Meet the OCAEYC Board
The OCAEYC Board is comprised of Executive Board Members and Board Members at Large. Board Meetings are open to the community and if you are interested in volunteering with one of our committees please reach out to that person or contact the Director.
Monique Rico, M.A.Ed.
President
Monique began her career as an ROP student and has over twenty years of experience in the early childhood education field. Her professional experience includes teaching in private faith-based and public early learning programs. Currently, Monique serves as a high school teacher for Coastline ROP, where she imparts her expertise in child development and early childhood education. In her role, she has developed a new pathway for early childhood education at Costa Mesa High School.
This innovative program bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world experience by facilitating partnerships with local preschools and transitional kindergarten programs, in collaboration with the Newport Mesa Unified School District. She enjoys sharing her passion and knowledge and guiding aspiring students toward fulfilling careers in the child development and early childhood education fields.
She believes in the power of education to inspire and shape the lives of young learners, and she takes pride in nurturing a new generation of professionals dedicated to serving the youngest members of their community. Monique holds a Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education, and a Career Technical Education Credential in Education, Child Development, and Family Services.
Dr. Chery Sosa
Past President
Past President
Dr. Cheryl Sosa is currently the Director of Accountability and Equity for the Westminster School District. Her background includes serving as an Elementary School Principal and Early Childhood Education Coordinator for the Orange Unified School District. In her role of ECE Coordinator, Dr. Sosa was responsible for the district’s Learning Links, State Preschool and Fee for Service child development programs. As a practitioner, Dr. Sosa is committed to positively impacting social and emotional development of young children, providing inclusive, high quality education to all children, and aligning systems. Dr. Sosa’s education includes a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Teaching and Learning in a Global Society, and a Doctorate in Education, with a focus on Organizational Leadership. She also holds a Program Director permit, Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a Clear Administrative Services Credential. In addition to her daily work, Dr. Sosa continues to support children, families and teachers by serving as a subject matter expert for WestEd, participating on pivotal committees such as the CDE/CDSS Whole Child Community Equity Workgroup and as the President of OCAEYC. In her spare time, Dr. Sosa enjoys watching her daughter play water polo, going to Disneyland and spending quality time with her friends and family.
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Lauralee Cabibi
Treasurer
My name is Lauralee Cabibi, and I have dedicated the past 30 years to the field of Early Childhood Education. My career began as a Speech Pathologist, where I worked in both a private clinic and later in public education. During this time, I supported students from preschool through fifth grade, providing comprehensive speech and language services to meet diverse learning needs. Approximately eight years into my work within the district, I collaborated on a grant to establish a new preschool facility. I initially served as the Speech Pathologist for the center and later transitioned into the role of Assistant Coordinator, where I expanded my leadership responsibilities and gained valuable experience in program development and administration.
For the past 21 years, I have served as the Principal of the Tustin Unified School District’s Kindergarten Readiness Program, which supports three- and four-year-old preschool students. In this role, I have overseen all aspects of early learning programs, including curriculum and instruction, staff hiring, grant writing, Transitional Kindergarten implementation, DRDP assessments, Inclusion, and professional development. Additionally, I have led the district’s participation in Quality Start OC, resulting in all preschool sites earning a five-star rating.
Throughout my career, I have remained deeply committed to building high-quality early learning environments that support young children, families, and educators. My experience as both a clinician and an educational leader has allowed me to approach early childhood education holistically, ensuring that programs are developmentally appropriate, data-informed, and grounded in best practices. This dedication continues to guide my work as I strive to create strong foundations for lifelong learning.
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Allyson Ventura
Secretary
I care deeply about creating safe, inclusive spaces where children, families and now future educators feel seen and capable.
With 12 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, I’ve taught at various kinds of programs with different approaches and methodologies serving diverse communities.
In higher education, I translate those experiences into practical, engaging lectures and labs for my students. I’m at my best when I’m designing creative learning experiences, building strong teams, communicating clearly, solving problems with evidence along with empathy, leading with steadiness and respect.
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Poly Pantelidou, M. Ed.
VP of Membership
Poly Pantelidou holds a BA in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College and a Master's in Education with a specialization in Early Childhood Leadership from Brandman University. Poly started out working with children in high school in an ROP course which ended up influencing her that she wanted to work with preschool age children. With over 30 years of experience in the early childhood education field, Poly has served in numerous roles, including teacher, Director, Program Director, Senior Field Recruiter, and On-boarding and Trainer for a for-profit company. Since 2017, Poly has been an Associate Professor in the Child Development and Education Department at Saddleback College. Additionally, she also taught at San Diego Miramar College as an Assistant Professor and at UMass Global as a University Supervisor for ECE Practicum. Teaching higher education has been a goal for Poly because of the great professors and mentors she had as a student. She enjoys giving back to the field of child development and encouraging and mentoring new ECE educators. Passionate about early childhood education, Poly also volunteers working with young children. In her spare time Poly enjoys spending quality time with their own children at the beach.
Keisa Jones
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Chair
A transformative leader in early childhood education, Keisa Jones's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is evident in her extensive work within early childhood education. Throughout her two decades of service, from her beginnings as a preschool teacher to her current role as Education Manager with Orange County Head Start, she has consistently focused on creating inclusive learning environments.
Her Bachelor's Degree in Child Development and Administration from CSU Los Angeles has provided a strong foundation for her efforts in supporting intentional teacher training and professional development, specifically designed to help educators celebrate diversity and foster holistic growth in their classrooms.
Keisa's leadership is defined by her collaborative approach and her unwavering belief in the potential of every child, driving her dedication to ensuring equitable access to high-quality early learning experiences for all children and families.
Wilhelmina (Willie) Burghard
Membership Services
Wilhelmina “Miss Willie” Burghard has been in the field of Early
Childhood Education since 1980 in various capacities and is
NAEYC member ID#2. She currently holds a Master's in Education
with a specialization in Early Childhood Leadership from California
State University, Long Beach and has California Director’s Permit.
Since 2004 Willie has been a Professional Growth Advisor for
Orange County stipend programs and is currently working with the
OCDE Workforce Stipend Program mentoring current and future
educators. Willie has been heavily involved in the National
Education Association as a state delegate for California Teachers
Association at the NEA’s Representative Assembly. She has been a
Communications Chair and the Rules and Elections Chair for her
local Garden Grove Education Association as well as a Site Rep for
State Preschool Teachers in her district. Due to her advocacy for
State Preschool teachers she helped make financial gains, contract
enhancements and promoted the status of an often overlooked group
of teachers. Prior to GGUSD Willie has worked in ECE for the
Department of the Navy, Head Start, private for profit centers and
owned a Family Child Care Center in her home. She has been a
State Preschool for Garden Grove Unified for the last 24 years and
has earned awards by OCAEYC as an Outstanding Professional and
Outstanding Professional Growth Advisor. She looks forward to working with OCAEYC as the Advocacy and Public Policy Chair
and keeping its members informed!
Dr. Gayle Bentley
Board Development Chair
Dr. Gayle Bentley is a highly accomplished leader in gifted education who brings 26 years of teaching experience in preschool through grade 12 classrooms. With a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) and a gifted certification, Dr. Bentley works closely with families, provides regular teacher training in gifted education, and holds significant national leadership roles, including serving as President of SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted).
Her expertise is recognized globally, leading her to present at gifted conferences worldwide, including prestigious sessions at Harvard, Stanford, Greece, and this year in Dublin, Ireland.
Dr. Bentley is also the co-author of "Using Picture Books to Help Little Ones Learn About Themselves", a book that highlights the crucial role of connection in promoting the social and emotional development of young children.
She firmly believes that young children who show gifted characteristics have distinct needs that must be addressed through an environment rich in discovery, play, and deep project-based learning opportunities aligned with their strengths and interests. This fall, she will open Ivy Gate Preschool for Gifted Learning in Laguna Woods, a unique environment for children ages 2-5 who need added depth and complexity to their early childhood education.
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Nikita Ganatra
Fund Development Chair
Nikita Ganatra is an educator, entrepreneur, and community builder whose work spans early childhood policy, nonprofit leadership, and small business ownership across Orange County. As Fund Development Chair for OCAEYC, she brings a track record of building coalitions, securing partnerships, and translating community needs into sustained resources for children and families.
Community & Nonprofit Leadership
Nikita's engagement with early childhood advocacy runs deep. She has served on the Orange County Early Childhood Policy Framework Task Force and volunteered with Early Childhood Orange County's Resource Development Committee — experience directly aligned with the fund development work she now leads at OCAEYC.
She also collaborated with Swami Ishwarananda at Chinmaya Mission to help create the building blocks of what is now Chinmaya Early Education Program (CEEP) and its curriculum in Tustin.
Her civic involvement extends to the City of Lake Forest's General Plan Committee and Executive Leadership Council, where she helped shape policy affecting local families. She has organized cultural events across Lake Forest and Tustin. Within Soroptimist International of Saddleback Valley, she has served as Public Awareness Chair and continues to be a decade long member, supporting the organization's mission of economic empowerment for women and girls through education and training.
Nikita's dedication to community service has been publicly recognized: she was named a 2023 Woman of Distinction by the City of Lake Forest and County of Orange, and selected as one of Senator Steven Choi's 2025 Women of Distinction award recipients.
Professional Background
Nikita has owned and directed Kumon Math and Reading Center of Foothill Ranch since 2013, building the center into a trusted academic resource for families across Saddleback Valley Unified, Irvine Unified, and Capistrano Unified school districts, and supporting more than 1,300 student subjects over the past 13 years. Her individualized approach to instruction — meeting each student at a "just right" level — has earned consistent praise from parents, including for the innovative remote-learning strategies she implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, pivoting for pandemic needs of families.
She holds a Master's degree in Secondary Education, Multiple and Single Subject Teaching Credentials from California State University, Fullerton, and a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies.
Looking Ahead
Nikita brings this full arc of experience — classroom teaching, small business leadership, and sustained early childhood advocacy — to her role as Fund Development Chair, where she is focused on building the partnerships and resources that allow OCAEYC to expand its impact across Orange County.
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Devan Upchurch
Social Media Chair
Devan Upchurch has worked in the field of early childhood education for over 15 years. Her experience includes 10 plus years as a preschool teacher, administrative and leadership roles in child care centers, and teaching Child Development and Education courses at Orange Coast College.
Drawing from her years in the classroom and in program leadership, Devan helps future educators connect child development theory to meaningful, real-world practice. She is passionate about inspiring her students to create nurturing, developmentally appropriate learning environments that support children’s curiosity, creativity, relationships, and sense of wonder.
Devan holds a Master’s Degree in Leadership in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Science in Child and Adolescent Development. She is committed to supporting early childhood professionals and advocating for high-quality care and education for children, families, and communities.
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Noelle Cooke
Professional Development Chair
Noelle Cook is an Educational Consultant and Subject Matter Expert with Teaching Strategies who specializes in coaching, leadership development, and designing innovative professional learning experiences for early childhood educators.
She is passionate about creating engaging, practical opportunities that inspire educators and strengthen outcomes for children.
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Nelly Galeana
Family Childcare Chair
Nelly Galeana is an Early Childhood Educator with expertise in Montessori methodology and with a deep commitment to nurturing children through authentic Montessori principles.
With a background and extensive experience guiding young learners, she supports adults who works with children with detail prepared environments where children develop independence, confidence, and a genuine love for learning.
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OCAEYC Staff
Dr. Kristina H. Atler PhD
Director
Dr. Kristina H. Atler PhD holds her doctoral degree in Leadership and Advocacy in Nature Based Education. She is the proud director of OCAEYC and prioritizes the mission and vision in all of her initiatives. She has been in Early Childhood Education for 25 years and values the meaningful learning experiences available in Early Childhood Education. She earned both her administrative and multiple subjects teaching credentials. Over the past two years, she served on the board as the OCAEYC professional development committee chair before moving on to the director role.
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