Teachers & Staff

Sonia Fleck: Lead Teacher Teenzy Turtles
Sonia is a new teacher at Bethel. She is originally from Columbia, where she studied Early Childhood Education and received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees. She has a son about to enter seventh grade. Sonia’s experience extends from teaching three year olds how to read and write to teaching toddlers how to sit and participate in a circle time for thirty minutes. She is extremely dedicated to each child’s development in her class. Sonia has over 13 years experience as a preschool teacher.

Annie Coria: Lead Teacher Busy Bees
Annie was born Los Angeles, but raised and still resides in Burbank, Ca. She joined us in the spring of 2010 as a Wise Owl assistant teacher, moving over to the Busy Bees shortly after to replace Teacher Erica who left on maternity leave. Her family ran an in-home daycare for several years. Annie has also taught in other church preschools and been an acting Director in preschools. With over twenty years of experience, she has come to Bethel to make this her home. Annie is pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree.

Debbie Van Ausdal: Master Teacher Friendly Fireflies
Native of Los Angeles. Debbie’s career working with young children began shortly after her marriage over 35 years ago. Teaching at Sunshine Nursery School in Sunland/Tujunga area began a 30 year relationship as Lead Teacher working with all age groups, 2 to 5 years old and specializing in the last few years as the Pre-K teacher. Debbie did her course work in Early Childhood Education at Glendale College.

Heather Comer: Lead Teacher Wise Owls
Heather was born in Orange County. She spent her formative years in Iowa and Boston, Mass. She has two Bachelors Degrees from Salem State University, one in Education and another in Sociology, and a minor in Youth Ministry. Heather loves children and has worked in many different educational settings including an after school program in Reseda, Ca., children’s home in Orange County, in elementary schools, preschools and other churches. She is a Friendly Firefly teacher and loves working with the three year old creative mind.

Brittany Brown was born in Tarzana, Ca. She attended Bethel Preschool and Elementary and is currently attending Pierce College. She is working toward a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Brittany has worked with younger children since early adolescence. She has a deep love of children and their educational and creative process. Brittany was one of our afternoon teachers, and now teaches in our busy bee and turtle classroom.

Candice Burgess: Candice was born in Santa Monica and has lived in the valley the majority of her life. She has a BA in psychology from Bowie State University in Maryland. Candice has worked with us over her summer breaks for the last two years and we were lucky to get her on staff following her graduation. She is a teacher in our Fire Fly Classroom.

TEACHER ASSISTANTS

Aura Perez: was born in Los Angeles California, and has grown up in and around the San Fernando Valley. She is the aide in our Wise Owl Class. Aura is an early childhood education Master's Student at CSUN. She aspires to one day be a director of an ECE program and is well on her way. Aura loves working with children. She is bilingual, creative, crafty, and has one of the sweetest dispositions you will ever meet.

Brenda Sandoval: is an early childhood education student at Pierce College. She has worked in multiple preschools. She loves working with children and sees preschool education as essential in the development of children. Brenda loves being creative and is passionate about education. She is our floating Aide.