a lead teacher.
Currently I am working as an assistant teacher at Plaza de Niños. I thank God for allowing me to develop in the work area that I like because working with children is one of the most enriching and that fills me with satisfaction knowing that I'm contributing to the education of men and women of the future.
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Margarita Ramos
Assistant Teacher
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My name is Margarita Ramos, I was born in Jocotepec Jalisco, Mexico. My parents had 10 children and I am the second oldest.
In 1991 I was introduced to child care by my husband's niece. When I started child care I was taking care of infants while attending nigh classes at college to further my education on child development. I have been working with children ever since.
I live in Kansas City, MO and work at Plaza de Niños. I love working with children and continue to further my education in the child development field.
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Laura Vera
Lead Teacher
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My name is Laura Vera, I’m from Mexico City. I am 39 years old. I earned my Child Development Associate and I am currently working on my AAS (Associate in Applied Science).
I have been working with children for the last ten years. I am proud to be a part of the Plaza de Niños teaching team.
Children have been my passion and inspiration for many years. If I can spark the interest and love of learning in just one child, I've succeeded.
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Yukiko Wright
Lead Teacher
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Hello, my name is Yukiko Wright. I am from Japan and I have been living in Kansas City, Missouri for three years. I have had experience teaching children ranging from infants to elementary school students. I was an English teacher in Japan and I always loved to see the childrens’ curious eyes and smiles in the classroom. I am so excited to have
this opportunity to work in Plaza de Niños Preschool.
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Kathy Steenhusen
Lead Teacher
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My name is Kathleen Steenhusen and I also go by Kathy. I was born in Kansas City. Missouri and I were raised in Independence, Missouri. I live in the Historic North-East area of Kansas City, Missouri.
I am married. My husband Kirk and I have been married for eighteen years. My interests are gardening, shopping, my church family, and spending time with family and friends.
My educational experience is I received an Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education from Penn Valley Community College in 1985 and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Child and Family Studies from Park University in 2003. I have twenty-six years teaching experience as an Early Childhood Educator.
It is my belief that education should give children many opportunities to communicate their thoughts, desires, and feelings.
In an Early Childhood classroom learning should mostly be child initiated. I believe that when children are aloud to make a positive contribution in the classroom it builds their self-esteem, teaches them how to communicate verbally, and helps them develop social skills with one and another.
My goals for the classroom are to have a safe and learning environment for each child to construct knowledge, to develop new concepts, skills, and respect social and cultural diversities of each child and the families that they represent.
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Raquel Cervantes
Assistant Teacher
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My name is Raquel Cervantes. I am originally from Penjamo, Guanajuato, Mexico. I am married with five children, nine grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
I have being working for Plaza de Niños for six years. My responsibility is to assist the teachers in any area of education and at the same time, I have the opportunity to meet each child and their family. I enjoy seeing the progress of children during their stay at Plaza de Niños.
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Sheila Robinson
Lead Food Service Worker
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